After years of debate as to whether Terre Haute would keep a U.S. District Court, a new federal courthouse is set to open Aug. 24.

Construction began on the 14,000 square-foot building last summer that will house the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District, clerks' offices for both courts, and the U.S Probation Office. The U.S. Attorney's Office and U.S. Marshals Service will also have space within the building.

The new building was needed because the current federal building no longer met the security requirements for federal buildings. The courts also shared space with the U.S. Post Office, which wanted more space for postal operations. USPS made the decision to stop leasing space in the federal building in 2000, forcing the courts to look for alternative locations.

In September 2005, a decision was made to close the District Court in Terre Haute, but less than a year later, the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts in Washington, D.C., confirmed that the location would remain open.

The current federal building will be converted by Indiana State University for its School of Business. The new courthouse will incorporate furniture and features from the current courthouse.

The Terre Haute Division will have limited operations Friday as the move is made to 921 Ohio St. in Terre Haute. Starting Aug. 24, phone numbers will change to:

- U.S. District Court Clerk's Office: (812) 231-1840

- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Clerk's Office (812) 231-1850

- U.S. District and Bankruptcy Court Fax: (812) 231-1844

- U.S. Probation Office: (812) 231-1855