The planned $345 million federal courthouse in downtown Hartford is moving closer to construction, with two teams competing for the design-build contract and an informational event for subcontractors and suppliers set for Wednesday at Dunkin’ Park.
The new courthouse will be constructed on a 2.2-acre surface parking lot at 154 Allyn St., between Union Station and the PeoplesBank Arena. The 281,000-square-foot building will have up to 11 courtrooms, 18 judges’ chambers, offices for court-related agencies and secure parking.
The GSA expects to award the design-build contract in January 2027, with construction starting in summer 2027, according to the agency’s project timeline. The courthouse is expected to be substantially complete in early 2031.
The U.S. General Services Administration on June 3 named the two firms shortlisted for the contract: Turner Construction Co. of New York, and a joint venture between Rhode Island-based Gilbane Building Co. and Massachusetts-based Consigli Construction.
Consigli has a Hartford office on Allyn Street, in the building next to the planned courthouse site.
The new courthouse will replace the Abraham A. Ribicoff Federal Building and Courthouse at 450 Main St., which was built in 1963 and no longer meets the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut’s needs for space, functionality and security. When the project is finished, the district court plans to move its headquarters from New Haven to Hartford.
Congress has authorized $344.97 million for the site acquisition, design and construction. The design will incorporate classical or traditional architecture, in accordance with a presidential executive order on federal buildings.
On Wednesday, the GSA will host an Industry Day to inform businesses about contracting opportunities on the project. It will include a question-and-answer session and panel discussion.
Construction and building services firms, trade subcontractors and material suppliers are encouraged to attend and engage with the design-build teams as they develop their proposals.
“This courthouse project reflects our commitment to effectively managing the judiciary’s real property portfolio,” said Michael Gelber, the GSA’s acting commissioner of the Public Buildings Service. “It’s creating local jobs and investing in infrastructure that will serve Connecticut for decades to come.”
The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Dunkin’ Park’s YG Club, 1214 Main St. Registration is available at gsa.gov/hartfordcourthouse.
