Construction is complete on the basement, first-floor and second-floor slabs of the federal courthouse being built at 101 Locust St. in Des Moines. Photo special to the Business Record
12% of federal courthouse construction project is complete
 
 
 
What: New federal courthouse
Where: 101 Locust St., Des Moines
Project value: $136.6 million
Construction manager: Ryan Cos. US Inc.
Architect: Mack Scogin Merrill Elan Architects
Update and background: Construction of the new federal courthouse on Des Moines’ riverfront is about 12% completed, according to a spokeswoman for U.S. General Services Administration, which oversees construction and management of federal buildings, including the new courthouse for the Southern District of Iowa.

The project is out of the ground with construction of the basement, first-floor and second-floor slabs completed. Much of the site work, including installation of utilities, is also complete, according to the GSA spokeswoman.

Framing and construction of the 120-foot-tall building will continue through the spring of 2021.
The new courthouse is being built on land that originally was home to the Des Moines Coliseum and later the Riverfront YMCA.

Currently, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa occupies two buildings east of the Des Moines River: the current federal courthouse at 123 E. Walnut St., built in 1929, and an annex at 110 E. Court Ave. The federal government leases space in the annex, which is privately
owned.

The current courthouse and annex have seven courtrooms and 12 judges’ chambers. The new courthouse, when completed in fall 2022, will include 13 judges’ chambers and nine courtrooms that will include enough space for family members, victims, the public and others to watch proceedings.

Related article: Judge: New federal courthouse has more space, more security

A Commercial Real Estate Weekly feature in which updates are provided on the status of construction projects underway in the Greater Des Moines area. Want to include an update about your project or suggest a project to include? Email: kathybolten@bpcdm.com.