Looking down 2nd Ave towards the Federal Court House and May's Island after the flood in downtown Cedar Rapids on Sunday, June 15, 2008. (Steve Gravelle/The Gazette)
Cedar Rapids' New Federal Courthouse Gets Elevated Priority
By
Becky Ogann
Story Created:
Jul 14, 2008 at 3:55 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 14, 2008 at 3:55 PM CDT
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that the Judicial Conference of the U.S. Courts Executive Committee unanimously agreed to give the Cedar Rapids Courthouse elevated priority for construction. Harkin worked with city and federal officials to prioritize the building of a new courthouse after the current structure was significantly damaged by recent floods.
Harkin plans to seek the full funding necessary to construct the courthouse in a supplemental appropriations package that will be acted on next week. Construction estimates are projected at more than $140 million.
Cedar Rapids’ current courthouse was built in 1931, and since 1989, the courthouse has been found to have insufficient space and security to serve the needs of the court and its related agencies. Land has already been acquired for the construction of a new courthouse. Construction on the new courthouse could begin early next year.
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Tuesday, Jul 15 at 12:54 PM Don't worry wrote ...
The plan is to raise the foundation above the level of this last flood. No basement. No Italian marble but a lot of local stone (Stone City?). Current federal courthouse goes to City, probably leased to County for court annex. This is good for CR and development down the river. Relax.
Tuesday, Jul 15 at 12:35 PM annon wrote ...
sure got word on a new fed courthouse quik,seems our mayor and friends get decisions fast, but when it comes to the people, we have to wait.
Tuesday, Jul 15 at 9:46 AM . . . To Angela . . . wrote ...
They are currenty holding court proceedings at Kennedy High School. But they'll have to find a new location by the end of the month.
Tuesday, Jul 15 at 8:43 AM Stefan wrote ...
140 MILLION!! WOW, that amount of money could rebuild the entire town of Palo-twice!!!
Tuesday, Jul 15 at 6:58 AM INTERESTING wrote ...
INTERESTING DECISION. SO I WANT TO HEAR FROM ALL THE WHINNERS ON OTHER BLOGS WHO RUTINELY BASH FLOOD VICTIMS FOR SPENDING THEIR TAX DOLLARS. I GUESS ANYONE WITHIN THE 500YR (WHICH WAS NOT EVEN READILY AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL 1OR 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THE FLOOD)FLOOD PLAIN SHOULD NOT BE DENIED A PENNY. SO WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE ON A MULTI BILLION DOLLAR PROJECT BUILT IN THE SAME AREA ROUGHLY AS WHAT JUST GOT FLOODED. ALSO CONSIDER OUR COURTHOUSE AND OTHER BLDGS FLODED. QUITE THE DOUBLE STANDARD!!
Tuesday, Jul 15 at 6:18 AM Anonymous wrote ...
Yes, I know where they are---Mason City. Not sure why they can't meet someplace in Cedar Rapids.
Tuesday, Jul 15 at 5:15 AM Uncle Sam's Nephew wrote ...
Hard to believe it's now even MORE urgent to spend $140 million for a building at a place we now know is flood-prone. Gov't has a lot of money & power but apparently not much wisdom. Maybe somebody can talk Uncle Sam into building it in Marion or other nearby high ground instead.
Tuesday, Jul 15 at 2:35 AM Anonymous wrote ...
I have 2 questions: 1. I understand that the C. R. Federal courthouse has priority on being raised, so does this means that all the homeowners who are waiting for their homes to be raised can move into the Federal courthouse?? 2. Do the Federal employees have priority on getting their wages raised also??
Monday, Jul 14 at 10:19 PM Typical politics wrote ...
Harkin got this pushed through so he looks like a savior, but 140 million for a building that is going to be on a flood plain is kind of stupid. It will look nice downtown, of course it will be all alone for nothing else will be redone yet, but hey thanks Tom you the man.
Monday, Jul 14 at 10:15 PM steve wrote ...
i will bet this court house has all the bells whistles to it like imported marble from italy 140 million bucks is a lot of money here built right back in the flood plain
Monday, Jul 14 at 9:35 PM snowy wrote ...
test
Monday, Jul 14 at 8:51 PM $$$ wrote ...
Wow! 140 MILLION dollars- Just think how C.R. could use that kind of money just to rebuild the downtown area
Monday, Jul 14 at 7:45 PM doubt it wrote ...
Since they said they already have the land for it, I imagine they will put it right where they were planning. I think the plan was that in exchange for the land, that the city would get the old courthouse. Which I would take to mean that the federal government is still going to have to fix it anyway.
Monday, Jul 14 at 5:34 PM Jeff wrote ...
Watch they will build it where they were planning to in a area that just got flooded. Thats how great the system is. Please someone tell me they are atleast considering higher ground than the original site they had planned on.
Monday, Jul 14 at 5:20 PM Angela wrote ...
Any one know where they are currently holding court proceedings
Monday, Jul 14 at 5:02 PM Anonymous wrote ...
wow. that's prompt. will the old building be torn down or can it be preserved for history?
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