TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Mold Shuts Down Tampa Traffic Court

Crystal L. Lauderdale /Tampa Tribune

The Traffic Department section of the Floriland Mall will close down Monday because of mold.

ADVERTISEMENT

By HOWARD ALTMAN | The Tampa Tribune
and RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 7, 2007

Updated: 09/07/2007 04:14 pm

Photo Gallery

TAMPA - County officials have decided to temporarily shut Traffic Court at the Floriland Business Center because of a mold problem, according to Court Administrator Mike Bridenback.

"There was a potential environmental health problem at the location," he said. "As a result of some air conditioning break down, mold began to appear in the offices of our hearing officer and the courtroom, so we asked county officials to evaluate the situation and we were notified that there was a health risk and to take appropriate action."

All traffic dockets for September 10 through September 14 have been canceled and the more than 2,000 traffic cases will be rescheduled, Bridenback said.

Officials plan to meet early next week to select a temporary location for Floriland traffic court hearings, Bridenback said.
Traffic Court at the downtown location and the Plant City Courthouse is not affected, he said.

The mold problem has also affected the Floriland Traffic Department, said Clerk of the Circuit Court Pat Frank.

"The clerk's office has had significant water intrusion over the past several months and our air conditioning system has worked only intermittently," Frank said. "We share common walls and ceilings with the courts and we made a joint decision to suspend operations."

Customers will still be able to pay traffic citations online at www.hillsclerk.com, by mail, or at satellite offices in Brandon, South Shore and Plant City, Frank said.

Bridenback and Frank said employees have complained of the poor air quality in their departments but none have been seriously ill.

Replacing the air conditioning, repairing the roof and sanitizing the area from the mold growth will take a minimum of four weeks to complete, Bridenback said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT