New courthouse timeline

After nearly two decades and more than $62 million in construction costs, the Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. Federal Courthouse in Cape Girardeau was dedicated Monday. The major steps in the completion of the project were:

• 1991: U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson requests a feasibility study for a new federal courthouse for Cape Girardeau.
• September 1993: Congress appropriates $3.8 million for site acquisition and design work on a new federal courthouse.
• Jan. 27, 1994: The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approves spending the $3.8 million appropriation.
• August 1995: The U.S. General Services Administration designates a 15-block area from Spanish Street to Sprigg Street between Independence and Bellevue streets as the preferred location for the new courthouse. Estimates place the cost of the new courthouse at about $30 million.
• Feb. 1, 1996: About 170 people take part in a public hearing about proposed courthouse sites. Due to opposition from residents, the area to be studied is reduced by two blocks to a six-block area.
• March 12, 1996: About 100 people attend a public hearing called by city government to discuss the proposed courthouse. Many support using the site of the old Saint Francis hospital at 825 Good Hope St.
• March 18, 1996: The Cape Girardeau City Council endorses three possible sites -- the old Saint Francis hospital, the "Happy Hollow" area, a former dump site west of city hall, and the 400 block of Broadway.
• April 8, 1996: The U.S. General Services Administration announces that it prefers the Happy Hollow site because the land is empty, is centrally located and has good access to planned highway improvements. President Clinton includes design funding in the 1998 federal budget, with construction possibly beginning in 2000.
• Feb. 26, 1997: GSA officials announce land acquisition and other activity related to the federal courthouse project are on hold because of budget constraints.
• June 1998: U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson requests a $2 million appropriation for design work on the new courthouse. The GSA has been doing preliminary site evaluations to ensure no environmental issues are present at the Happy Hollow site.
• July 17, 1998: U.S. Sen. Kit Bond secures $2.2 million for design and planning the federal courthouse. The GSA reports later in the week that a cleanup of gasoline contamination at the site will cost about $250,000. The project's total cost is estimated at $40 million.
• April 28, 1999: A hearing held by GSA officials finds support for the Happy Hollow site.
• Jan. 4, 2000: GSA announces plans to hire an architect for the courthouse project.
• Feb. 4, 2000: GSA announces acceptance of the Happy Hollow site.
• May 10, 2000: Ross Barney & Jankowski, a Chicago architectural firm, is hired to design the courthouse. Plans call for a fall 2001 unveiling of the design and a spring 2002 construction start date.
• May 24, 2001: Architecture firm fired after the federal Office of Management and Budget scales back the project to a single-courtroom courthouse, rather than one with three courtrooms. The architecture firm, which had been paid nearly $500,000, had also suggested an atrium with an open top and no air conditioning, an idea rejected by Emerson.
• Oct. 4, 2001: The courthouse project is back on track, with three courtrooms and air conditioning for the atrium. The GSA decides to go with a design-build project to speed construction. Emerson and Bond promise to seek full funding for the courthouse, which now has a 2005 projected opening date.
• June 26, 2002: A House appropriations subcommittee approves $49.3 million for construction of the courthouse. GSA officials predict it could be ready by February 2006.
• July 29, 2002: State, federal and local officials join in a ceremony to recognize the start of site preparation for the courthouse.
• Feb. 14, 2003: $49.3 million approved for construction of courthouse.
• March 8, 2003: Contract awarded for construction of courthouse. Completion date of early 2006 projected.
• July 18, 2003: Artist's design for new courthouse unveiled.
• Feb. 28, 2004: Construction begins. Completion projected in December 2005; opening projected in April 2006.

n Oct. 15, 2004: Interior work halted on project as expected costs increase $4 million above budget because of rising steel prices. Delays expected to push opening back to September 2006.

• December 2005: Work on the exterior of the building is completed. Contracts being considered for interior work.
• Feb. 7, 2006: Interior work begins. GSA officials project a December 2006 opening.
• Sept. 7, 2006: U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson introduces legislation naming the courthouse after Rush H. Limbaugh Sr.
• Jan. 3, 2007: Interior work is 90 percent complete, GSA officials said, predicting that the courthouse would be ready for occupancy by April.
• April 14, 2007: Brad Scott, regional administrator, said mistakes in wall coverings and carpeting will push the opening date back to July or August.
• July 2007: Vandals steal letters from brick and concrete monument outside courthouse.
• Aug. 3, 2007: Federal officials reveal numerous problems with the new courthouse, including an inadequate roof, cost overruns and construction damage. The new projected cost is $62 million, and a new opening projection of spring 2008 is announced.
• Feb. 21, 2008: GSA officials announce work will begin on repairing deficiencies in the building. They project a May opening.
• March 23, 2008: Evaluations after the record-breaking rainstorm show additional work needed on courthouse roof. GSA officials hope for May move-in.
• June 2, 2008: First hearings held in new courthouse.
• Oct. 6, 2008: Formal dedication of courthouse.