The Maryland Smart Growth Investment Fund Workgroup met on Thursday, October 24th for its fourth meeting since the body originally convened in June. The primary purpose of the meeting was to begin to formulate recommendations and outline the contents of the final report due to the Governor and the Maryland General Assembly on December 31st. The participants discussed various possible models for the organization and structure of a potential investment fund that would encourage and support smart growth projects in targeted areas such as Transit Oriented Development and Sustainable Community Areas. Throughout the summer and early fall, the Workgroup conducted a comparative study of existing similar funds located in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, San Francisco Bay Area, Michigan as well as international development fund models such as the USAID Enterprise Fund and the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development. This research was facilitated by a consulting team from the University of Maryland’s National Center for Smart Growth Research and Education and the George Washington University’s Center for Real Estate and Urban Analysis.
In accordance with the Maryland Open Meetings Act, the Workgroup’s meeting dates are posted on DHCD’s website and the public is welcome to attend. For further information, please contact Peter M. Dolkart at 410-514-7015 or dolkart@mdhousing.org.
Prior coverage of the Workgroup can be found on Conduit Street.