Due to the deterioration of the Solomon Federal Building and the overcrowded office spaces and courts, Congressman Zach Wamp is taking steps to build a new federal building in the downtown Chattanooga area and to renovate the current building.

At Congressman Wamp's request, the 2003 Treasury, Postal Service and General Government spending bill encourages the General Services Administration (GSA) to work with the City of Chattanooga to find a suitable site to house the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Probation Office and Pretrial Services. The Appropriations Committee also directs GSA to start the renovation plan for the existing federal courthouse to serve the future needs of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

"The courts and offices that are currently housed in the federal courthouse have outgrown the space and a new building is badly needed," said Wamp. "In addition to constructing a new building, we want to preserve, beautify and expand the Solomon courthouse, which was completed in the early 1930s. Many Chattanoogans remember that it was the site of many historic trials, such as the case in which the late Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa was convicted in 1964. This building is a landmark in downtown Chattanooga and it should continue to serve our community."

"The courts welcome the help that Congressman Wamp has provided. We have outgrown the Solomon Building and a new building is badly needed," said Chief District Judge R. Allan Edgar.

The text of the language that was inserted in the bill by the Treasury and Postal subcommittee at the request of Congressman Wamp is below:

The Committee is acutely aware of the need for a new courthouse and for renovating the current building, the Solomon Courthouse, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Committee directs GSA to proceed with its discussions with the city to find the most suitable site for the new courthouse to contain the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Probation Office and Pretrial Services. The Committee is very concerned that determination and acquisition of the site proceed as quickly as possible and directs GSA to continue its evaluation and discussion process with the city with all due speed. As plans for the new courthouse progress, the Committee directs GSA to begin any necessary preliminary studies and plans for renovating the existing courthouse so it can serve the needs of the U. S. Bankruptcy Court.

The 2003 Treasury Postal spending bill also specifically designates $7.085 million to design a new courthouse in Nashville. This new building will house the District Court and Magistrate Court, the district clerk, circuit library, U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Attorney. This new facility is needed because the current Kefauver Federal Building/Courthouse does not allow for expansion to meet new design standards.