SILVER SPRING, MD (September 22, 2004) – Demonstrating the State’s commitment to revitalizing existing communities, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today joined State, judicial and county officials at the dedication of the new $27 million Silver Spring District Court Building.

“This courthouse is a major ingredient in the revitalization of this vibrant Silver Spring community,” said Governor Ehrlich. “We anticipate this facility will bring jobs to this area and will attract additional investment. It has already been a major economic shot-in-the-arm for Silver Spring, as well as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization.”

The District Court of Maryland handles traffic cases, civil cases up to $25,000 and landlord tenant issues. The 71,392 square-foot, four-story building was built on a 1.3 acre parcel of land at Second and Apple Avenues. In addition to four new courtrooms, the new building will include offices for the District Six court operations, Commissioners, State’s Attorney, Public Defender, Parole and Probation and the Drunk Driver Monitoring Program.

“This facility allows us to serve the citizens of Silver Spring and Montgomery County with better access to their Court,” said District Court Chief Judge James N. Vaughan. “The new courthouse will help ease an ever-increasing and changing caseload, and will assist us in providing the quality service our citizens expect and deserve.”

The general contractor for the new courthouse was Hess Construction of Gaithersburg. The architect for the project was HLM Design, Inc, of Bethesda. Construction of the building, administered by the Maryland Department of General Services (DGS), created more than 400 jobs during the construction process. The DGS project was built on time and $500,000 under budget as a result of efficient construction processes.

CONTACT:

Dave Humphrey, Director of External Affairs
DGS Office of External Affairs
410-767-4652
E-MAIL: Dave.Humphrey@dgs.state.md.us

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