Ignoring local input, federal agency picks Vine Street site for new Chattanooga courthouse

Staff photo by Abby White / The proposed lot for a new federal courthouse is seen in downtown Chattanooga on Dec. 3, 2024. The lot is bounded by East Fifth Street, Lindsey Street, Vine Street and Georgia Avenue. Staff photo by Abby White / The proposed lot for a new federal courthouse is seen in downtown Chattanooga on Dec. 3, 2024. The lot is bounded by East Fifth Street, Lindsey Street, Vine Street and Georgia Avenue.

By David Floyd January 16, 2025 6 min read

Contradicting the wishes of local officials, the federal government has identified a 4-acre block on Vine Street as the most advantageous location for a new courthouse in Chattanooga, according to a news release from the U.S. General Services Administration.

This comes after city leaders sent a note to General Services in December urging it to choose the 1.4 million-square-foot TVA office complex in downtown Chattanooga for the project.

The new courthouse would total about 190,000 square feet and include seven courtrooms, nine chambers and 40 secured parking spaces. The federal government has set aside about $239 million for the project. General Services expects the design of the new courthouse will begin in spring 2025 and construction will start in spring 2027.

In a statement, River City Co. CEO Emily Mack said she is disappointed the federal government ignored “clear and consistent local input” by selecting the Vine Street site.