Circuit Court Prepares for Move, Makeover

The Howard County Circuit Court is getting ready for a move.

Over the Labor Day weekend, the Circuit Court personnel will be moving to the AscendOne building in Columbia while renovations begin at the Ellicott City courthouse.

Renovations will provide better elevator access for visitors and staff; improve the layout of offices, making them more intuitive for visitors; upgrade HVAC systems; and add space for people who are at the courthouse to fulfill their civic duties. 

“Today we had 120 jurors and there aren’t places for everyone to sit,” Court Administrator Suzanne James said on Monday, the first day of jury selection for a Columbia . “[Jurors] sit on steps, on the floor, they sit everywhere.” 

When renovations are complete, there will be a new jury courtroom, new jury deliberation and hearing rooms and “other functional spaces,” according to the FY2011 capital budget.

The project comes in at about $8.5 million and is expected to take about a year and a half.

Another noticeable difference will be a more open entryway, James said. Currently, when visitors arrive at the courthouse, they walk into a small entrance area that has room for little more than the security checkpoint.

As part of the renovation project, the security station will be upgraded “for more effective check-in and flow of citizens,” according to the budget, and, according to James, room for a small information desk.

All updates will be to the interior of the building. There will not be an expansion of the building in general, as grant funding was not available for “long-term efforts.” 

HOWARD COUNTY COURTHOUSE MOVE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

When: On Friday, Sept. 2, the Ellicott City courthouse will be closed. The courthouse will reopen in its temporary location on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Where: The temporary courthouse location will be at the AscendOne building (8930 Stanford Blvd.) in Columbia.

Details: The Circuit Court's mailing address will remain the same: 8360 Court Ave., Ellicott City, MD 21043. Federal Express, UPS or other messenger service packages or documents must be sent to the temporary physical address: 8930 Stanford Blvd., Columbia, MD, 21045. All telephone numbers will remain the same.