Dear Members of the UMBC Community,

I am pleased to announce that UMBC has acquired the former Catonsville District Courthouse building on Walker Avenue, located on land designated as part of the original UMBC campus in 1965. The State of Maryland will transfer the building and surrounding land to the University System of Maryland for the use and benefit of UMBC. Once the District Court vacates the building, which is expected within six months, the property will be available to the University once again.

The building will provide us opportunity to expand our capacity in high-demand academic programs, including but not limited to computing, cybersecurity, and engineering. This will enable UMBC to continue supporting Maryland’s economy by producing additional graduates who will be ready to work in these growing fields, and to expand research.

I would like to thank Governor Larry Hogan, Comptroller Peter Franchot, State Treasurer Nancy Kopp, Secretary of General Services Ellington Churchill, and Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates Adrienne A. Jones for their support throughout this process. I also want to thank Vice President for Administration and Finance Lynne Schaefer and especially Senior Associate Vice President for Administrative Services Terry Cook for their work to advance this transfer through the state’s property process.

This acquisition will help us continue to move UMBC forward and contribute to Maryland’s economy. We will keep the UMBC community updated as the plans for this building are finalized.