Safety concerns close Dade County Courthouse for repairs
All court business at the 73 W. Flagler Street courthouse will be conducted remotely beginning July 12
The 28-story Dade County Courthouse opened in 1928 and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. When it was opened, it was the tallest building in Miami.
After engineers identified safety concerns, the iconic Dade County Courthouse has been closed for repairs and all court business will be conducted remotely until further notice.
“Out of an abundance of caution in response to the tragedy in Surfside, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Miami-Dade Courts administrators asked engineers to conduct an assessment of all county buildings at the recertification point including the Dade County Courthouse,” according to a joint statement from the mayor, Chief Judge Nushin G. Sayfie, and Miami-Dade Clerk Harvey Ruvin. “The engineer’s report of the courthouse identified safety concerns with various floors and recommended floors 16 and above be closed to staff while repairs are swiftly completed.”
County officials says they are taking “all necessary precautions” and directed all courthouse staff at 73 W. Flagler Street to work from home beginning immediately while the repairs are being completed. Over the last year throughout the pandemic all courthouse staff was already working remotely and only recently returned to the building, and the courts are “moving quickly” to re-activate its remote work plan.
The Miami-Dade Internal Services Department has already assigned a team to begin the work starting immediately, according to the county. The basement area is also undergoing further inspection for any additional necessary repairs.
The 28-story Dade County Courthouse opened in 1928 and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
“As we review county buildings at the recertification point, we will take urgent action to address any pending concerns and urge cities to take similar action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our residents,” the statement said.
All court business at the Dade County Courthouse will be conducted remotely, and judges and court staff based at the Dade County Courthouse will be working remotely starting Monday, July 12, until further notice.
Those who have upcoming court proceedings scheduled in-person at the Dade County Courthouse will receive new notices with instructions for remote access.
For further information on court proceedings, visit the Miami-Dade Courts online at www.jud11.flcourts.org
