Courthouse Plan Revised in Face of Shortfall

Vol. 36, Number 4—April 2004

Courthouse Plan Revised
in Face of Shortfall

The Judiciary's current budget crisis already is affecting future courthouseconstruction. In September 2003, the Judicial Conference approved a Five-YearCourthouse Project Plan. After updating the plan to include funds appropriatedfor FY 2004, a total of $1.6 billion would be needed for projects in FY 2005.In March 2004, with the Judiciary facing a projected funding shortfall, a secondlook was taken at the program and its space rental impact. Consequently, theConference Committee on Security and Facilities recommended and the JudicialConference approved seeking full funding from Congress in FY 2005 for just fourconstruction projects—all of which have been designated as judicial space emergencies. At a total funding cost of $735.1 million, the projects are Los Angeles, California; El Paso, Texas; San Diego, California; and Las Cruces, New Mexico.