Letter to Timothy Horne, Acting Administrator of the General Services Administration - Concerns Regarding Federal Courthouse in Des Moines

Letter

Dear Acting Administrator Horne:

I am writing in regards to the General Services Administration's (GSA) announcement of the preferred site for the new Des Moines federal courthouse. I appreciate GSA's previous commitments to work with the city and its citizens to find the best site for the future of the community, and I write to reiterate the importance of this commitment.

I have, on several occasions, been given assurances by you and other GSA officials, the GSA would work with the city at all steps of the process to locate a preferred site for the Des Moines federal courthouse, and keep Iowans and my office apprised of all progress. I am disappointed these assurances were unfulfilled as neither my office nor the city was informed of the latest developments. Though the building will be federal property, GSA has a responsibility to the community to ensure local voices are given a seat at the table. Simply stated, the federal government has an obligation to be good neighbors to the local community and its citizens.

It is important to bear in mind the new courthouse will be a part of the Downtown Des Moines neighborhood for years to come, and it is the citizens and the city who are best able to work with GSA to decide the best location for the courthouse. While I understand GSA will seek public comment on this location to hear from Iowans about the proposal, I cannot overstate the importance of looking toward the future and taking every step along the way to work with the community and address local concerns.

As you are well aware, the site preferred by GSA is far from a consensus choice within the community. With that in mind, I expect you will use the comment period to honor your previous commitment and revisit and reevaluate the decision, with the concerns of the city and citizens in mind. Additionally, I ask you also ensure city officials and my office are informed of the process going forward to ensure the city has a voice throughout the process.

My office will be reaching out in the coming days with additional comments, questions and requests for additional information regarding this announcement and the proposed site. By working together, we can achieve our shared goal of providing needed space for the Southern District of Iowa while meeting the needs of the community, but this cannot be done without transparency and cooperation.

Sincerely,
David Young
Member of Congress

**Congressman Young included a handwritten note at the end of the letter which said: "Why can't you post the draft Environmental Assessment on your website for all the public to see?"

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