Construction started in the last few weeks, but Monday a long awaited project finally got underway. The idea of building a federal courthouse in Bakersfield has been around for the better part of a decade. Monday morning, federal and local officials celebrated with the groundbreaking on a project that has had anything but a smooth ride.
It was a groundbreaking that almost didn't happen, as the federal courthouse project fizzled twice in other locations, including across from River Walk Park, but eventually won favor and feasibility on the eastern side of Central Park, but even then the project wasn't a go until one last thing could be figured out.
"Every time we've come together there's been a lack of the most key ingredient, which is the dollars to build the courthouse," said Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno).
That dollar figure is $28.5 million and came from the $5.5 billion in stimulus money dedicated to the General Services Administration for shovel ready projecs like the federal courthouse. . . . .
The courthouse is scheduled to be completed by 2012. The building will house the Federal Magistrate Court, U.S. Marshal's Service and federal probation services with room to expand in the future.