Ellicott City Courthouse Renovation Plans Uncertain

A Howard County Circuit Court administrative judge has decided that security at a Columbia building was inadequate for it to serve as a temporary courthouse while the courthouse in Ellicott City was being renovated, The Baltimore Sun has reported.

Courthouse operations were supposed to be relocated to the Ascend One building, 8930 Stanford Blvd., Columbia, last September so that  on the original historic county courthouse in Ellicott City. But the move was postponed while court officials worked on security concerns at the Columbia location.

Judge Lenore R. Gelfman told the Sun this week that additional security enhancements could not be worked out following several meetings with county government officials.

As a result, Gelfman said that court and county officials and members of the legal community will form a committee to investigate whether to build a new courthouse or make additions to the existing building, the Sun reported.

Originally, the $8.5 million in were to provide better elevator access for visitors and staff; improve the layout of offices, making them easier for visitors; upgrade HVAC systems, and add space for residents who reported for jury duty.

In the past, court officials have complained of overcrowding in the courthouse. 

Last year, Court Administrator Suzanne James described crowded conditions for prospective jurors. “Today we had 120 jurors and there aren’t places for everyone to sit,”  James , the first day of jury selection for the . “[Jurors] sit on steps, on the floor, they sit everywhere.”