On Monday, Congressmen José E. Serrano, Jerrold Nadler and Peter King joined Chief Judge Loretta A. Preska to announce that the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Federal Courthouse has received $10.4 million in federal funds to build a new state-of-the-art security pavilion. The security pavilion was planned for shortly after 9/11 but until the intercession of the New York Congressional delegation, it had continued to wait. The project will improve security screening and also alleviate congestion. The funding came through a reprogramming of leftover and unused funds from other federal projects.
“I was happy to be able to intercede on the Moynihan Courthouse’s behalf from my seat on the Appropriations Committee,” said Congressman Serrano, Ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the General Services Agency, which funded the project. “We know that keeping our federal buildings secure is of the utmost importance, especially one with high sensitivity trials involving national security like Moynihan. Waiting years after 9/11 was unacceptable, and my colleagues and I finally were able to convince GSA to make these vital improvements. In addition, I want to recognize the hard work of the Southern District’s Chief Judge, Loretta Preska, and District Executive Ed Friedland. They educated many of us about the problem, and galvanized a search for a solution. Our federal building security must be more efficient than ever, and this pavilion will be just such a solution.”
“This new security pavilion is an essential modernization of the Moynihan Courthouse that will ensure that Manhattan’s federal court is a safe space for all who use it,” said Congressman Nadler. “For the wheels of justice to operate smoothly, it is vital that our courthouses be secure. This is especially true in my district in Lower Manhattan, where we are still very much living in the shadow of 9/11. I have worked for many years on this worthy project, and I’m so pleased that our courthouse will now be properly protected. I want to thank Chief Judge Preska, Rep. Serrano, Rep. King, and GSA for their critical work in making this happen.”
“As the leading terrorist target, New York’s security is essential,” said Congressman King. “I am proud to have played a part in ensuring funds for the Moynihan Federal Courthouse’s new security pavilion. It is imperative that all those who work for justice can do so in a secure environment.”
The new security pavilion will become the main public entrance and will separate general public from employees, which will enhance and upgrade existing security and will better protect the public, jurors, judges, employees, attorneys, and other visitors to the courthouse. The pavilion will allow an increase in queuing and screening capacity because additional screening stations and magnetometers can be added, alleviating overcrowding. Construction will begin in October 2013 and is expected to be completed in April 2015.