Construction work on a new Rockville District Courthouse could begin as early as August, state officials say, effectively killing the hopes of some Rockville residents who tried to prevent the state from building in a location they say will create traffic nightmares.
Dave Humphrey, spokesman for the Maryland Department of General Services, said state leaders chose the controversial site, 191 E. Jefferson St. where an old library now sits, after a former Rockville city planner recommended the location in 1999.
The state then acquired the land from Montgomery County and has spent more than $4 million on design plans for the site.
“The city of Rockville had ample opportunity to participate in the design of the building,” Humphrey said. “There were public information sessions in spring 2005, at which time conceptual designs were presented to the city’s mayor and council. The state has complied with all requirements by making information available to the city of Rockville.”
Rockville City Councilwoman Anne Robbins said she and several other council members, along with most residents, remain opposed to the state’s decision. Homes throughout Rockville have been dotted with yard signs saying “Move the Courthouse!” for months, and city leaders have unsuccessfully pitched alternative sites.
“This is not the place to build the courthouse, not the place at all,” Robbins said. “That kind of traffic doesn’t belong in a residential area — to bring in all those people and all that traffic is the wrong thing to do here.”
The new Rockville District Court will be the largest of the state’s district courts, seven stories tall and 167,072 square feet that will hold nine courtrooms and three dispute-resolution rooms.
Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett supports the location, according to his spokesman Patrick Lacefield.
Rockville Mayor Susan Hoffman said the area is not pedestrian friendly and does not have adjacent parking to accommodate the 2,000 visits a day expected at the new courthouse.
Hoffman said she is not optimistic that state leaders will change their minds at this point.
“We’ve lobbied, we’ve begged but there is not really anything more we can do,” Hoffman said. “The funding has been approved and the budget language is site specific. The city has no more means to challenge this.”
