Ohio to get eco-friendly courthouse

City officials and common pleas court members in Franklin County, Ohio, unveiled plans for the state's first green county courthouse last month. The 300,000-sf building will use high ceilings and its east/west orientation to allow light into courtrooms. The project includes a civic plaza, a green lobby canopy, and outdoor public spaces. LEED certification for the $105 million building will be sought. Groundbreaking is slated for early July, and expected completion is late 2009. The design architect is Architectonica, Miami, Fla., and the construction manager is Gilbane, Providence, R.I.