§6506 Allocation of Space

Summary

The Architect of the Capitol must give the federal courts the space in the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building and related improvements. The courts pay back costs for their space. If the Chief Justice says some space is not needed by the courts, the Architect can offer that space to other federal agencies (but not congressional offices), and those agencies must also pay back costs. Any space left over can be subleased to private tenants under the Commission for the Judiciary Office Building. Payments for court or agency space use a rate set in section 6504(b)(2) plus an extra amount each year to cover building administration costs (operation, maintenance, repairs, security, and building systems). That extra amount is decided by the Architect and, for the courts, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, or by the other agency for its space. The Director can assign space among judicial offices. If the Chief Justice asks for more space, the Architect must provide it within 90 days (or have GSA vacate by a date they agree). The Chief Justice has first choice on unused space. With certain approvals, the Architect may lease up to 75,000 square feet for its use. Subleases must match local market rent (and at least the rate in section 6504(b)(2) plus agreed admin costs), must not interfere with the courts, and rent collected goes into the account described in section 6507.