Jarvey on new courthouse: ‘Beautiful, functional, wonderful’
KATHY A. BOLTEN Aug 28, 2019 | 6:49 pm
1 min read time
347 wordsAll Latest News, Government Policy and Law, Real Estate and Development
Federal and local dignitaries took part in a groundbreaking ceremony today for the new federal courthouse planned at 101 Locust St. Photo by Kathy A. Bolten
The new U.S. district federal courthouse that will be located on the Des Moines riverfront received an abundance of praise Wednesday during a groundbreaking for the nearly $137 million project.
U.S. District Judge John Jarvey, during opening remarks, noted there were disagreements among people with ties to project, “but now we can be unified in our goal for a beautiful, functional, wonderful addition to this city.”
A year ago, the U.S. General Services Administration announced it planned to build the structure, which will include nine courtrooms, at 101 Locust St. The site is considered prime development ground in downtown Des Moines by city officials, who pushed for the courthouse to be built elsewhere. GSA officials stuck with the Locust Street site.
Jarvey noted civic and community leaders’ concerns with how the new courthouse, which will replace the current federal courthouse at 123 E. Walnut St. and its annex to the south, would affect the Principal Riverwalk.
“We’ve taken those things to heart,” he told the estimated 100 people gathered at the groundbreaking. He said the courthouse’s design complements other nearby civic buildings, all designed in the Beaux-Arts style of architecture.
Dan Houston, Principal Financial Group’s president, chairman and CEO, also mentioned the controversy surrounding the courthouse and concerns expressed about the structure’s design.
Houston said people described the courthouse as “a massive bunker with 12-foot tall bollards with a lot of separation between this wonderful building and the Riverwalk.” After he reviewed the building’s plans, Houston said he found the courthouse “very inviting.”
Construction of the courthouse is expected to be completed in late 2022.
Previous Business Record stories on the new federal courthouse:
Groundbreaking for 120-foot tall federal courthouse set for Wednesday
GSA releases renderings of federal courthouse
‘We have to be respectful stewards of the taxpayers’ money’
‘They came back and gave us a box’
Proposed federal courthouse still raising some local ire
U.S. District Judge John Jarvey, during opening remarks, noted there were disagreements among people with ties to project, “but now we can be unified in our goal for a beautiful, functional, wonderful addition to this city.”
A year ago, the U.S. General Services Administration announced it planned to build the structure, which will include nine courtrooms, at 101 Locust St. The site is considered prime development ground in downtown Des Moines by city officials, who pushed for the courthouse to be built elsewhere. GSA officials stuck with the Locust Street site.
Jarvey noted civic and community leaders’ concerns with how the new courthouse, which will replace the current federal courthouse at 123 E. Walnut St. and its annex to the south, would affect the Principal Riverwalk.
“We’ve taken those things to heart,” he told the estimated 100 people gathered at the groundbreaking. He said the courthouse’s design complements other nearby civic buildings, all designed in the Beaux-Arts style of architecture.
Dan Houston, Principal Financial Group’s president, chairman and CEO, also mentioned the controversy surrounding the courthouse and concerns expressed about the structure’s design.
Houston said people described the courthouse as “a massive bunker with 12-foot tall bollards with a lot of separation between this wonderful building and the Riverwalk.” After he reviewed the building’s plans, Houston said he found the courthouse “very inviting.”
Construction of the courthouse is expected to be completed in late 2022.
Previous Business Record stories on the new federal courthouse:
Groundbreaking for 120-foot tall federal courthouse set for Wednesday
GSA releases renderings of federal courthouse
‘We have to be respectful stewards of the taxpayers’ money’
‘They came back and gave us a box’
Proposed federal courthouse still raising some local ire
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