Federal building to open quietly

After close to a two-year delay, Cape Girardeau's new federal courthouse will open Monday. Court will be in session, but no ceremonies, tours or hoopla is scheduled to mark the occasion, five years in the making.

"We aren't planning any particular ceremony. We will have a dedication around August," said Cy Houston, director of project management for the General Services Administration. The administration oversaw construction of the Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. U.S. Courthouse and will supervise its operation.

Construction of the $64 million, four-story, 154,000-square-foot building began in 2003 and was scheduled for completion in July 2006. However, the project was plagued with problems.

An installed roof didn't meet federal standards and had to be replaced. Insufficient lighting, inefficient cooling and trouble with door locks slowed progress. Twenty additional metal piers, used to anchor the building, became necessary. The original general contractor was replaced. And in March, spring rains caused leaking and the potential for mold.

"We've obviously had a couple of setbacks. We're delighted we've finally reached opening. There's no other way to put it. This is a great milestone for us," Houston said.

Most officials have already moved into the new building at 555 Independence St., including the U.S. Marshals Service and the court clerk.

Staff for U.S. Sens. Claire McCaskill and Kit Bond are expected to move next week and be situated by June 9, according to Bond's office manager, Cheryl Hill. She said Rep. Jo Ann Emerson will be moving in the "next couple of months."

Houston said the dedication will be at the end of the summer so there is adequate planning time. "There's such a flurry of activity now with everyone moving," he said.

No major work is expected to continue over the summer, but as with "every new building, there'll be things to tweak out," Houston said.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

Does this affect you?

Have a comment?

Log on to semissourian.com/today