About $3.5 million in economic stimulus money aimed at Richmond's new federal courthouse will be spent on solar panels and related improvements.
The U.S. General Services Administration says the Spottswood W. Robinson III and Robert R. Merhige Jr. United States Courthouse, complete with a six-story atrium, was designed to be one of the most energy-efficient buildings in its inventory. The project cost $102 million.
But, said GSA spokeswoman Gina Blyther Gilliam, "this project will allow added energy efficiencies. The project includes installing a solar panel system on the roof to generate electricity.
"The solar panels are expected to reduce the facility's energy consumption and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. We are still working on developing our plans and refining the scope of work. Once details are finalized, additional information will be provided," she said.
Sens. Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner announced this week that the GSA has released $66.3 million in stimulus funds for energy-efficiency projects at five federal buildings in Virginia, including the new courthouse.
The courthouse, at 701 E. Broad St. in downtown Richmond, opened in September. It occupies an entire block and houses the Richmond divisions of U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court and related agencies. It includes nine courtrooms and 363,000 square feet of space.
Contact Frank Green at (804) 649-6340 or fgreen@timesdispatch.com.
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