Columbus, Ga. — Columbus will hold a ribbon-cutting for the John D. Allen Judicial Center at 100 10th Street on Friday, Oct. 30, at 1:30 p.m., with Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Nels S.D. Peterson as the special guest speaker. The public is invited, and a tour of the building follows the ceremony.

That afternoon will also close part of 10th Street downtown, one of three road closures planned in Columbus next week.

Columbus Consolidated Government and the Courts of Muscogee County are hosting the event. The ceremony is meant "to celebrate the facility and honor the legacy of Judge John D. Allen," according to the city's announcement.

What to know

The program

The ceremony will bring together local officials, judicial leaders and community partners. Along with Peterson, city and judicial leaders will speak, including reflections on Judge Allen's contributions to the community.

Mayor Skip Henderson said the building is the product of teamwork.

"The project reflects the value of collaboration among public officials, judicial leaders, and community partners," Henderson said. "Investments in public institutions require a shared commitment to meeting the needs of residents today while building a stronger foundation for future generations."

What we don't know yet

The city's announcement didn't include the building's cost or size, when regular court business will start there, which courts will move in, or background on Judge Allen. The Columbus Times will report more after the Oct. 30 ceremony.

10th Street closes Friday morning

To get ready for the ceremony, 10th Street between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue will close starting at 11:30 a.m. Friday, two hours before the ribbon-cutting. The city didn't give a reopening time.

Drivers should plan another route and leave extra time downtown that day.

Questions about the event can go to Ryan Pruett, the city's Inspections & Codes director, at 706-225-3878.

Also closing next week: 2 railroad crossings

Norfolk Southern is doing track maintenance at two crossings. Signed detours will be posted.

If you use either crossing on your daily drive, plan for the detour or go before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

Next week at a glance

How we did this

This story is based on two Columbus Consolidated Government news releases: the Oct. 23, 2026, ribbon-cutting announcement and the Oct. 21, 2026, notices of Norfolk Southern railroad crossing closures.