James M. Ashley & Thomas W. L. Ashley U.S. Courthouse

View of the James M. Ashley and Thomas W.L Ashley U.S. Courthouse.1716 Spielbusch Ave.
Toledo, OH 43604
View map [nongovernment site]

The James M. Ashley and Thomas W. L. Ashley U.S. Courthouse, located at the north end of Toledo’s Civic Mall, was named after James Mitchell Ashley and his great-grandson Thomas W. L. "Lud" Ashley in 2008. James authored the U.S. Constitution's 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery, and Thomas was a key figure in delivering comprehensive energy legislation in 1977. More information about the building, including history, architecture, and significance, can be found here.

Property Manager: Brenda Peare

Public Hours and Access: 7 a.m.– 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (except federal holidays); security screening and a valid identity card are required to gain access.

For service calls or other building information, use contacts at top right. For other federal government information, call toll-free 1-844-USA-GOV1.

Public Parking and Transportation

The courthouse has limited on-site parking, but there is parking available in the vicinity and access to the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority [nongovernment site].

Key Tenants

The main tenants of the building are the U.S. District Court, Bankruptcy Court, and Marshals Service.

History and Architectural Features

The Ashley U.S. Courthouse was designed in the Beaux Art Classicism style of architecture by Graham H. Woolfall and built in 1932. The building has elements of Early Classical Revival, Greek Revival, Federal, and Georgian architecture. Virtually unchanged since its original construction, the courthouse design includes a buff-colored limestone veneer, a two-story exterior stone colonnade, and decorative public corridors and lobbies featuring terrazzo floors, marble wall veneers, bronze door frames, and decorative plaster panels.

The shortcut for this page is www.gsa.gov/ashleyct.

New Annex & Courthouse Renovation

GSA received funding for the design and construction of a new courthouse annex (with inside parking spaces) and the repair and alteration of the Ashley U.S. Courthouse. The renovation of the existing courthouse and construction of the new annex will meet space requirements of the District and Bankruptcy courts. The project also includes elevator replacement, accessibility upgrades, tenant improvements, façade repairs, roof replacement, and upgrades to mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and life safety systems. The project will provide six courtrooms and eight chambers to accommodate eight judges.

Current status

Bridging Design-Build request for qualifications solicitation. View the solicitation here.

Next milestone

Solicitation for request for qualifications issued August 15, 2019, and are due September 30, 2019. GSA will issue request for proposals to selected teams in late 2019.

Project Details

Total authorized funding: $6,500,000 was appropriated in fiscal year 2004 for the design of a new courthouse. Subsequently, $97,784,000 was appropriated in FY 2016 for the design and construction of a new annex and renovation of the Ashley U.S. Courthouse.

Project delivery method: Design-Build Bridging

Bridging Architect: Schooley Caldwell Architects with Schwartz Silver Architects

Anticipated milestones:

  • Design completion: Summer 2021
  • Annex construction begins: Spring 2021
  • Courthouse construction begins: Fall 2023
  • Annex construction complete: Fall 2023
  • Courthouse construction complete: Fall 2025

Awarded contracts:

  • Construction Manager as Agent: Hill International
  • Commissioning Agent: AECOM

Contact Cat Langel (catherine.langel@gsa.gov), GSA Public Affairs Officer, with media inquiries.

The shortcut for this page is www.gsa.gov/ashleyct.

print Share Icon Last Reviewed: 2019-08-16