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Virtual meeting with staffers touches on all things Iowa

A multi-story glass front building with 5 wooden patches over windows and a wooden roof over a pedestrian pathway.
The exterior of the Cedar Rapids U.S. Courthouse in September 2020 shows temporary plywood over broken windows and a temporary protective structure erected over a pedestrian walkway. Courtesy of Brian Ball

By Alison Kohler

GSA and congressional staffers took time Oct. 1 for a virtual meeting to discuss GSA’s significant ongoing projects in Iowa. Attendees included:

  • Regional Director Adam DoBraska, Office of U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley
  • Regional Director John Hollinrake, Office of U.S. Senator Joni Ernst 
  • District Director Kaity Patchett, Office of U.S. Rep. Cynthia Axne 

GSA Public Buildings Service Regional Commissioner Kevin Rothmier presented a briefing on the restoration of the Cedar Rapids U.S. Courthouse, which sustained significant damage in a derecho storm Aug. 10.

GSA began work immediately to assess damage and award contracts to restore the courthouse. The target date for completion is currently March 2021.

“I am so proud of our team for finding a way to make temporary repairs and put safety precautions in place, so the courthouse could reopen while final repairs are ongoing,” Rothmier said. “This saved time and money by avoiding the need to lease temporary space.”

Rothmier also provided an update on the new Des Moines U.S. Courthouse project.

  • Construction is approximately 11% complete. 
  • The elevated structure is scheduled to go up over the next 8-10 months. 
  • The project is on budget.
  • Substantial completion is still November 2022.

Rothmier confirmed that GSA’s work to transfer the deed for the former Knoxville Veterans Affairs Campus was completed in January.

Senior Advisor Judy Dungan encouraged the attendees to reach out on anything GSA can help with. “We’re always available and look forward to talking with you,” she said.

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Last updated: Oct 2, 2020
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