Funds for new Utah courthouse approved
Senate appropriators approved a $211 million request Thursday to build a new federal courthouse in Salt Lake City. Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, had asked for the funding.
"This project is a prime example of a shovel-ready project that will bring hundreds of jobs to Utah and give a much-needed boost to our economy," Bennett said. He added that it could bring an estimated 700 jobs to Utah for the next three years.
"The project has been in the works for several years and now we are a step closer to securing the funds needed to meet the vastly growing needs of our state's judiciary system," he said.
The earmark was included at Bennett's request in the annual Financial Services Appropriations bill. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed it Thursday and sent it to the full Senate. Bennett is the only Utah member of Congress who serves on an appropriations committee.
The new courthouse will be adjacent to the Frank E. Moss Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. Tenants will include the district court, probation and pretrial services and the U.S. Marshal's Office.
When the new courthouse is built, the existing Moss Courthouse will be renovated and will house bankruptcy judges, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the U.S. Trustee's Office.
The General Services Administration has told Congress the project will provide $105 million in construction salaries over three years, providing an estimated 716 jobs for each of the three years of construction.
Bennett's office said the expansion project has been envisioned for 17 years. In 1992, the court submitted a formal written request to the GSA for an annex to the Moss Courthouse.
But by 1998, the district court's docket had increased so much that officials determined that a renovation and annex would not be enough to meet needs. Also, studies showed that renovation of the Moss Courthouse was unsuitable for a District Court because of security concerns and a space squeeze that would not allow adequate courtroom sizes.
So plans were revised to build an entirely new courthouse.
e-mail: lee@desnews.com
Recent comments
To Hey: The Matheson Courthouse is for the Utah state courts, and it...
Ace | July 12, 2009 at 7:03 p.m.
We appreciate your efforts, Sen. Bennett!
And, love your new...
Thank you! | July 10, 2009 at 8:39 p.m.
I thought the Matheson Court House was more than sufficient. I guess...
Hey | July 10, 2009 at 6:41 p.m.
- Top cartel kingpin killed in shootout 1:24 a.m.
- Utah Grizzlies fall to Steelheads 1:19 a.m.
- Watching over the Sacred Grove 1:16 a.m.
- The sites and lights of Christmas 1:15 a.m.
- China detains U.S. engineer 1:14 a.m.
- Church: You know what's on menu 1:14 a.m.
- Temple, family trees at heart of site 1:14 a.m.
- Written history of nursery 1:14 a.m.
- The gospel in words: 'Lowly' 1:14 a.m.
- What's new: 'Treasure in Heaven' 1:13 a.m.
- Josh Powell gives DNA
- Will Chambers keep his promise?
- Josh Powell meets with WVC police
- Conan mocks Orrin Hatch, Mormons
- Star on field, in community
- BYU singers compete in 'Sing Off'
- Boozer plays at an All-Star level
- David Archuleta's different mission
- Jazz miss Harpring's toughness
- Frances Monson recovering well
- Jazz stunned by Timberwolves
114 - Stay the course with our president
112 - Letters: 'Liberal conceit'
111 - Josh Powell meets with WVC police
109 - TV mom gives birth to 19th child
106 - Sources: Josh Powell hires attorney
100 - Letters: Explaining Palin
100 - Tethering of pets could spur charges
94 - Conan mocks Orrin Hatch, Mormons
87 - Cougar seniors see a new Bronco
84
These days, more than half of adults actually want gift cards, those...
Some forms of beauty are fleeting, fragile as life itself, gone in a...
David Rankin, one of Utah's youngest and ablest astrophotographers has...
That would be five. Wyoming, AF, UofU, BYU, TCU.
The way I understand it, the Braithwaite name and gallery will transfer to...
USE COMMON SENSE Your Dog doesnt need to be out on a chain. Ask a Vet why...
WOW........
Defeat it, Mr Bennett! And then, go write a song like Mr. Hatch. Stay tall.
Who cares since few think healthcare is a right anyway in this State of Utah
Why must there always be someone else to blame for our problems? "If the...
Max lost to Utah once. Beat them twice. Your clever "joke" only worked last...
There is not near the competitions is wrestling for everyone that whats to...
20+ years in insurance finance and I can guarantee the "market" won't solve...


