John Barros, interim director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, has withdrawn from the development team behind the project to rebuild a Springfield courthouse as legal and political pressure mounts over the state's selection. The Roderick L. Ireland Courthouse, the home of the Springfield District Court, has long been in need of replacement. The state provisionally selected the Liberty Junction team in early July to transform a different building in downtown Springfield into the new courthouse. In a joint statement with Liberty Junction, Barros said he is "divesting his ownership interest" in the proposed courthouse, effective immediately. Claiborne Williams, principal of the Liberty Junction team, said they "deeply appreciate John's contribution to this project and his willingness to step back for the community's benefit."