Formal Dedication Held for $25.5 Million Renovation of Historic Grey Courthouse Office Building in Downtown Rockville

A formal dedication was held on Sept. 8 to celebrate the $25.5 million renovation of Montgomery County’s Grey Courthouse Office Building located at 27 Courthouse Square in Rockville. Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich was joined in the ceremonies by Montgomery County Council Vice President Gabe Albornoz, Department of General Services Director David Dise and other County officials.

The project renovated the 98,62-square-foot, four-story building. The Grey Courthouse Office Building consists of the original 1931 courthouse, which is connected to the historic Red Brick Courthouse, and the 1961 wing addition that fronts North Washington Street. The renovation preserves the historic exterior of the building and the ceremonial courtroom located on the third floor. The Grey Courthouse and the Red Brick Courthouse are designated local, State and National historical landmarks. They were designated historic in 1979 as part of the City of Rockville Local Historic District.

The renovated Grey Courthouse will be home to seven County departments. Project design began in summer 2017 and construction was substantially completed in summer 2021.

“This project is a great example of centralizing County services in Rockville and maximizing County space, ultimately saving millions in taxpayer dollars,” said County Executive Elrich. “Our team has done a great job renovating this facility, improving government services and accessibility. This was done while maintaining important historical aspects of the building, a significant landmark in the County with Thurgood Marshall once arguing here for equal pay for black teachers ”

The Department of Finance’s Treasury Division and the Office of Procurement will be serving County residents and businesses from this location. The office building will also be the primary location for the Office of the County Executive’s Innovation Team, the Technology and Enterprise Business Solutions (TEBS) Enterprise Resource Planning, the Office of Human Resources (OHR) Training Organizational Development Team, the OHR Occupational Medical Services, the Fire and Rescue Occupational Medical Services team and the Health and Human Services Mental Health/Substance Abuse Screening and Referral program (also known as ACCESS to Behavioral Health).

"We are thrilled with the renovations that have preserved classic elements while transforming this historic Courthouse into a contemporary space fit to serve Montgomery County's taxpayers," Council President Tom Hucker said. "This new facility will make a range of quality behavioral health services, financial services, occupational medical services and more accessible to County residents, businesses and employees all in one central location."

The project allowed the consolidation of offices within the Rockville Core from previously leased spaces into a County-owned facility. One of the leased facilities, 255 Rockville Pike, was one of the most expensive leased properties in the County inventory. The Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of Permitting Services, which were also located within 255 Rockville Pike, moved to the new Wheaton Redevelopment Project building in 2020.

“Today’s ribbon cutting of the newly renovated historic courthouse building is both exciting and momentous,” said Council Vice President Albornoz. “By refurbishing this notable space, we will preserve our local history and continue the tradition of providing comprehensive services to our County residents.”

Department of General Services Director Dise said the project will be an efficient use of County property.

“This project represents an intelligent reuse of public buildings and demonstrates the County’s commitment to maximize the use of publicly owned assets,” said Director Dise. “This reuse effort pays for itself in a short term due to eliminating large leases, which will also save money well into the future. I am proud of how this building preserves historic elements and incorporates modern office efficiencies and technologies.”

Under the management of the County’s Department of General Services, DCMM Architects provided architectural and engineering services. WM Schlosser Company Inc. was the general contractor for the project. The design and construction cost for the project was financed with appropriation-backed debt funded through lease savings.

Additional information about the facility is available on the Department of General Services website.

County Executive Elrich’s Statement on Travis Gayles Stepping Down as County Health Officer

Travis Gayles, the Montgomery County
health officer

Travis Gayles, the Montgomery County health officer for the past four years, sent his resignation to County Executive Marc Elrich and the County Council on Aug. 18. He provided advice and guidance to the County throughout the COVID-19 health crisis. County Executive Elrich made the following statement regarding Dr. Gayles leaving his position:

“Earlier today, Dr. Travis Gayles informed me that he will be leaving his position as our County’s Public Health Officer on Sept. 12. I want to thank Dr. Gayles for his guidance, expertise, and professionalism over the last four years, and particularly the last 18 months. His service to the residents of Montgomery County has been exemplary, and we are a healthier and safer County thanks to his work. Throughout this pandemic, Dr. Gayles has been a voice of reassurance and reason that our residents have counted on during the worst public health event in modern American history. I have relied on him because I trusted his decisions would be guided by science, not politics. His calm demeanor and sound leadership have been invaluable and helped Montgomery County become one of the most vaccinated jurisdictions in the nation. Our community has benefitted from his advice and knowledge, and he will truly be missed. I want to thank Dr. Gayles for his unwavering commitment to our County and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

“We are fortunate to have a strong team in the Department of Health and Human Services, the Division of Public Health Services, the Board of Health, and across my administration to continue our COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. Dr. Raymond Crowel will immediately begin working with the Maryland Department of Health on filling this important position.”

Four New Regional Services Center Directors Named

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has appointed four new Regional Services Center directors, replacing three directors who retired and one who was promoted to a new position. The new directors are Luisa Cardona de Vence (Mid-County), Peter Fosselman (Bethesda-Chevy Chase), Jacob Newman (Silver Spring) and Gregory Wims (UpCounty).

They will replace retiring directors Catherine Matthews (UpCounty), Luisa Montero (Mid-County) and Reemberto Rodriguez (Silver Spring) and Ken Hartman (Bethesda-Chevy Chase), who was promoted to a new position in the Montgomery County Government.

The new regional directors were confirmed by the County Council on July 27. Overall, there are five regional service areas in the County, including the East County.

"Our Regional Service Centers are critical outreach and operational hubs for a County as large and diverse as Montgomery County,” said County Executive Elrich. “The engagement and assistances these offices provide our residents are invaluable assets to our government operations. I want to thank our four departing directors; as everyone who has worked with them knows, they have been dedicated to the community and tireless in their efforts. Their many successes will remain even as they leave their positions. Between the four of them, they have over 65 years of service to Montgomery County, including an extraordinary 45 plus years from Catherine Matthews. Each of these individuals embodied our County's values of good governance, equity and inclusion."

County Executive Elrich said the new directors would continue the outstanding work performed by their predecessors.

“I am confident that our new directors will pick up where their respective predecessors left off,” he said. “They bring a variety of different backgrounds, experiences and insight to Montgomery County, and I am looking forward to working closely with them. I also want to acknowledge the ongoing dedication and hard work of Jewru Bandeh, who continues to serve as the RSC director for East County."

Background on the new directors:

Luisa F. Cardona de Vence brings more than 10 years of experience engaging diverse communities in local, State and Federal government. She is a justice-driven attorney who advocates to eliminated unfair laws and bring about systematic change. For the past six years, she served as the deputy director for the City of Atlanta's Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs—Welcoming Atlanta. During her tenure she helped the city end an immigrant detention contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, implemented a city-wide Language Access Plan to 8,000 employees and led diverse community outreach campaigns for the 2020 Census and City of Atlanta COVID-19 vaccination efforts. She previously served the immigrant community as an attorney in Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Maryland.

Peter Fosselman brings more than 30 years of experience in the business, private, and public sectors. He most recently served as the master plan ombudsman for Montgomery County, overseeing the implementation of the White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan and the White Flint Sector Plan. From 2006-16, he was the mayor of Kensington. He oversaw changes in Kensington to include a new sector plan, rejuvenated streetscapes, professional marketing, community events and the County’s first bio-retention storm drain parking facility. Mr. Fosselman was elected president of the Maryland Mayors’ Association composed of 152 Maryland mayors. Prior to joining the County administration, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of State by Governor Martin O’Malley and continued under Governor Larry Hogan. In his post, he was responsible for the Charity and Legal divisions.

Jacob Newman has more than 15 years of experience in program development, project and grant management, fiscal oversight and business and community engagement. He previously served as the Montgomery County managing director for the Latin American Youth Center/Maryland Multicultural Youth Centers (LAYC/MMYC). Over the past 13 years at LAYC/MMYC, he has managed a broad portfolio of programs focused on education, workforce development and wrap around supports for more than 500 youth annually. In 2013, he led the restructuring of the Montgomery County Conservation Corps and subsequently implemented River Corps, the locally and nationally recognized innovative green infrastructure job training programs. Mr. Newman serves on the board of directors for Nonprofit Montgomery and Safe Silver Spring.

Gregory Wims is a sixth-generation Montgomery County native who has dedicated his life to serving others. He has more than 45,000 community volunteer service hours and has served on more than 30 nonprofit boards and commissions. He is the founder of the Victims’ Rights Foundation (VRF), which works closely with law enforcement, local governments and the business community to help victims of violent crimes. He has raised more than one million dollars for the VRF in the last 25 years. Mr. Wims started a small business in the 1980s after leaving the United States Small Business Administration, where he worked in the Minority Small Business Office. He most recently was the vice president of Government Affairs for Bold Concepts, Inc. in Gaithersburg.

For more information regarding the County's Regional Service Centers, including a map, click here.

Montgomery County Delegation Announces 2018 Session Accomplishments for the County

The 32-member Montgomery County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly has announced its 2018 legislative accomplishments for the County. Read more.

Montgomery County’s Priorities for the 2018 Maryland General Assembly Session

County Executive Ike Leggett released Montgomery County’s priorities for the session of the Maryland General Assembly due to convene in Annapolis on January 10, 2018.

Highlights of the County’s priorities include increased state funding for school construction, education, transportation, affordable housing, environment, economic development, victims’ rights, public safety, core government functions and capital projects. 

Read more about Montgomery County priorities.

Montgomery County Delegation Announces 2017 Session Accomplishments for the County

The 32-member Montgomery County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly has announced its 2017 legislative accomplishments for the County. Read more.

Montgomery County Employees Federal Credit Union Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Scheduled for Oct. 25

Montgomery County Executuve Ike Leggett will be joined by Rockville Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Michelle Day, MC EFCU President & CEO Jim Norris, and MC EFCU Board Chair Melvin Tull to celebrate the grand reopening and ribbon cutting ceremony of the Montgomery County Employees Federal Credit Union (MC EFCU).

The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 10 a.m. The event will include door prizes and giveaways throughout the day, for those coming into the branch, located at 20 Courthouse Square, Suite 101, Rockville.

Leggett Spells Out Montgomery County Priorities for the Upcoming Session of the Maryland General Assembly

County Executive Ike Leggett released Montgomery County’s priorities for the session of the Maryland General Assembly due to convene in Annapolis on January 13, 2016.

Highlights of County priorities include increased State funding for school construction, transit, and roads, and support for ongoing County economic development and job initiatives. Both the County Executive and the County Council are opposed to any legislation that would privatize local liquor control – which would undermine public health, stretch thin County law enforcement, and cost County taxpayers more than $30 million a year.

Read more about Montgomery County priorities here.

County Joins 13 Local Governments in Welcoming Cities and Counties Initiative

Montgomery County has joined 13 local governments across the nation to participate in the Welcoming Cities and Counties initiative with Welcoming America.

Under the initiative, Welcoming America and the municipal partners bring U.S. cities and counties together to support locally driven efforts to create more welcoming, immigrant-friendly environments.

The partners will share good ideas, develop new tools and receive recognition for their efforts to create more welcoming communities that improve the quality of life and economic potential for immigrants and non-immigrants alike.

For more information about the Welcoming Cities and Counties initiative, contact Bruce Adams at bruce.adams@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Read news release for more information.