GSA acting Regional Administrator Jeff Neely spoke about how the project honors the late Judge Roll, while also reducing the federal government's consumption of electricity, water, and increased use of renewable sources of energy.

"Today we honor a pillar of our nation's community and re-affirm the importance of his life's work: equal justice under the law.  We do so by gathering to grace this building with his name.  As we commemorate today's groundbreaking we remember the tremendous contributions of Judge Roll to this community, this state, and this great country," said Neely. 
 
The event was marked by presentations and tributes to the late Judge Roll by congressional representatives, District Court judges, state and city officials and Judge Roll's son, Robert Roll.  Grijalva and Ron Barber, Gifford's District Director presented a "Redline" to Mrs. Roll in honor of the groundbreaking.  The redline, which is a print copy of the legislation declaring the Yuma courthouse as the John M. Roll U.S. Courthouse, included personal messages from all Arizona congressional delegates, with the exception of Giffords who was out of state recovering from her injury.  
 
Gov. Brewer issued a proclamation which honored of the event and highlighted Judge Roll's contributions to the state of Arizona, calling him "a hero and a man of law and love."
 
Judge Roll served as a board member on GSA's source selection panel and played an integral role in awarding the contract for this project.  During the selection process he commented on the building's architectural style.

"The Southwest flavor of this concept retains the dignity of a federal courthouse.  It is a great fit for the immediate area, particularly as positioned [and] the front entrance is prominent and inviting," Judge Roll said.
 
The 56,800 square foot federal courthouse will reinterpret and update the classical American courthouse while adapting to the Southern Arizona climate utilizing 21st century durable materials and energy efficient technologies.   The complex will house two magistrate courtrooms, judges' chambers, jury facilities, U.S. Probation and Pretrial services, District and Bankruptcy Court Services, and the U.S. Marshals Service.  
 
The centerpiece of the courthouse - a large, solar panel canopy - brings the latest in innovative technology to the forefront.  The panels will use the bright Arizona sun to generate one quarter of the building's electrical demand and the shade they provide will shelter employees and visitors and create an open and accessible ambience.
 
The design also features living walls, two dozen highly efficient, independently-controlled air fans, and locally-sourced Arizona sandstone.   As the sandstone reflects the constancy and permanence of our legal system, the two-story glass lobby demonstrates its transparency and equality. 
 
Ehrlich Architects, teamed with Phoenix-based Sundt Construction, was awarded the courthouse project in November 2010 after winning a design-build competition sponsored by the GSA Design Excellence Program. The courthouse is expected to be complete in spring 2013.
 
For more information, contact Ms. Traci Madison, Regional Public Affairs Officer at (415) 264-9401 or traci.madison@gsa.gov.