In July, 2008, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced that the Judicial Conference of the U.S. Courts Executive Committee unanimously agreed to give the Cedar Rapids Courthouse elevated priority for construction.  The prioritization came after the 1931 structure was seriously damaged by the floods of 2008.  The courthouse had previously been determined to be insufficient in terms of space.  Construction estimates were projected to be more than $140 million.

The new 281,902-square-foot facility will have five courtrooms, and associated facilities for the U.S. Courts operations and ten other federal government agencies.

Ryan Companies US, Inc. won the bid as general contractor and Baker Company became the Union Sheet Metal Contractor, employing Sheet Metal professionals from SMWIA Local #263.