Mahoney Pushes For Fort Pierce Courthouse Bids

WASHINGTON, D.C.  - Congressman Tim Mahoney (FL-16), along with  Fort Pierce Mayor Bob Benton, St. Lucie County Commissioner Chris Craft, and Courthouse Task Force Chair Dr. William Dannahower met with the General Services Administration (GSA) today to get to the bottom of the delays in the bidding and construction of the Fort Pierce Courthouse. Following the meeting, GSA committed to releasing a new bid in June and making a contract award in September of this year. 

''Getting the Fort Pierce Courthouse built is critical for getting St. Lucie's economy back on track,'' said Congressman Mahoney.  ''The meeting today launched a productive partnership between my office, the General Services Administration and Fort Pierce local elected officials. Because of the deep commitment of everyone working on this project, I am confident that we are going to get the Courthouse built.''

''I am grateful for Congressman Mahoneys leadership on this issue.  He has gone beyond his call of duty to bring a much-needed facility to Fort Pierce,'' said Fort Pierce Mayor Bob Benton.

Construction of the Fort Pierce Courthouse was originally supposed to begin in November 2007, but was delayed due to a lack of competitive bids and cost escalations.  As a result of the meeting today, GSA has committed to releasing a new bid in June and making an award in September. The GSA also committed to working with Congressman Mahoney and Fort Pierce local elected officials to expand their outreach effort, particularly to potential subcontractors.

In January, Congressman Mahoney sent a letter to GSA Administrator Lurita Doan asking for an analysis of the construction delays.  The GSA told Mahoney that the agency continues to use the same cost estimate formula but will re-evaluate the building's design and construction.

Current Design Specifics:

• Four stories with approximately 115,000 square feet on 143,000 square feet of property
  
• Two courtrooms (1 district and 1 magistrate); internal expansion/renovation for two additional courtrooms is possible.
  
• Agencies using the building will include the District Court, Clerk of Courts, bankruptcy court, magistrate court, probation, pretrial, public defender, U.S. Attorney, U.S. Marshalls Service and the General Service Administration.
  
• Formal entry to the building is at the corner of U.S. 1 and Orange Ave; landscaped plaza facing Orange Ave.
  
• Construction is expected to take 32-36 months once it begins with occupancy originally scheduled for first quarter 2011