The State of Maryland (US) is moving forward with the Howard County’s Circuit Courthouse renovation project after Howard County Executive Allan H. Kittleman, pre-filed a resolution to deliver the project through an hybrid innovative public-private partnership (P3). 

The proposed hybrid P3 would blend public and private financing. The winning consortium would be responsible for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the new Courthouse for 30 years. 

The project with an estimated investment of US$138.7 million, aims to solve the lack of space in the current facilities which have reached a breaking point. The project also seeks to improve security in the courthouse separating prisoners, victims, judges and jurors. 

Authorities have been mulling over this project for more than a decade. The last renovation of the courthouse was 30 years ago and in that time, the number of cases filed has jumped by 225 percent.

Previous attempts of carry out the revamp of the aging courthouse have always failed. This was, in part, because of the large budget needed to develop the project.

According to sources, Allan H. Kittleman said:

“The existing Circuit Courthouse is 174 years old. Despite multiple renovations, it can no longer be updated to compensate for its limitations. A new courthouse has been discussed and delayed for nearly 20 years and it’s badly needed, but we also have to balance our priorities of education, public safety, infrastructure and community services. That is why we needed an innovative solution to fund the courthouse, without impacting our ability to address those priorities. This public-private partnership is the most efficient and effective way to deliver a modern facility at the best value to our taxpayers in the long run.”