GSA Daily Staff Report
Published March 29, 2010

The General Services Administration is moving forward with plans to acquire a site for a new federal courthouse in downtown Greenville. The building will be located at the intersection of East North, North Irvine, East Coffee and North Spring streets.

Relocating the C.F. Haynsworth Federal Building in Greenville has been under consideration since 2005. In addition to the chosen location, the former Greenville Memorial Auditorium site and a location bordered by Westfield and West Broad streets and Reedy View Drive were proposed sites.

Plans to build at the former auditorium site at East North and Church streets were withdrawn in 2007 after a traffic study showed the site was not a viable option.

Current plans call for construction of an approximately 204,000-square-foot facility to provide space for the U.S. District Court, U.S. Magistrate Court and other federal agencies. GSA will begin work on the design phase of the project in fall 2010. Actual construction is not expected to begin until fiscal year 2013.

“The city is pleased that GSA has selected this key site and construction of the new courthouse supports the city’s downtown master plans for future growth and development,” said City Manager Jim Bourey in a press release. “Factors such as the availability of ample parking within the nearby parking structures, the proximity to the existing federal courthouse and offices, the concentration of legal professional offices and other support facilities nearby, the minor disruption of existing businesses and easy access and visibility all lead to this site as the preferred location.”

The property is currently a parking lot. On the same side of East North Street stands the Palmetto Bank headquarters. Across the street is the County of Greenville’s Circuit Court.