The Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Savannah (originally constructed as the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse) is located on a prominent site within the city’s National Historic Landmark District. The building occupies an entire city block bounded by Bull, York, Whitaker, and State Streets, adjacent to Wright Square.
The Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse was built primarily to house the Savannah post office, which was previously located in the U.S. Custom House. In 1894, excavations began at this site which itself was notable in Savannah’s history as the former location of a courthouse where John Wesley, founder of Methodism, preached in 1736 and 1737.
Designed in the Second Renaissance Revival style, the original portion of the building is constructed entirely of white Georgia marble, and features the typical Italianate tripartite facade divisions characteristic of the style.
By July 30, 1899, all departments of the post office were in the new government building. It also housed the U.S. Courts, the U.S. Engineers, and the U.S. Weather Bureau. The building was enlarged between 1930 and 1932, when it was extended north to encompass the remainder of the block. Today, the building serves as offices for the U.S. District Court and Court-related functions.
In 2005, Congress renamed the federal courthouse after Yamacraw Indian Chief Tomochichi. According to House Report 2523, “Tomochichi was born around the year 1650 into the Creek Indian tribe town of Coweta. He was raised as a Creek warrior, and became well respected within his village for his good judgment and wisdom. Even at a young age, he was consulted on various matters of politics and law. In 1728, he established the town of Yamacraw located on the Savannah River. In 1733, Tomochichi encountered English settlers led by General James Edward Oglethorpe, who arrived at what was to become the new colony of Georgia. Tomochichi befriended Oglethorpe and assisted him in not only the creation of a new English colony to be named Savannah, but also in the colony’s relations with neighboring Creek tribes. In 1734, Tomochichi accompanied Oglethorpe to England to approve a treaty between the Creek Nation and the English. The friendship between Tomochichi and Oglethorpe aided in the peaceful coexistence between the Creek and the English during the period prior to the founding of the United States. Tomochichi died in 1739, and was buried in what is now known as Wright Square in Savannah, Georgia.”
In 2016, Congress appropriated funds for modernizing the historic Tomochichi Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Savannah, Georgia, to meet the U.S. Judiciary’s current and long-term needs for security, accessibility and operational efficiency.
Project Work History
Construction began in Fall 2021. On April 11, 2023, a section of the 3rd Floor collapsed. The stabilization and debris removal related to the floor collapse was completed in October 2023. The original scope of the renovation project also resumed in October 2023. Tower work resumed in November 2023. Rebuilding the damaged structure began in January 2024.
Project Schedule
GSA worked with the construction contractor to develop a revised schedule as a result of the partial floor collapse that occurred in April 2023.
- The project is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2026.
- Following construction completion, the Court and U.S. Marshals Service will prepare the space for occupancy and move into the building, which will take several months.
- The Tomochichi Courthouse is anticipated to be operational in late 2026 or early 2027.
Road closures and lane shifts currently in place and planned include:
Whitaker Street and York Street closures are required in order to install and connect underground utilities and remove Tower scaffolding.
At various times during the period of February 3 through March 12, Whitaker Street (south of State and north of York) and York Street (between Whitaker and Bull Streets) will be closed.
- 2/03 - 2/05 Closed: Whitaker Street
- 2/06 - 2/09 Open for Savannah Book Festival: Whitaker Street and York Street (with lane restriction)
- 2/10 - 2/14 Closed: Whitaker Street
- 2/15 - 2/17 Open Presidents’ Day weekend: Whitaker Street and York Street (with lane restriction)
- 2/18 - 2/25 York Street full closure
- 2/26 - 2/28 Closed: Whitaker Street (York Street open with lane restriction)
- 3/01 - 3/02 Open: Whitaker Street and York Street (with lane restriction)
- 3/03 - 3/07 Closed: Whitaker Street (York Street open with lane restriction)
3/10 - 3/12 - 3/13 York Street permanent reopening with no restrictions
- 3/13 - 3/17 Open St. Patrick’s Day weekend: Whitaker and York Streets
- 3/18 Whitaker Street single lane weekday closure resumes
Please refer to this calendar.
Of note:
- York Street parking lane shift will be in place during Whitaker Street closures through March 12.
- Existing Whitaker Street weekday lane closure resumes on March 18.
- York Street gutter repair work may be required after March 18.
Project Work Status (as of February 5, 2025)
- Structural upgrades for the courthouse will be complete in February with the final placement of structural steel on the bridge connector.
- Roof and gutter repair work design will continue with repair mock-ups completed in January which allowed us to finalize design. Construction will follow this spring.
- Tower work is continuing with all exterior work to be complete no later than March 12, 2025:
- Structural upgrades are now complete.
- Exterior stone masonry repairs and cleaning have been completed.
- Final inspections are taking place in early February and the tower scaffolding is scheduled to be removed in late February to early March.
- Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems rough-in installation is ongoing.
- Inspections began in January 2025 allowing the next step of closing in the walls throughout the building .
- Close in has started on the first floor and will move through the building.
Project details:
- Total estimated project costs: $90,909,618 (design, construction, and related expenses).
- Project delivery method: Construction Manager as Constructor (CMc).
- Architect of record: Liollio/Hartman-Cox.
- Completed project milestones:
- Preliminary design announcement: January 2020.
- Final design delivery: March 2022.
- Construction start: September 2021.
- Awarded contracts
- Jacobs Engineering (Construction Manager as Agent) – Awarded December 2017.
- Liollio/Hartman-Cox (Architect/Engineer) – Awarded December 2019.
- Brasfield & Gorrie (Construction Manager as Constructor) – Awarded February 2021.
News releases
Media Inquiries
Cathy Rineer-Garber
Public Affairs Officer
cathleen.garber@gsa.gov
404-314-8540
U.S. General Services Administration
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