At the request of Congressman Zach Wamp, the U.S. House on Thursday took an important step down the road toward the restoration and expansion of the historic Joel Solomon Federal Building in downtown Chattanooga.

"The Federal Building is an important part of Chattanooga's history, and with proper care and restoration, it will play a vital role in our future, particularly in the continuing revitalization of the downtown area," Wamp said.

As a part of the Treasury and Postal Appropriations bill passed 250-173 Thursday, the House asked the General Services Administration to report on how to provide additional parking and security measures for the Federal Building on Georgia Avenue across from Miller Park. The House also told the GSA to report on plans for occupancy of the old Post Office Building on 11th Street that now houses U.S. Bankruptcy Courts.

"I have been working with R. Alan Edgar, Chief U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee, on this important effort," Wamp said. "We want to preserve, beautify and expand the existing building, which was completed in the early 1930s, and is a very significant architectural structure from the Art Deco design era. It has also been the site of many historic trials in Chattanooga, such as the case in which the late Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa was convicted in 1964 and the case which resulted in the creation of current City Council form of government for the City of Chattanooga a decade ago.

Many folks, especially in the downtown area, also use the Post Office located in the building and get to enjoy its beauty and grandeur when they do.

 "These efforts approved by Congress in the bill passed Thursday are important preliminary steps in the effort to restore and renovate the beautiful and historic Joel Solomon Federal Building," Wamp said. "The court personnel and many others who work in and use this building want to rehabilitate - and possibly expand - the Federal Building. But before that work can be planned and started, we must have a comprehensive idea of the parking needs for federal facilities in downtown Chattanooga. Another critical need is providing for separate and secure entrances from the parking areas for court personnel jurors and the public so that they do not have to use the same entrance as federal prisoners whose cases they may be judging or handling.

"We also need to know where and how key components, such as the bankruptcy court, will be located. The instructions now in the bill will help us get that done."

Language requesting the GSA actions is included in the Treasury and Postal Appropriations Bill passed by the House on Thursday. The GSA was directed to complete the work within 90 days of the bill's final passage.

The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate.

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

• The Committee recommends that the General Services Administration study the need for additional secure parking for the US Courts and related federal agencies in the Solomon Building in Chattanooga, Tenn., determine whether land is currently available, and estimate the cost of leasing or acquiring land for such purposes. The Committee further directs the GSA to report on any plans for the continued occupancy of the old USPO building now occupied by the US Bankruptcy Court. GSA should conduct such analysis and report its finding to the Committee within 90 days.