The ribbon cutting was set for Friday, Oct. 30, but the city and courts have not said when hearings start at 100 10th St. Check your summons first. What we know.

Columbus will hold a ribbon cutting for the new John D. Allen Judicial Center at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. The public is invited.

Updated Oct. 30: as of Friday evening, neither the city nor the courts had published when each court will begin hearing cases in the new building. The Clerk of Superior and State Courts still lists its office in the Government Center tower, 2nd floor. Until a move notice is issued, go where your summons or notice tells you.

The Columbus Consolidated Government and the Courts of Muscogee County are hosting the ceremony at the building, 100 10th St. They announced it in a city release dated Oct. 23.

What happens on the day

The release says:

  • Chief Justice Nels S.D. Peterson of the Supreme Court of Georgia will be the guest speaker.
  • City and court leaders will speak, including reflections on Judge John D. Allen’s contributions to the community.
  • A tour of the building follows straight after the ribbon cutting.

“The project reflects the value of collaboration among public officials, judicial leaders, and community partners,” Mayor Skip Henderson said in the release. “Investments in public institutions require a shared commitment to meeting the needs of residents today while building a stronger foundation for future generations.”

10th Street closes from 11:30 a.m.

To set up for the ceremony, the city will close 10th Street between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue from 11:30 a.m. Friday. The release did not give a reopening time. The city asked drivers to plan another route and allow extra time in the area.

That block is in the middle of Uptown. Our road work page lists the other closures in Columbus this week, including two railroad crossings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

How the building got here

Columbus Council heard a design update on the judicial center on Nov. 7, 2023, according to the minutes of that meeting. The minutes record that:

  • the architect, Barnes Gibson Partners Architects, presented the design
  • Gilbane Building Company went through the budget and the changes made to stay within it
  • the deputy city manager for finance presented on the SPLOST bonds and the project budget
  • Council voted unanimously, with nine members present, for an expanded design with four more shell courtrooms, paid for from the General Fund and/or OLOST infrastructure reserves

Shell courtrooms are built as space but not fitted out, so they can be finished later when the courts need them.

What it means for you

  • To attend: be at 100 10th St. by 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. The release says community members are invited, and no ticket or registration is mentioned.
  • If you drive through Uptown on Friday: avoid 10th Street between 1st and 2nd avenues from 11:30 a.m.
  • If you have court business: the release does not say when each court will start hearing cases in the new building. Check the Muscogee County courts website or the notice that came with your summons before you go. For jury service, follow the instructions on your summons.
  • Questions about the building: the city’s Inspections and Codes Department, 706-225-3878.

We will update this story when the courts publish their move dates.