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Groundbreaking marks start of construction on new courthouse

August 29, 2019

Photo Gallery A row of 12 dignitaries hold shovels with dirt under a ceremonial tent outdoors on a job site.

Pictured are: Des Moines City Councilmember Chris Coleman, Ryan Companies President Jeff Smith, Chief of Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts’ Security and Facilities Office Melanie Gilbert, Southern District of Iowa District Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger, SDIA Chief Judge John A. Jarvey, GSA Acting Deputy Public Buildings Service Commissioner Allison Azevedo, GSA Regional PBS Commissioner Kevin Rothmier, GSA Project Manager Jim Snedegar, Neumann Monson Architects Principal Channing Swanson, Architect Merrill Elam, Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architect Denise Dumais, and Principal Chairman, President and CEO Dan Houston.
Four men stand in military uniforms holding a U.S. flag erect and an Iowa state flag dropped to a 45 degree angle in front of a sign with information about the courthouse construction project

Four men stand in military uniforms holding a U.S. flag erect and an Iowa state flag dropped to a 45 degree angle in front of a sign with information about the courthouse construction project

The Iowa Army and Air National Guard, commanded by Army Sgt. Dylan Benischek, present the colors for the National Anthem.
A woman singing into a microphone with several dignitaries standing behind her in a row with their hands over their hearts.

A woman singing into a microphone with several dignitaries standing behind her in a row with their hands over their hearts.

Molly Rechkemmer, an Iowa resident and spouse of contracted project architect Josh Rechkemmer, sings the National Anthem.
A man speaks into a microphone from behind a lectern

A man speaks into a microphone from behind a lectern

Heartland Regional Administrator Michael Copeland serves as master of ceremonies.
Allison Azevedo shakes Michael Copeland's hand on her way to the lectern to deliver her remarks

Allison Azevedo shakes Michael Copeland's hand on her way to the lectern to deliver her remarks

Acting Public Buildings Service Deputy Commissioner Allison Azevedo shakes Heartland Regional Administrator Michael Copeland’s hand on her way to the lectern to deliver her remarks.
Woman speaks into a microphone from behind a lectern

Woman speaks into a microphone from behind a lectern

Acting Public Buildings Service Deputy Commissioner Allison Azevedo delivers remarks at the ceremony.
Many people are seated and looking out in the same direction while some people stand in the background

Many people are seated and looking out in the same direction while some people stand in the background

Congresswoman Cynthia Axne’s District Director Kaity Patchett, GSA Regional Commissioner Kevin Rothmier, GSA Project Manager Jim Snedegar and others hear remarks from Chief Judge John A. Jarvey, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Chief of Facilities and Security Office Melanie F. Gilbert, GSA Acting Public Buildings Service Deputy Commissioner Allison Azevedo, Ryan Companies President Jeff Smith and Principal Financial Group President, Chairman and CEO Daniel J. Houston at the ceremony.

By Alison Kohler

DES MOINES, Iowa – Dignitaries gathered Aug. 28 to break ground on a construction project for a new U.S. District Courthouse to meet the federal Judiciary’s current and long-term housing needs for the Southern District of Iowa. The U.S. General Services Administration is overseeing the $136.6 million project, slated for completion in the fall of 2022.

Dignitaries who attended the groundbreaking included:

Chief Judge John A. Jarvey, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa
Chief of Facilities and Security Office Melanie F. Gilbert, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
Acting Public Buildings Service Deputy Commissioner Allison Azevedo, GSA
President Jeff Smith, Ryan Companies
President, Chairman and CEO Daniel J. Houston, Principal Financial Group
District Director Kaity Patchett, Office of U.S. Rep. Cynthia Axne
Des Moines City Councilmembers Chris Coleman and Josh Mandelbaum

“The entire District Court for the Southern District of Iowa is excited about breaking ground on a building that will be devoted to only one thing for the next 75 plus years, and that is the pursuit of justice,” said Chief Judge John Jarvey. “As we break ground on this amazing building, we remember that it is created for us to serve others. And that is what we will do. Every day.”

“This courthouse will meet the space and security requirements of the Judiciary and save more than $18 million in leasing costs in the first 10 years of occupancy, as several tenants will be relocated from the leased location to a federally-owned facility,” said GSA PBS Acting Deputy Commissioner Allison Azevedo.

The new courthouse will provide nine courtrooms, offices, and workspace for:

The Southern District of Iowa Judiciary
Southern District of Iowa Bankruptcy
U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services
U.S. Marshals Service
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, including a satellite library
GSA building management space
Trial preparation space for the Federal Public Defenders and the U.S. Attorneys

The new courthouse design will complement the adjacent Beaux-Arts buildings and encourage pedestrian interaction from the Principal Riverwalk. The project will incorporate the latest requirements for sustainability, operational excellence, and state-of-the-art security and communication technology.

Ryan Companies US, Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, leads construction on the project. Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects is the lead designer, and Neumann Monson Architects serves as architect of record.

Groundbreaking marks start of construction on new courthouse

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