Jackson County Courthouse

Since the late 1990s BNIM has been involved in facility renovations, upgrades, and master planning of the Jackson County Downtown Courthouse. Most recently, BNIM was retained by the county to assist with evaluation, remediation, and renovation of interior portions of the Downtown Courthouse building that incurred water-related damage from failure in a mechanical room on level 6M. This damage impacted approximately 45,000 GSF on Levels 2, 3, 4, 4M, 5, 5M, 6, and 6M. Affected spaces included multiple courtrooms, judge’s chambers, Division support offices, jury deliberation rooms, public corridors, office suites for Court Administration, Public Administration, and the County Executive. Design efforts were focused upon achieving a high level of harmony for repair and replacement of damaged historic features/finishes, replacement of damaged or obsolete equipment, replacement of damaged non-historic features/finishes and facilitation of building code/life-safety and ADA upgrades.

The Master Plan for the Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City involved an analysis of the entire city block. This impressive art deco structure was built as part of the Works Progress Administration and completed in 1934. Because of the historical significance of the work, the master plan respects the existing historic areas of the site, while taking advantage of the Ilus Davis Civic Mall located to the North.

Jackson County commissioned BNIM to complete Phase I and II of the Courthouse Master Plan. Work included new streetscape, landscape and entry plaza improvements, as well as repairs and improvements to the building’s envelope, including the limestone façade and mortar joints, all the exterior windows, the decorative metal spandrel panels and the roof. Programming included reviewing the circulation needs for the interior of the building, the garage and the site.

To further promote Jackson County’s commitment to sustainability, sustainable landscaping was installed, reducing the need for irrigation and reducing the amount of storm water runoff. The new landscape features bioswale, butterfly garden, buffalo grass lawn and native planting palette.