It's still unclear how the decision to seek bids for the new courthouse would affect construction timing.
Nutter struck an optimistic tone: "Since it's anticipated that construction will start in early July, I look forward to seeing all of you at a groundbreaking . . . just down the street."
But starting from scratch could mean substantial delays. Ed Myslewicz, a DGS spokesman, said the agency typically bids such projects in four stages. The process can take as long as a year.
Advocates who have been pushing for the new courthouse said they were impatient to get started, but also said they did not want a project tainted by allegations of conflicts and double-dealing.
"We've been on this for seven years," said Frank Cervone, executive director of the Support Center for Child Advocates. But Cervone said Rotwitt's dual role complicated matters.
"I think Jeff Rotwitt has to give the money back," he said.
Lynn A. Marks, executive director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, also applauded the move to competitively bid the project, though it was likely to delay the start of construction. But she stressed that the state still needed to move as quickly as possible.
"The clock is ticking while Ed Rendell is still governor," said Marks, a leader in the push for the new courthouse. "We hope all the players are going to work this out."
The preliminaries to possibly unwind that deal began earlier this week.
On Tuesday, lawyer Henry E. Hockeimer Jr. of the firm Ballard Spahr, which represents the courts and Castille, sent Pulver and Rotwitt a letter asking them to detail their partnership and list everyone who received any money from the courts.
Rotwitt did not respond. Lawyers for Pulver did not provide the information, but said, "We previously advised your firm of the involvement of Deilwydd Property Group L.L.C. and Mr. Rotwitt in this project months ago."
Feeley declined to comment on Rotwitt's dual roles, other than to repeat that documents showed that court representatives knew about his work as developer.
Contact staff writer Joseph Tanfani at 215-854-2684 or jtanfani@phillynews.com.
