The new design standards set in 2021 for federal courthouses are expected to significantly increase construction expenses, according to a recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The updated guidelines, aimed at enhancing security by expanding space for public, court staff, and prisoner movement, could increase the size of courthouses by 5.8% and push costs up by nearly 12%.
These changes, introduced by the judiciary, seek to ensure the safety of judges and the public, especially in light of rising threats against federal judges. However, the GAO found that the judiciary did not fully engage with other agencies, such as the General Services Administration (GSA), when implementing these revisions. GSA expressed concerns, stating that there had been no significant security incidents in courthouses built to previous standards.
While the judiciary maintains that these adjustments are essential for safety, it has agreed to reevaluate some of the space-related changes. The GAO report suggests that the increased costs will not only affect future construction but also raise ongoing operational expenses for the judiciary and other tenant agencies. The findings come amidst a broader trend of increased federal courthouse spending, with $1.9 billion allocated for the construction of 15 new courthouses from 2016 to 2022.
Lawmakers are now closely examining how these new standards will impact future courthouse projects and their costs.
