Feasibility Study for Proposed New Baltimore City Courthouse Complex Released
The Maryland Judiciary has announced the release of a feasibility study for a proposed new courthouse complex for Baltimore City.
The study was overseen by the Maryland Stadium Authority, and performed by Washington, D.C. architectural and design firm Aecom. The study began in 2009 and has taken two years to complete.
I took a few moments and skimmed through the study. It reveals what every lawyer practicing in Baltimore City has known for years- the existing courthouse complex is outdated, inefficient, dangerous and difficult to maintain, to the point where the administration of justice is often affected. No fooling. I think the entire Baltimore legal community has agreed about this for years.
Even though the project is estimated to cost $602 million, the report does not address the elephant in the room- how to get the $602 million. Just like everybody knows the new complex is desperately needed, everybody also knows that the City is broke and the state government is facing a down economy and a structural budget deficit. And now that the GOP and the Tea Party (regardless of your political views, clearly fiscal conservatives) are running Congress, I don't see federal funds falling out of the sky anytime soon. Particularly since Maryland and Baltimore City tend to vote solidly blue.
But if funds can be found to build the thing, the MSA and Aecom have some intriguing ideas about revenue generation. For example, the study contemplates Courthouse East including rental office space marketable to law firms. In total, the completed project is estimated to generate approximately $1.6 million annually in rental income.
Interestingly, one of the revenue options discussed is the concept of selling naming rights in a variety of different ways. I wonder if this is the fingerprint of the Maryland Stadium Authority, the folks who brought us Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards (1998), PSINet Stadium (1999-2002), Ravens Stadium (2002, after PSINet's bankruptcy), and M&T Bank Stadium (2003-present)? Thanks, Wikipedia! An interesting idea, but not one without controversy.
How awesome would it be to try a case in "Miller & Zois Courtroom No. 5?" Unfortunately, this is as unlikely as it is cool. Nonetheless, I hope the stakeholders can find a way to fund this badly needed project.
I like Baltimore juries, but I hate dust, mold, faulty air-conditioning, broken elevators (often shared with prisoners being transported), and contaminated drinking fountains.
