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Final Roofbeam Is Raised For Philadelphia's New Family Courthouse

By Michelle Durham

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A host of dignitaries attended a "topping out" ceremony today for the new Philadelphia Family Court building, at 15th and Arch Streets.

As the final steel beam was hoisted into place atop the 15-story, environmentally friendly building (complete with underground garage), officials were pleased to report that construction is proceeding on time.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court chief justice Ron Castille (photo below), who oversaw the project, was among those attending.

"This is going to be great for the citizens in Philadelphia who use these facilities," he said today.  "Sometimes these are the toughest cases we have in the system, so it will be nice to have an efficient, safe courthouse for them."

castille signs _durham
(Pa. Supreme Court chief justice Ronald Castille adds his name to the final beam going into the new Family Court building. Credit: Michelle Durham)

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Castille says the building has been constructed with the future in mind, so if the volume of cases increases they have the room to process them quickly.

Tishman Construction project executive Mike Siciliano says the courthouse will contain "twenty-nine courtrooms; there will be administrative space, judges' chambers, and the courtrooms are centrally located."

Family Court currently operates out of facilities near 11th and Market Streets, and Juvenile Court from the stately but antiquated building at 18th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

When the new Family Courthouse is completed, all will be under one roof.   The $133-million project is scheduled to open in June 2014.

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