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New Federal Courthouse Could Soon Be Built In Mobile

109 views · Published 15 February 2014 · 2:39 · Indexed 13 October 2026

Channel: NBC 15 · 2014 · News & Politics

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MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) A senate committee passed a federal government proposal Monday night that included  $69.5 million for a new federal courthouse in downtown Mobile. In the proposal, the old courthouse would be renovated as well. The total construction would take about five and a half years. In total, $118 million will be spent on the upgrades when you include $49 million that is remaining from previously appropriated courthouse funding for Mobile.  I think it's good news for downtown Mobile and for the whole area and it will spawn, I believe, more reconstruction in downtown, said Senator Richard Shelby.  Folks in downtown Mobile are excited about the project, too. Attorney Henry Brewster, who spends a lot of time in the federal courthouse, said he's thrilled about news.  He said the existing building lacks the space needed to accommodate all the court's operational needs and people.  The new courthouse will be built on space located across the street from the old one at the corner of Conception and St. Louis streets. An empty lot and some federal parking spaces are there now but that will soon be cleared once the funding is signed into law and construction can begin. Sen. Shelby feels very confident Congress will approve it.  A lot of folks who live and work in De Tonti Square downtown said they'll believe it when they see it, because talks of building a new federal courthouse have been in the works for many years.  About 12 or 14 years ago we were all invited over to the state courthouse to see a presentation by the architect who had won the design for the courthouse that had first been awarded the design and it was going to be a two block building and it was a beautiful building. But we waited for ten years to get on the top of the list for federal funding and when we didn't get it I understand that whole design had to be shelved. So it's been a long time, said Brewster.  Brewster said the last time Mobile got close to getting a new courthouse, there were talks of closing a section of Conception Street to vehicle traffic and making it a pedestrian only street. Local 15 News checked with the city to see if that's being discussed this time around but we have not heard back at this time.  A spokesperson with Sen. Shelby's office said he's not aware that it's been decided either way at this point. The existing courthouse will be modernized with the federal dollars and used to accommodate the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and U.S. Probation which are currently housed in privately owned lease space for $1 million annually.

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