The new 238,000-square-foot courthouse is in full construction at 9250 Bendix Road in Columbia. Construction of the new building will resolve issues of the current 175-year-old Ellicott City courthouse and will improve both public safety and access to justice.
“This is the largest capital project in the history of our county, we are ushering in a new era of safety, innovation and justice in Howard County,” County Executive Calvin Ball said in a statement. The Howard County Circuit Courthouse in old Ellicott City became overcrowded and lacked adequate security.
Howard County selected Edgemoor-Star America Judicial Partners to lead the design, construction, partial financing, and facility operation and maintenance of the more than $75 million venture. The Columbia site was obvious because it’s 29 acres the county already owns.
Mike Hartman, division president at Bethesda-headquartered Clark Construction Group, said that Howard County strongly encouraged local businesses to be included in the project. Among those, Sody Concrete was selected to provide Concrete construction.
Demolition of the Dorsey Building began in June 2019, and construction of the 691-space parking garage and courthouse is expected to be completed by June 2021.
