U.S. General Services Administration
New Federal Court Facilities Coming to Nashville (Tenn.), Charlotte (N.C.), Greenville (S.C.), Anniston (Ala.) and Savannah (Ga.)
ATLANTA — The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is set to begin work on five regional courthouse construction projects identified by the federal Judiciary as their top priorities.
This investment allows GSA to leverage the resources of the agency and the federal government as a whole to foster economic development in local communities where we operate.
“The Federal Courts are a fundamental and indispensable part of our justice system and democracy. The recent funding approved by Congress and signed by President Obama will allow GSA to strengthen the court's ability to fulfill its mission by addressing some key facility and security challenges of our largest federal tenant,” said Torre Jessup, Regional Administrator of the Southeast Sunbelt Region.
Nashville: New U.S. Courthouse
The GSA plan allocates $167,449,000 for site preparation, design and construction of a new, 339,000-square-foot U.S. Courthouse and underground parking spaces. This project received prior appropriations in FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004 totaling $26,095,000.
A new U.S. Courthouse in Nashville will allow for relocation of the court and court-related agencies from the existing facilities located in the Estes Kefauver Federal Building (FB) and Annex. The new courthouse will provide eight courtrooms and 11 chambers to accommodate 11 judges (four active district, three seniors, one visiting, and three magistrate). Other court-related tenants include the District Clerk, U.S. Probation, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S.Marshals Service, Office of the U.S. Attorney and a U.S. Senate Office GSA plans to re-use the Kefauver Federal Building and Annex to house executive agencies that are currently located in leased space, and will complete a feasibility study to determine the appropriate funding request, schedule and implementation of any proposed future project. This project is fully funded and does not need additional authorization.
Charlotte: New Courthouse Annex and Renovation of the Charles R. Jonas Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse
The GSA plan allocates $156,160,000 (for both new construction and repair and alteration) for the design and construction of a new 198,000-square-foot U.S. Courthouse Annex, inside parking spaces, and the repair and alteration of the Charles R. Jonas Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse (Jonas Courthouse) in Charlotte, N.C. This project received prior appropriations in FY 2004 totaling $8,500,000.
The renovation of the existing Jonas Courthouse and construction of a new annex will meet the space requirements of the court and other court related agencies -- including the Federal Public Defender (Trial Prep) and U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service and Office of the U.S. Attorney (Trial Prep)). The project will include 10 courtrooms and 15 chambers to accommodate 15 judges (one Court of Appeals, four active district, four seniors, one visiting, two magistrate, and three bankruptcy).
The Jonas Courthouse was constructed in 1918 and -- due to its age -- major upgrades and the replacement of major building systems are needed to ensure continued operation of the courts and to promote energy efficiency.
Greenville: New U.S. Courthouse
The GSA plan allocates $93,999,000 for site preparation, and the design and construction of a new, 193,000-square-foot U.S. Courthouse and inside parking spaces in Greenville, S.C. This project received prior appropriations in FY2004 totaling $11,000,000.
The new courthouse will provide seven courtrooms and nine chambers to accommodate nine judges (three active district, three seniors, one visiting, and two magistrate,). Other court related tenants include the U.S. Probation, Federal Public Defender (Trial Prep) and the U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service and Office of the U.S. Attorney (Trial Prep)).
Upon completion of the new courthouse, the C.F. Haynsworth Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse will be utilized by several court operations including the Court of Appeals and Bankruptcy Court, as well as Federal agencies currently located in leased space elsewhere in Greenville. GSA will complete a feasibility study to determine the appropriate funding request, schedule and implementation of any proposed future project for the Haynsworth building.
Anniston: New U.S. Courthouse
The GSA plan allocates $38,175,000 for site acquisition, and the design and construction of a new 63,000-square-foot U.S. Courthouse and inside parking spaces in Anniston, Ala. This project received prior appropriations in FY 2004 totaling $4,400,000.
The new courthouse will provide two courtrooms and three chambers to accommodate three judges (one active district, one visiting and one bankruptcy). Other court related tenants include the U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service and Office of the U.S. Attorney (Trial Prep)).
GSA will consider disposal options (ownership transfer or sale) of the existing courthouse upon completion of the new building.
Savannah: New U.S. Courthouse Annex and Tomochichi U.S.Courthouse Renovation
The GSA plan allocates $95,500,000 for design and construction of a 46,000-square-foot annex and inside parking spaces, and the repair and alteration of the Tomochichi U.S. Courthouse in Savannah, Ga. This project received prior appropriations in FY 1995, FY 1996, and FY 2010 totaling $13,497,000.
The Savannah project is predominately for the repair and alteration of the existing courthouse with a portion of the budget for construction of a new annex.
The new courthouse annex and alteration of the Tomochichi courthouse will provide four courtrooms and five chambers to accommodate five judges (one active district, one senior, one visiting, one magistrate, and one bankruptcy). Other court related tenants include the U.S. Department of Justice (U.S. Marshals Service and Office of the U.S. Attorney (Trial Prep)).
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees, and the congressional committees that authorize courthouse construction, must approve the investment plan before construction activities can begin. Solicitations for design, construction and others services will be posted on www.fbo.gov as project plans are finalized. Estimated costs, scopes and schedules are subject to change during the GSA procurement process.
All new courthouses and renovations will be completed in accordance with the U.S. Courts Design Guide, meet the 10-year space needs of the court and court-related agencies, and be consistent with the application of courtroom sharing policies.
Additional Resources
GSA Announces $947 Million Courthouse Investment Plan - GSA News Release (4/18/16)
FY 2016 Funding Meets Judiciary Needs - U.S. Courts Release (12/21/2015)
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