Howard County in USA broke ground on the new Howard County Circuit Courthouse. The 238,000 square foot facility will be completed through a public-private partnership, the first for Howard County, and resolve deficiencies in the existing Courthouse, which was built 175 years ago and has numerous safety challenges. Simultaneous commercial and financial close for the project was achieved in October 2018 and the new Courthouse is scheduled to be completed in July 2021.

The new Courthouse design features a four-story atrium, a large entryway that will provide safety screening for those entering the Courthouse and separate hallways and elevators for prisoners. The Courthouse will also include office space for the Howard County State’s Attorney, Howard County Sheriff, Howard County Bar Association, Maryland Public Defender, Clerk of the Court and Register of Wills, among others, a courtroom for a sixth judge, a larger and more comfortable jury assembly area, and a 682-space parking garage adjacent to the building. 

The Courthouse will be certified, at a minimum, LEED Silver for sustainability and the builders, at the request of County Executive Ball, are working toward Gold status. The project will result in an over 50% reduction of impervious surface and no existing trees will be removed, with over 100 new trees planted.