Baltimore City District courthouse relocating to new building
The Baltimore City District courthouse will close in October and relocate to a new building, city officials said.
The courthouse, also known as the Civil Building, located on East Fayette Street, will close on October 10 at 4:30 p.m. and reopen at 8 a.m. on October 14 at 500 North Calvert Street.
The East Fayette Street courthouse will permanently close following the relocation, according to city officials. All judges, commissioners and court employees will move to the new location.
Courthouse relocation
During the relocation process, the Commissioner's Centralized Application Station at 1 North Charles Street will stay open through 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 12. The office will reopen at the 500 North Calvert Street location at noon on October 12.
Services that were provided at the East Fayette Street courthouse will be offered at the new location once it is open.
The city has three other district court locations, including:
- Wabash District Courthouse at 5800 Wabash Avenue
- Hargrove District Courthouse at 700 East Patapsco Avenue
- Eastside District Courthouse at 1400 East North Avenue
According to the Maryland Judiciary, the budget and logistical planning for the relocation has been underway for nearly a decade.
In January 2023, the Board of Public Works approved a construction contract for the new building, and in March 2023, the Maryland Judiciary said a groundbreaking event was held.
"The newly renovated building, centrally located in the city, marks the first new Baltimore City District Court in the past 22 years," court officials said in a statement. "The new facility will include eight courtrooms, judicial chambers, clerk's office, commissioners' office, and space to host justice partners, including the Public Defender's Office and the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office."
The new building will also allow for an expanded Maryland Court Help Center and will house a pilot program for a virtual help center.
"Moving operations from the 126-year-old Civil Building to the new location at 500 N. Calvert Street will enable the District Court to meet modern standards for safety and functionality to better carry out the Judiciary's mission of providing fair efficient and effective justice for all," court officials said.
Previous Legionella concerns
The relocation comes after elevated levels of Legionella bacteria were detected in the courthouse's water system twice in the past year.
Legionella can cause legionnaires' disease or Pontiac fever by inhaling water vapor or mist that is contaminated with the bacteria.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the bacteria can spread through sink faucets, fountains, water heaters and plumbing systems.
The resulting illnesses are treatable with antibiotics, but without treatment, symptoms like cough, fever, shortness of breath and vomiting can get worse, Dr. Greg Corcoran with LifeBridge Health told WJZ when the bacteria was found in February.
Legionella was detected in several city buildings, including two other courthouses: The Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse and the Elijah E. Cummings Courthouse.
Mitigation efforts were carried out after the discovery.
The bacteria were discovered at the same courthouses in December 2024.
