The Department of General Services held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Catonsville District Courthouse in Baltimore County. The facility, spanning 130,000 square feet on 5.9 acres in the Rolling Crossroads Professional Park, will feature eight courtrooms and accommodate four state judicial agencies. General Services is responsible for overseeing the construction of this project.
Attendees at the event included Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, Department of General Services Secretary Ellington Churchill, Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera, District Court Chief Judge John Morrissey, and Baltimore County District Court Administrative Judge Dorothy Wilson.
Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford remarked on the significance of the courthouse: “The Catonsville District Courthouse is an important facility to our state and judicial system.” He added that projects like this one create jobs and improve services for citizens, contributing to economic development in Maryland.
Chief Judge Barbera expressed gratitude for support from the Governor’s Office and the General Assembly: “Not only will the Catonsville District Court add much needed courtrooms in Baltimore County... but the facility also will have the capacity to house services that increase access to justice.”
The courthouse design incorporates modern technology and security upgrades to meet current standards. It features eco-friendly elements such as bio-retention systems and a "green roof," aiming for LEED Silver Certification.
Chief Judge Morrissey highlighted that most Marylanders experience the court system through District Courts: “Our new Baltimore County District Court will be a step forward in courthouse design...” The timing aligns with launching MDEC in Baltimore County, connecting court records statewide.
Secretary Churchill emphasized collaboration with the Judiciary: “As the lead agency for state building construction, we know the importance of delivering a quality project on time and on budget.”
Judge Wilson noted that each judge serves approximately 63,000 residents with around 300,000 case filings annually. The new courthouse aims to provide secure environments and access to necessary services.
The construction cost is estimated at $54.5 million, including both courthouse and parking garage expenses. The projected opening date is March 2019.