Here’s What Counties Need to Know – Conduit Street

The Board of Public Works (BPW) — a three-member panel including Governor Wes Moore, Comptroller Brooke Lierman, and State Treasurer Dereck Davis — reviews projects, contracts, and expenditure plans for state agencies, many of which affect county governments.

Allegany County

•  A request by the Department of Natural Resources to commit $25,000 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Allegany County to complete the County’s 2027 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan, consistent with State planning requirements (Item 1A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $76,500 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Allegany County to replace the deteriorating entrance ramp at the Allegany County Fairgrounds’ grandstand for improved safety (Item 1A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $89,243 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding to purchase and install exercise pods around the walking track and resurface six parking lots at the Cresaptown Sports Complex (Item 1A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $2,400,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the UPMC Western Maryland for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of a Heart and Vascular Institute. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 17 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $125,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding to install new ballfield fencing and construct a walking track, a new pavilion and new playground equipment/safety surfacing at Piney Plains Community Park (Item 1A.4 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Anne Arundel County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $1,000,000 grant to the County Executive and County Council of Anne Arundel County and the Board of Education of Anne Arundel County for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the outdoor recreation and athletic facilities at Bates Middle School. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 7 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Maryland Department of Health to approve a $269,684.00 grant to People Encouraging People, Inc. to assist with the acquisition of a property located at 509 Kintop Road, Glen Burnie. The property will be used to provide housing for three individuals with psychiatric and/or co-occurring substance use disorder disabilities. The contract sale price of the property is $325,000 (Item 21 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to grant $180,000 of Program Open Space statewide funds for the acquisition in fee simple of 6.60 acres (Stinchcomb property) in Anne Arundel County. This property consists of mostly young hardwood forest and includes a ravine that flows into Gumbottom Bog (also known as Arden Bog), a large high-quality freshwater wetland complex. The Maryland Park Service will manage the property as an addition to Severn Run Natural Environment Area. Acquisition will protect the water quality and hydrology of this bog habitat and improve habitat for forest interior dwelling birds (Item 9A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to grant $180,000 of Program Open Space statewide funds for the acquisition in fee simple of 6.60 acres (Stinchcomb property) in Anne Arundel County. This property consists of mostly young hardwood forest and includes a ravine that flows into Gumbottom Bog (also known as Arden Bog), a large high-quality freshwater wetland complex. The Maryland Park Service will manage the property as an addition to Severn Run Natural Environment Area. Acquisition will protect the water quality and hydrology of this bog habitat and improve habitat for forest interior dwelling birds (Item 9A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Baltimore City

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $7,500,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Waterfront Management Authority for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of infrastructure improvements for the Inner Harbor Promenade. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 5 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $3,000,000 grant to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Baltimore for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of properties located on Warner Street, including street improvements, lighting installation and landscaping. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 18 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $1,125,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding to design and construct the new Nathaniel McFadden Learn and Play Park in a historically disadvantaged neighborhood. This park is part of a redevelopment project led by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City. Improvements will include a great lawn, playground, pavilion, walkway and other associated amenities (Item 7A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $125,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding for new playground equipment and associated amenities, such as safety surfacing, at Alhambra Park (Item 7A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $500,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the League for People with Disabilities, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of an expansion at the Grantee’s Cold Spring Lane facility. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 12 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $450,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Gaudenzia Foundation, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Woodland Building, including repairs to the HVAC system and site improvements to the building’s grounds. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 2 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into grant agreements for grants totaling $700,000 to the Board of Directors of the Bethel Outreach Center, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the installation of an ADA elevator atrium at the Community Empowerment and Wellness Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 13 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $7,500,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Waterfront Management Authority for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of infrastructure improvements for the Inner Harbor Promenade. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 5 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $3,000,000 grant to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Baltimore for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of properties located on Warner Street, including street improvements, lighting installation and landscaping. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 18 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Calvert County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $745,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Calvert County for additional funding to construct improvements at Dunkirk District Park, including five new tennis courts and four new pickleball courts (Item 3A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Caroline County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $33,140 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Caroline County to construct an off-street parking area on Bernard Avenue and seal, color, and line the basketball court at Ober Park (Item 4A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $1,500,000 grant to the Board of Trustees of the Benedictine School for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Benedictine School. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 1 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Carroll County

• A request from the Maryland Department of the Environment for new grant funding up to $1,151,492from the Bay Restoration Fund to the Town of Manchester for the Town’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Enhanced Nutrient Removal (ENR) Upgrade project. This project entails the planning, design, and construction of an ENR upgrade for Manchester’s WWTP. This project will ensure a reduction of 83% in nitrogen and 90% in phosphorus, thereby reducing nutrients discharged to Georges Run, and ultimately to the Chesapeake Bay. This action is for the design phase (Item 17 of the Secretary’s Agenda); and
• A request to provide a $56,904.92 grant to Carroll County from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 16.34-acre conservation easement in the Upper Patapsco Rural Legacy Area (Cugle property). Acquisition of this easement will protect productive forest lands and approximately 600 linear feet of forested stream buffers along unnamed tributaries to the East Branch Patapsco River. The easement will be held by Carroll County, which is paying for administrative and compliance costs. Easement value: $3,334/acre (Item 15A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Cecil County

• A request to provide a $763,433.50 grant to The Cecil Land Trust, Inc. from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 209.17-acre conservation easement in the Fair Hill Rural Legacy Area (Horst property). Acquisition of this easement will protect productive agricultural and forest lands and approximately 8,000 linear feet of forested and vegetative stream buffers along unnamed tributaries to North East Creek, which provides drinking water to the town of North East. The easement will be co-held by DNR. Easement value: $4956/acre (Item 13A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Frederick County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $500,000 grant to the Board of County Commissioners of Frederick County for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of a new carriage house at Rose Hill Manor Park and Museums. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 6 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $197,250 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Frederick County to acquire 60.69 acres of forested land (Tree-Land Foundation Property Acquisition) to expand the existing Bullivant Park (Item 5A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to grant $104,030 of Program Open Space stateside funds to Frederick County for the acquisition of a 17.19-acre Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) easement (Albaugh Trustee property). Acquisition of this CREP easement permanently protects water quality by requiring approximately 1,608 linear feet of forested and vegetative stream buffers as part of the easement along an unnamed tributary of Owens Creek, which is a tributary to the Monocacy River. As part of the transaction, the landowner will be donating 29.68 acres of the property into the easement for 46.87 acres of total protection. The easement will be co-held by the County and DNR. The County is paying for administrative costs (Item 10A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to grant $75,317.10 of Program Open Space stateside funds to Frederick County for the acquisition of a 12.10-acre Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) easement (Albaugh Revocable Trust property). Acquisition of this easement permanently protects water quality in the Owens Creek watershed. As part of the transaction, the landowner will be donating 21.3 acres of the property into the easement for 33.40 acres of total protection. The easement will be held by Frederick County and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Frederick County is paying for administrative costs (Item 11A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to grant $57,067 of Program Open Space stateside funds to Frederick County for the acquisition of a 7.68-acre Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) easement (Albaugh property). Acquisition of this easement permanently protects water quality by requiring approximately 2,260 linear feet of forested and vegetative stream buffers along Owens Creek as part of the easement. As part of the transaction, the landowner will be donating 2.96 acres of the property into the easement for 10.64 acres of total protection. The easement will be held by Frederick County and DNR. The County is paying administrative costs (Item 12A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Garrett County

• A request from the Maryland Department of the Environment for new grant funding up to $108,059 to the Town of Westernport for its Water Distribution Improvements Phase IV project. This project entails the replacement of the Town’s aging water distribution system, including the installation of water meters, storage tanks, booster pumps and other ancillary apparatus. This project will help to protect public health and conserve drinking water (Item 18 of the Secretary’s Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to grant $180,000 of Program Open Space statewide funds for the acquisition of a 260.25-acre conservation easement (Eckel property) in Garrett County. This mostly forested property includes extensive frontage along Black Lick Run and the Savage River. The property is adjacent to Savage River State Forest, providing a buffer that includes the Wildlands along the eastern boundary. The easement will protect Forest Interior Dwelling Species habitat and water quality in the Savage River Watershed, and provide long-term stream habitat protection for Maryland’s stronghold brook trout population (Item 8A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $200,000 grant to the Board of County Commissioners of Garrett County for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of high school athletic facilities. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 4 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Kent County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $875,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Echo Hill Outdoor School, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Echo Hill Outdoor School. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 14 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Montgomery County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $60,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Madison House Autism Foundation, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Madison Fields Therapeutic Equestrian Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 8 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Housing and Community Development for approval to provide a $2,800,000 loan under the Rental Housing Works Program which finances rental housing that will be occupied by individuals with incomes at or below 60% of the area median income. The loan will be made to Sligo 60, LLC to assist in the new construction of a 56-unit one- and two- bedroom general occupancy mid-rise apartment community, located at 715 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring (Item 11 of the Secretary’s Agenda); and

• A request from the Department of Housing and Community Development for approval to provide a $3,500,000 loan under the Rental Housing Works Program which finances rental housing that will be occupied by individuals with incomes at or below 60% of the area median income. The loan will be made to Park Montgomery RF Limited Partnership to assist in the new construction of 149 one- two- and three- family bedroom units, located at 8860 Piney Branch Road, Silver Spring (Item 12 of the Secretary’s Agenda).

Prince George’s County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $1,000,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Bishop McNamara High School, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the La Reine Science and Innovation Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 10 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $150,000 grant to the City of Greenbelt for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of a new inclusive playground at Buddy Attick Park. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 3 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $400,000 grant to the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Brentwood for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Brentwood Town Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 11 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Washington County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $155,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Washington County for additional funding to renovate the existing clubhouse at Black Rock Golf Course (Item 6A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $319,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding for new playground equipment and safety surfacing at Veterans’ Park in Smithsburg (Item 6A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Worcester County

• A request to enter into grant agreements for grants totaling $600,000 to the Mayor and City Council of the Town of Ocean City and Ocean City Museum Society, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of ADA improvements at the Ocean City Lifesaving Museum, including the installation of an elevator system. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 15 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).