County officials gathered on Tuesday for a groundbreaking ceremony for the Montgomery County Judicial Annex.
The annex, at East Jefferson Street and Maryland Avenue—adjacent the existing Circuit Court building, is part of $140 million in expansion and improvements to the Montgomery County Judicial Center. The six-story annex is expected to be completed by fall 2013. It will provide 10 new courtrooms, clerk’s offices and expanded central holding.
The groundbreaking ceremony included speeches by County Executive Isiah Leggett (D); John W. Debelius III, administrative judge for the Montgomery County Circuit Court and Sixth Judicial Circuit; and Montgomery County Councilman Philip M. Andrews (D-Dist. 3) of Gaithersburg.
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The annex is designed to meet Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards by using energy-efficient and sustainable design elements.
The design includes roof-mounted solar panels and a green roof that will be planted with vegetation to absorb rainwater, reduce heating costs through natural insulation and improve air quality.
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"The fact that this building is environmentally sound really does make a statement of environmental justice appropriate for this courthouse," Debelius said.
