Cedar Rapids’ planned new courthouse has been bumped up on the priority list for construction by the Judicial Conference of the U.S. Courts Executive Committee, in lieu of severe flood damage to the existing 77 year-old courthouse. Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley have been working the past few weeks to get the courthouse moved up, which has been delayed for fifteen years while other courthouse projects have been expedited. This is certainly good news for Cedar Rapids and downtown. The 8-story building that will be elevated above the 500 year flood plane will enhance the city’s skyline and be a very visible sign of the city’s triumph over the flood. According to the Gazette, construction could begin as early as next year.