Gerald R. Ford Federal Building and US Courthouse

110 Michigan Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2313
View map [nongovernment site]

Constructed in 1971, the Gerald R. Ford Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, located in the Vandenburg Center Urban Renewal Area on the north edge of downtown Grand Rapids, is named for Gerald R. Ford, former Congressman, Vice President, and 38th President of the United States.

Property Manager: Fred McWain

Public Hours: 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (except federal holidays)

For building services, see contacts above right. For other federal government information, call toll-free 1-844-USA-GOV1.

Public Access

Visitors must undergo security screening and present a valid identity card (see Real ID) before gaining access to the building. Cell phones, cameras, and recording devices are prohibited.

Parking and Public Transportation

No public parking is available onsite. Visitors can park on metered streets or in any of several nearby public pay lots. The Rapid Bus system stops in front of the building, with schedules and route maps available via The Rapid [nongovernment site].

Key Tenants

The building's major tenant is the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. Other tenants include Senator Carl Levin, Congressman Justin Amash, U.S. Marshals Service, Federal Public Defender, Probation and Pre-trial Services, Federal Protective Service, National Labor Relations Board, Veterans Benefits Administration, and Small Business Administration.

Recent Renovations and Awards

The Ford Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse won the prestigious Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy and Water Management Award in July 2012 for its installation of state-of-the-art chillers and an energy-efficient white roof. The building also received ENERGY STAR® designation in 2010 and was presented the Green Building League's Green Business Award for incorporating green practices into building operations.

Art in Architecture

Motu by artist Mark di Suvero is a 35-foot-tall steel sculpture tire swing on the lawn of the Ford building commissioned by the Art in Architecture program in 1977 (photo courtesy of McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc.).