NATCHEZ — After years of planning and work and many opening date changes, the federal courthouse has a scheduled completion date of Aug. 24.

Although the court does not have a set move-in date, a dedication ceremony for the building will likely be in October or November, General Services Administration spokesman Gary Mote said.

“The courts and the (U.S.) Marshals requested a few modifications,” Mote said. “That’s under way. Other remaining work includes completing some millwork (detail work) and installing carpet, furnishing and signage.”

The GSA, which owns the building, filmed at intervals throughout the renovation for a documentary detailing the process.

At the dedication ceremony, the administration will finish filming, Jeffrey Jensen GSA historic preservation specialist said.

“We definitely want to get where we can get reactions from folks in town and see what they think of the building,” Jensen said.

The building on Pearl Street was used for a variety of uses since its 1853 dedication, Natchez Historic Foundation Director of Education Mimi Miller said.

Built as a public school auditorium, the building served as an opera hall, a skating rink, a forum for the Historic Natchez Pageant and Mardi Gras celebrations and a public library, among other things.

Miller said she was glad to see the building renovated and put to use, even if it meant blending traditional and modern styles.

“Buildings that aren’t used don’t survive,” Miller said. “This particular building did not have a good future. Natchez didn’t need any more auditoriums downtown.”

When the building closed, the foundation bought it in 1987 to preserve it.

In 2001, the foundation, the city, the U.S. Courts, the U.S. Marshals and the GSA began working together to renovate the building and turn it into a federal courthouse.

“I don’t know if any other project has had as many partners,” Miller said. “That’s very rare.”

The courthouse will bring in dollars to the community, Miller said.

“In the great scheme of things, it’s good for the Natchez economy, with jurors and prosecutors coming to town,” she said. “And the building has been preserved.”