D.C. Courts Unveil Moultrie Courthouse C Street Addition
September 26, 2024
Superior Court Chief Judge Designate Milton Lee speaks at ribbon-cutting ceremony.
On September 25, the District of Columbia Courts officially opened the H. Carl Moultrie Courthouse C Street Addition, which houses six courtrooms, 18 judges’ chambers, a new chief judge suite, holding spaces, and a childcare center. The expansion has enabled the D.C. Courts to successfully consolidate D.C. Superior Court’s Family Court and provide additional space for staff previously stationed at the courts’ Gallery Place offices.
“Neither of our courts could do the important work of administering justice without our court systems, which include our HR, our IT, our Capital Projects, our budget and finance, our administrative services, and all of the wonderful managers and staff and senior leadership who are assembled here today,” said D.C. Court of Appeals Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby.
She went on to describe the completion of the courthouse addition as the product of a long process that involved efforts by many individuals throughout the D.C. Courts and beyond, thanking former U.S. District Court chief judge Beryl Howell, D.C. Bar President Shaun Snyder, U.S. Attorney Michael Graves, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, and Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia Director Heather Pinckney, among others.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony also featured remarks by D.C. Superior Court Chief Judge Designate Milton Lee, who drew laughter from those assembled when he said, “While I did not have much to do with the project’s completion, I am prepared to take as much credit as you are willing to give me.” Lee will begin his term as chief judge on October 1.
Referencing the D.C. Courts’ motto — open to all, trusted by all, justice for all — inscribed on a two-story display by the atrium stairwell, Lee said the new space “allows us to better live this motto, and to commit ourselves to service to the citizens of the District of Columbia.”
Also in attendance was D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who received special recognition for her continuing support and advocacy on behalf of the D.C. court system, including funding of court services and timely confirmation of judges.
“I know it is a deep concern for all of you who are here today,” she said. “In addition to urging the Senate to act on nominees for the D.C. Courts, I have introduced the D.C. Judicial Vacancy Reduction Act, which would allow D.C. judges to be appointed after a congressional review period, rather than requiring a confirmation.” A companion bill in the Senate has been introduced by Delaware Senator Tom Carper, Norton said.
Featuring a partial green roof, solar panels, and a rainwater harvesting system — meeting the highest possible standards in water efficiency, materials, and resources — the courthouse addition received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) platinum designation. Herbert Rouson Jr., executive officer for the D.C. Courts, said the project was also honored last week with an Award of Merit (Government/Public Building) by the Engineering News-Record, a trade publication covering the construction industry.
