Aberdeen trying to return federal court to city
“Workers soon will begin installing a new fire sprinkler system in the old federal courthouse in Aberdeen in hopes that the renovation will help return court proceedings to the Hub City.
The city of Aberdeen took ownership of the building through eminent domain late last year after the relationship between the U.S. General Services Administration and former building owner Green World Aberdeen deteriorated. The GSA, an independent agency that handles federal property, had been leasing the space since it sold the building to Green World in 2008, but it decided to let the lease expire because the landlord was not keeping up with new building requirements.
U. S. District Judge Charles Kornmann suggested the city use eminent domain, which allows government entities to take possession of property if doing so is in the public good.
Aberdeen Mayor Mike Levsen said losing federal court proceedings would hurt the city and region.
“For a person here with a civil case that is at the federal level, you have to drive all the way to Pierre or Sioux Falls,” Levsen said.”
Lammers, Dirk. SF Gate 4 March 2014.