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Yesterday, the General Services Administration (GSA) submitted an important next step in the years-long process to secure new courthouse facilities in McAllen, Texas, championed by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28).

A new GSA study (attached) lays out four options for the future of McAllen’s courthouse, which earlier studies ordered by Rep. Cuellar found has inadequate facilities.

Senator Cornyn said:

“The Judges, staff, and all Texans in the Rio Grande Valley who use the federal courthouse deserve a safe and modern facility.  I’m thankful for the dedication of Rep. Cuellar, city leaders, and all who have partnered with us as we continue to fight for a new federal courthouse in McAllen.”

In response to the new GSA findings, Rep. Cuellar said:

“I would like to thank the General Services Administration for laying out specific options and concrete next steps for our courthouse in McAllen. We have known for a long time that the current facilities are just not good enough. I will continue to fight to get this community the courthouse it deserves.

I am grateful for the continued collaboration of Senators Cornyn and Cruz, Representatives Vela and Gonzalez, and former Representative Ruben Hinojosa. Mayor Jim Darling and the City of McAllen have been valuable partners; their offer to donate city land for a new courthouse may be crucial as we look to lower costs for land acquisition, design and construction. And I would also like to thank Judge Ricardo H. Hinojosa, whose advocacy on this matter has been essential.”

Senator Cornyn and Congressman Cuellar have advocated for new courthouse facilities in McAllen for many years. An earlier GSA study found that the current courthouse space, rented from a private owner, is not adequate, causing security concerns and other problems.

Since then, Senator Cornyn and Congressman Cuellar, along with Judge Hinojosa, Senator Cruz, Representatives Gonzalez and Vela, former Representative Hinojosa, and Mayor Darling, have fought for McAllen through years of red tape. In September 2016, they achieved a breakthrough when the Administrative Office of the United States Courts agreed to instruct GSA to take the next step: a phase 1 study of what actions are necessary to improve or replace the facilities in McAllen.

The results of that investigation were released by GSA yesterday. GSA lays out four options in the attached document for a new McAllen courthouse. These options, however, do not take into account the generosity of the City of McAllen and Mayor Darling who have offered to donate land for the project.

In June of 2017, the Space and Facilities Committee of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AOC) will meet to decide if they should recommend McAllen for inclusion on the AOC Courthouse Priorities Plan, to be voted on by the entire Judicial Conference of the US Courts in September.

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