GSA, Courts cut the ribbon for new Sylvia H. Rambo U.S. Courthouse

PBS Commissioner Nina Albert, Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann, Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams, U.S. Senator
PBS Commissioner Nina Albert, Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann, Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, Harrisburg Mayor Wanda Williams, U.S. Senator Bob Casey, and Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf cut the ribbon for the new Sylvia H. Rambo U.S. Courthouse in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

On Dec. 9, 2022, GSA Mid-Atlantic Region, the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania and elected officials cut the ribbon for the new Sylvia H. Rambo U.S. Courthouse. Located in midtown Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the new courthouse will replace the current Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse.

PBS Commissioner Nina Albert joined Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann, Harrisburg Mayor Wanda R.D. Williams, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, and U.S. Senator Bob Casey in providing remarks and cutting the ribbon on the facility. The building was named in honor of Judge Rambo in a small private ceremony in June 2022 following passage of legislation introduced by Pennsylvania U.S. Senators Bob Casey and Pat Toomey.

“A partnership is like a building - you must have a strong foundation to reach the sky. From the ground floor up, the completed courthouse testifies to the commitment of those who invested many years of hard work to bring this courthouse to the City of Harrisburg,” stated Albert in her remarks. “Judge Rambo, your inspiring career and legacy are reflected in this building, not just the name but the gravity and purpose it inspires. Thank you for your leadership.”

The new 243,000 square foot courthouse sits on approximately four acres at 6th and Reily streets in Harrisburg. The facility contains eight courtrooms and 11 chambers. The exterior of the building and tower feature long vertical slants which were designed to use and diffuse natural light in a sustainable manner throughout the building. The project is on track for LEED Gold certification through sustainable features such as a green roof, achieving a minimum of 20% water use reduction for indoor flow and flush fixtures, and low emitting volatile organic compound materials to improve indoor air quality.

Project Executive Abby Low, Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, and PBS Commissioner Nina Albert pose for a photo after the ribbon cutting
GSA Project Executive Abby Low, Judge Sylvia H. Rambo, and PBS Commissioner Nina Albert pose for a photo after the ribbon cutting.

The building includes two new GSA Art in Architecture commissions. Monique van Genderen’s 250-foot mural, “I Thought of You…the People’s Painting,” is front and center in the lobby, visible from the street and rolling through the space reminiscent of the nearby Susquehanna River. It was completed in October 2022. The second commission, Claire Sherman’s eight painting series “Trees and Vines,” is estimated to be installed in spring 2023.

Tenants of this new courthouse will be the Middle District of Pennsylvania and Bankruptcy Courts, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Attorneys, U.S. Trustees, Homeland Security, GSA Field Office, and Federal Public Defender.

Ennead Architects designed the courthouse, Mascaro Construction Company is the general contractor for the building, and Hill International provided construction management services. The courthouse is anticipated to be substantially complete in winter 2023, and opening for business in spring 2023.

This article is part of the Winter issue of the FOCUS newsletter. Please visit the Focus Newsletter page .

Last Reviewed: 2023-01-12