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Hattiesburg, Miss. – The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announces that it will design and renovate the existing William M. Colmer Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse (Colmer FB-CT) to address known security deficiencies, aging building systems, and deteriorating building envelope. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2026.
“GSA is excited to renovate the Colmer Federal Building and Courthouse,” said Regional Administrator Jason Shelton. “Courthouses are such an integral part of communities in the South. We’re excited that this project will be a part of the ongoing revitalization of downtown Hattiesburg and we look forward to seeing how it impacts this community.”
“In the past few years, downtown Hattiesburg has seen a resurgence with new businesses and residential spaces, improvements to existing structures, and more than $28M in private investment,” said Senior Judge Keith Starrett of the U.S. Southern District Court of Mississippi. “Renovating the courthouse is another tool that will help us build a better community.”
Security is a critical function of the facility to ensure the safety of occupants and the public” said Starrett. “We are extremely grateful for the support of Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and her staff who worked for years to prioritize the funds for this much needed project.”
Located at 701 North Main Street in Hattiesburg, the three-story (plus basement) new formalist federal building was constructed in 1974 and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
The 60,000 square-foot building houses the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, U.S. Marshals Service, the Internal Revenue Service, as well as other tenants.
Planned improvements to the facility include:
- Improved building security and secure parking for judges
- Fire and life safety enhancements
- Repairs to the exterior envelope and upgrades to multiple building systems,
- Interior upgrades
“Duvall Decker is honored to extend our support to the General Services Administration and the U. S. District Court of Southern Mississippi to realize the design improvements of this significant building,” said Anne Marie Duvall Decker, Principal Architect. “We are excited to contribute to the continued development and enhancement of downtown Hattiesburg.”
The project is expected to have a positive economic impact on the community, bringing construction jobs, using locally sourced materials, and supporting local small businesses.