Chattanooga U.S. Courthouse

We have received funding totaling $282,802,000 for the site acquisition, design and construction of a new federal courthouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The courthouse, once completed, will consist of seven courtrooms, nine chambers, and 40 inside secure parking spaces. The facility will also provide space for the District Clerk, Bankruptcy Clerk, U.S. Marshals Services, U.S. Probation Office, U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Trustees, Congressional offices, and the General Services Administration.

Rendering of a curved governmental building with people in front and trees around it

Project details

Appropriated funding: $282M to date for site acquisition, design, construction, and related expenses.

Project delivery method: Construction manager as constructor, or CMc

Awarded contracts:

Construction Manager as Advisor (CMa): fs3 | Hodges
Architect-Engineer Firm: HOK, formerly Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum
Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc): Brasfield & Gorrie
NEPA Contractor: Potomac Hudson Engineering (PHE)

Current status

The project is currently in the design phase.

Project design: Concept design approval is on schedule for June 2026. Design Development phase is scheduled to begin with schematic design immediately following concept design approval. Project design phase is expected to be completed in Summer of 2027.

Art in Architecture: GSA kicked off the art in architecture in April 2026. GSA announced a solicitation for a federal art commission in May 2025. The solicitation closes on June 15, 2026. GSA anticipates selection and award of project artist(s) by the end of the year.

Timeline updates

April 1, 2026: GSA obtained full possession of the selected VIne Street site.

First quarter of 2027: Issue NTP to CMc for site improvements and demolition.

Environmental review

A technical revision to the Final Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) [PDF - 4 MB] and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) [PDF - 43 MB] for the Vine Street site is issued to incorporate, as an appendix, the public comments received during the 15-day Draft SEA public review period held December 3–18, 2024.

A Notice of Availability [PDF - 92 KB] was published on May 2, 2025.

The SEA and FONSI [PDF - 5 MB] for the Vine Street site were completed in December 2024.

A Notice of Availability [PDF - 110 KB] was published on Jan. 16, 2025.

Along with the sites analyzed in the previously published final environmental assessment (EA) and FONSI in April 2024, a draft SEA and associated draft FONSI were prepared for an additional site, referred to as the Vine Street site, being considered for the construction and operation of the new courthouse. The draft SEA and FONSI were published for public review on December 3, 2024, with comments requested by December 18, 2024.

The final EA and FONSI were completed in April 2024. The completion of these documents completes GSA initial responsibilities under NEPA required for this public undertaking.

The Draft FONSI and EA were published for public review and comment on Dec. 1, 2023, with comments requested by Dec. 31, 2023.

A public meeting was held on June 14, 2023, at the Mac Avenue event space, located at 1304 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga.

Latest updates

Site selection and acquisition

The Vine Street site, which is bounded by E. 5th Street, Lindsay Street, Vine Street, and Georgia Avenue, has been identified as the most advantageous location for the new courthouse. GSA gained full possession of the site in April 2026.

Procurement of architect and engineering (A-E) services

On Nov. 7, 2024, GSA announced the selection of the A-E firm on SAM.gov. The selected A-E for the project is HOK, formerly Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum. The A-E contract was awarded April 15, 2025.

Procurement of construction manager as constructor services

This project is being delivered using the CMc delivery method wherein the CMc acts as the general contractor and is responsible for delivering the project within an agreed upon guaranteed maximum price, or GMP. Under CMc, the government awards a separate contract to an architect/engineer firm to complete the design, and brings the CMc on board during design to provide input on schedule, budget, and constructability to help inform design decisions as the design progresses.

As part of the CMc solicitation phase, the government will request a GMP proposal prior to the completion of the design. GSA published the pre-solicitation notice on SAM.gov on March 25, 2025 for CMc services. On Feb. 27, 2026, GSA awarded the CMc contract for pre-construction phase services with an GMP option to the successful offeror, Brasfield & Gorrie.