The Patriot-News published this news item on the announcement of the site selection for a new Federal Courthouse at Sixth and Reily Streets.
New courthouse site cheered in Harrisburg
By CHARLES THOMPSON, The Patriot-News
April 26, 2010, 2:05PM
In what seemed more pep rally than announcement, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter today declared a tract at Sixth and Reily streets the winner of Harrisburg's long-running derby for a new federal courthouse. Standing under a tent on one of the vacant lots making up the parcel, Specter said, "It's been a long, tough battle with the (federal) General Services Administration, but the people finally won."
That drew loud, sustained cheers from members of Right Site Harrisburg, a coalition of city residents, civic groups and businesses that pulled together in 2008 to marshal support for the Sixth and Reily site.
The site is now on track to become home to five federal district judges and two magistrates based out of Harrisburg, as well as all of the supporting administrative and clerical functions. The $135 million building also will house Harrisburg offices for federal probation and the U.S. Marshal's Service.
In tandem with a widening of Seventh Street between Reily and Maclay streets slated to begin later this year, proponents of the Sixth and Reily site are hopeful the courthouse project with extend the revitalization already taking place in the adjacent midtown district.
Construction of the new courthouse is not expected to start before late 2011, at the earliest, after checks for environmental problems and completion of final design and architectural work.
