Tarrant County Downtown Courthouse
Fort Worth, TX
Expertise
- Historical
- Municipal
Services
- civil engineering
- electrical engineering
- land surveying
- mechanical / plumbing engineering
BHB provided complete civil and MEP engineering design services for replacement of the chilled water plant serving the 1895 Tarrant County Courthouse, one of the first structural steel-framed buildings in the Southwestern United States. This project included boring a 30-inch diameter utility tunnel underneath Weatherford Street from the Tarrant County Administration Building to the Courthouse.
The existing chilled water plant serving the courthouse was located in the basement of the adjacent Civil Courts Building. The master plan for the courthouse included relocation of the chilled water plant from the Civil Courts Building, and then demolition of the Civil Courts Building, leaving the 1895 Courthouse alone on the site as it was originally constructed. The chilled water plant will be relocated to the basement of the County Administration Building, approximately 300 feet away on Weatherford Street.
The chilled water plant for the 1895 Courthouse includes two water cooled chillers, two primary chilled water pumps, two variable speed secondary chilled water pumps and two condenser water pumps. The new chilled water mains are routed underground from the north side of the Administration Building to the north side of the Courthouse. This project also included installation of a new cooling tower on the roof of the Administrative Building, adjacent to the existing cooling towers.
Key People
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Austin Baird, PE, LEED AP
Austin Baird, PE, LEED AP
Principal | Senior Civil Engineer
By the time he was in high school, Austin Baird knew he wanted to be an engineer. After graduating high school, Austin began working at BHB in the field on a survey crew. While attending college at the University of Texas, Austin discovered his passion for civil engineering and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 2001.
Austin is now a Principal with experience in design and project management. His experience includes municipal infrastructure, water resources, environmental engineering, drainage systems, transportation, and land development. He has been responsible for the engineering design of water, sewer, paving, and drainage systems, as well as close coordination with local municipalities, counties, TxDOT, TCEQ, and other governing agencies for construction permits, zoning changes, and site planning efforts.
Austin is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, once President of the Fort Worth chapter, and has also served as President of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers Fort Worth Chapter. He is a LEED Accredited Professional and a Certified Professional in Erosion & Sediment Control.
Outside of work, Austin likes to spend time with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two kids, Jackson and Leah. He also enjoys cooking and traveling anywhere with a beach. Austin’s hidden talents include being a self-taught juggler and balloon artist.
Project Experience
Cresson Crossroads Industrial Park
Fort Worth Country Day Lou and Nick Martin Campus Center
Granbury Resort Conference Center
Early Learning Center
Park Hill Surgery Center
Presbyterian Night Shelter Morris Foundation Women & Children's Center
Saint Patrick Cathedral Parish Hall
Tarrant County Downtown Courthouse
TCU Ed & Rae Schollmaier Arena
Education
University of Texas:
Bachelor’s Degree/2001/Civil Engineering
Recognition
