Utah getting $211 million federal courthouse

SALT LAKE CITY — It took a little pushing and shoving, physically and economically, but with the blessing of the president and Congress, Utah will be home to a new federal courthouse to the tune of $211 million.

With the funds in place, and the space made available, it is anticipated that work will begin on the new federal courthouse in the spring of 2010 and should take three full years.

The new United States District Courthouse for the District of Utah will complete the block between Main and West Temple and 300 and 400 South, where the current courthouse stands. Jack Benco, an architect on the project, said the new building will rise 10 stories and have 368,000 square feet.

He said the present Frank E. Moss courthouse will be renovated, specifically to make it seismically sound, and most likely used for bankruptcy court. He said occupants love the building but feel it is too small to accommodate all the identified needs.

"We're all so big we don't fit anymore," Benco said. "We're in rental space in the neighborhood, and (the construction) will bring us all back together again."

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