By Bailey Quinonez

Staff Writer

The future of the new district courthouse in Rockville is in the hands of the Maryland House of Delegates.

City of Rockville residents say they are waiting in anticipation for the House's decision to approve the FY09 state budget, which includes the funds for the disputed courthouse. The Senate has already approved the budget.

Rockville Mayor Susan Hoffman, Councilmember John Britton and Rockville residents presented their opinions to "move the courthouse" to the House Public Safety and Administration Subcommittee on Tuesday, March 18. Along with the address to the subcommittee, a petition with approximately 250 signatures was presented by the Move the Courthouse Steering Committee.

The Move the Courthouse Steering Committee was created by a group of Rockville residents, in response to the state's plans for a new courthouse at the old Rockville Library site. The Committee consists of residents from Twinbrook, Hungerford, Woodley Gardens, New Mark Commons and the West End.

At the Monday mayor and Council meeting, Councilmember Anne Robins thanked Frank Anastassi, spokesperson for the Move the Courthouse Steering Committee, for his participation in opposition of the courthouse. "Thank you for practicing grassroots democracy ... I think the lack of due process, of transparency is appalling," she said.

District 17 Senator Jennie Forehand (D) found the lack of response earlier in the process surprising. She said, "It's one of the things that has been unsettling" of the city's lack of response in 2005. In 2005 the state gave Rockville 60 days to respond to the plans and hold hearings, but none of that took place. But Anastassi noted that the citizens of Rockville have been against the proposed courthouse location since 2001 when it was first mentioned.

One of the many debated issues has been whether or not a deal was made in 2001 between the city and the state. Then-Mayor Rose Krasnow said a deal was made in a bond bill that provided the city with funds for the Rockville Town Center in exchange for the old Rockville Library site. However, City Attorney Paul Glasgow and City Clerk Claire Funkhouser have not found documents to support Krasnow's claim.

"I have no doubt a discussion took place," said Glasgow.

"It was probably not a written document but probably the only reason we got [funds for the Town Center]," said Forehand. "It was an understanding," she added. But Anastassi said, "Even if we did make a deal six or eight years ago, don't we want to make things better now?"

Forehand noted that even though Gov. Martin O'Malley shares the same sentiment of those that oppose the courthouse and says he would reintroduce the bill in the next budget, "the committee does not look kindly on the community not wanting a project."

She added that funds for the courthouse will most likely be directed elsewhere should funds not be approved in the FY09 budget and "it could be another 10 to 15 years" before Rockville receives funds again for a new district courthouse.

"That's the folklore of Annapolis. We've heard that for a year, maybe more," said Anastassi of the possibility of losing funds. The state has already spent approximately $10 million on the purchase of the old Rockville Library site and plans for the new courthouse.

Should funds for the courthouse not be approved and the state does decide not to build the new courthouse, Montgomery County will have the opportunity to purchase the land back from the state, as stated in the deed. Anastassi sees no problem with the land and existing building being reused as, for example, an annex for the current district dourthouse.

"I'd like to see people reuse it ... save some money, save some resources," he said.

At the Monday City Council meeting Councilmember Phyllis Marcuccio said, "As to the courthouse, I think we have exhausted it. The state will make its decision and we will live with what happens."

The $71 million courthouse, if approved, will be located at the site of the old Rockville Public Library on the southwest corner of East Jefferson Street and Maryland Avenue. Construction is set to start this summer.

Photo by Bill Wyckoff