‘Accelerated disposition’ planned for federal Medford courthouse

The James A. Redden Courthouse was added to the General Services Administration’s roundup of “assets identified for accelerated disposition” on May 1. The Medford site is now one of two Oregon properties that could soon shutter, with Portland’s Gus J. Solomon U.S. Courthouse being publicly identified back on Apr. 17.

GSA’s move to dispose of these properties comes as federal leaders are “focused on rightsizing the federal real estate portfolio to reduce the burden on the American taxpayer while also delivering space that enables its agency customers to achieve their missions,” the administration said.

“This initiative aims to engage the market, attract interested parties, and inform strategies that will expedite the disposition of federal assets, consistent with all applicable laws,” the agency added.

The James A. Redden Courthouse will free up 29,834 square feet of space. It was previously identified as one of GSA’s 320 “non-core” properties, but federal leaders have since scrapped the list in favor of a “more incremental approach” that focuses on buildings that have already been assessed on factors like operating costs and utilization.

According to GSA, the Medford site first opened as a courthouse and post office in 1916 — but it began solely operating as a courthouse when the post office relocated in 1963. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the end of the following decade.

But as the U.S. prepares for the sale of this property and others alike, other officials have opposed the act.

In a letter sent to GSA in March, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said the closures would negatively impact the businesses and communities surrounding the identified buildings.