New Chattanooga Courthouse

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has received authorization and appropriation totaling $239,302,000 for the site acquisition, design and construction of a new federal courthouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The courthouse, once completed, will consist of seven (7) courtrooms, nine (9) 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.

Current Status

The project is in Site Selection and A-E Acquisition phases.

Latest Updates

Procurement of Architect & Engineering Services
On November 7, GSA announced the selection of the Architect-Engineer (A-E) firm on SAM.gov. The selected A-E for the project is HOK, formerly Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum. GSA expects to award the A-E contract in the first quarter of calendar year 2025.

Procurement of Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc) Services
This project is being delivered using the Construction Manager as Constructor (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 (GMP). Under CMc, the Government awards a separate contract to an architect/engineer (A/E) 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 expects to publish the pre-solicitation notice on SAM.gov for Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc) services in the first quarter of calendar year 2025.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Analysis

The final Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) were completed in April 2024. The completion of these documents completes GSA’s initial responsibilities under NEPA required for this public undertaking.

Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment [PDF - 11 MB]

Notice of Availability for the Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact [PDF - 114 KB]

The Draft Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment were published for public review and comment on December 1, 2023, with comments requested by December 31, 2023.

Draft Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment [PDF - 17 MB]

Notice of Availability for the Draft Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment [PDF - 100 KB]

Notice of Public Scoping Meeting [PDF - 42 KB]

Public Scoping Meeting Transcript, Chattanooga Courthouse [PDF - 717 KB] June 14, 2023

Public Scoping Meeting Slide Deck [PDF - 2 MB]

Site Acquisition

GSA continues to consider all of its options for a site for the new Chattanooga Courthouse. Due diligence activities, including land and utility surveys, appraisals, and title work are underway and anticipated to be complete in first quarter of calendar year 2025.

Upcoming Milestones

April 9, 2024 (A) - Public notice of Availability published of the final EA and FONSI
1st quarter of calendar year 2025 - CMc Pre-Solicitation Published
1st quarter of calendar year 2025 - Preferred Site Selected
1st quarter of calendar year 2025 - A/E Contract Award

Project Details

Total authorized: $218M for site acquisition, design and construction & related expenses
Total appropriated (to date): $239M acquisition, design and construction & related expenses
Design and Construction of the courthouse to follow GSA Design and Construction Excellence policies and procedures.
Project Delivery Method: Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc)