Maryland Supreme Court Construction Progresses with Board of Public Works Contract Approval

Today, Governor Wes Moore and the Board of Public Works advanced the next phase of construction for Maryland’s new Supreme Court building, approving a construction contract awarded by the Department of General Services (DGS) to Bethesda-based Coakley & Williams Construction, LLC.

With BPW approval secured, DGS and the contractor will begin work in the coming weeks on the only State Supreme Court building under construction nationwide. Construction is expected to take approximately 36 months, with an estimated total cost of $147 million.

The planned six-story, 217,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility will be located at the corner of Rowe Boulevard and Farragut Road in Annapolis and will house Maryland’s Supreme Court and the Appellate Court.

Reaffirming the Moore-Miller administration’s commitment to uplifting minority-owned businesses (MBE) and veteran-owned businesses (VSBE), DGS has secured a 40.27 percent MBE participation and 10.07 percent VSBE participation – both eclipsing the original goals laid out – with Coakley and Williams Construction for a total of roughly $74 million in subcontracting value. 

Maryland’s new Supreme Court is designed as an all-electric facility that will not rely on fossil fuels, and is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification under the High-Performance Green Building Program. The building will also incorporate the latest security and safety features to ensure judges, judicial employees, staff, and visitors remain safe.

The building will feature office space for judicial committees, a law library, a Maryland Legal History Museum, three courtrooms of the Appellate Court of Maryland, a historic Supreme Court courtroom, and chambers for all jurists and their staff. It will also incorporate historic architectural features, including columns and courtroom elements preserved from the 1903 Supreme Court building.

“Maryland’s judges, clerks, and staff deserve a modern and efficient space to continue serving our state with fairness, integrity, and independence,” said Gov. Moore. “This new judicial facility is a generational investment in the devoted public servants who uphold the rule of law.”

“This is a once-in-a-generation investment in the future of Maryland’s storied judicial system,” said DGS Secretary Atif Chaudhry. “This project reflects our commitment to delivering a modern, sustainable facility built to serve Marylanders for decades to come. I am incredibly proud of the dedicated public servants at DGS who have worked tirelessly in bringing this vision one step closer to reality—while also advancing our goals for sustainability and meaningful participation by minority- and veteran-owned businesses.”

“We appreciate today’s action of the Board of Public Works in approving the contract for the construction of a new home for Maryland’s appellate courts that will reflect our state’s steadfast commitment to the rule of law and to equal justice under law,” said Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader. “We also appreciate the support of the General Assembly and of the Department of General Services throughout the design and procurement process.  We look forward to breaking ground as we continue to pursue our mission of providing fair, efficient, and effective justice for all.”

“Today we continue to build upon Maryland’s judicial system by laying the foundation for a Supreme Courthouse equipped for modern day technology,” said Chief Judge Gregory Wells. “In order to provide equal justice for all, the judiciary of today must be prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.”