Minnesota Senators Seek Answers on Potential Closure of Fergus Falls Federal Courthouse

The Edward J. Devitt U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Fergus Falls serves as the sole federal courthouse outside Minnesota’s major metropolitan areas of Minneapolis-St. Paul and Duluth. Beyond its judicial functions, the building houses critical law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Probation Office, which provide essential services across the western region of the state.
Senators Klobuchar and Smith have raised alarms that an abrupt and unplanned closure of this facility would not only hinder judicial proceedings but also disrupt these vital law enforcement operations, thereby putting communities at risk. They also highlighted concerns that the GSA may not have adhered to its own protocols for public engagement and strategic planning before considering the disposal of such a significant federal property.
The senators have requested detailed information from the GSA regarding any plans to close or sell the courthouse. They are seeking assurances that measures will be taken to maintain uninterrupted access to justice and public safety services for the residents of western Minnesota.