Senators Want Answers About Possible Closure of U.S. Courthouse in Fergus Falls, Fargo Building Also Makes List

The Federal Building and Post Office in Fargo are also on the U.S. General Services Administration list.

FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (KVRR/KFGO) — Public safety concerns are being raised over the reported closure and sale of the Edward J. Devitt U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Fergus Falls.

Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith say the closure could undermine public safety and access to justice in Western Minnesota.

They have sent a letter to the General Services Administration administrator and director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts raising their concerns.

They say it’s the only federal courthouse outside of Minneapolis-St. Paul and Duluth.

It is also home to U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Probation Office.

They say with an abrupt and unplanned closure, these essential services will be disrupted, putting communities at risk.

The courthouse was constructed in 1902 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

You can access full text of the letter here.

The Federal Building and Post Office in Fargo are also on the U.S. General Services Administration and also listed as non-core properties.

The GSA says non-core properties are surplus, and are either vacant or underutilized.

Those properties could either be sold or repurposed by another government agency.

The Quentin N. Burdick U.S. Courthouse in Fargo is not listed as non-core.