The BPW considered and approved the following requests and recommendations at its meeting on February 16, 2022:

Anne Arundel County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $3,194,363.68 from the Program Open Space funding and $2,200,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure Funding allocated to Anne Arundel County to provide additional funds for an ongoing improvement project at Fort Smallwood Park.  This includes constructing a new comfort station and concession building; restoring and repurposing a historic concession stand; constructing a new maintenance building; converting the historic barracks building into the park’s visitors center and ranger office; weatherizing the existing stone comfort station; and providing drainage, sediment control, utility, landscaping, paving, and road improvements (Item 1A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $396,150 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Anne Arundel County to acquire 2.88 acres (Forney property) to add to Bacon Ridge Natural Area (Item 1A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $85,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Anne Arundel County Fair, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of Anne Arundel Fairgrounds, including improvements to the sites grounds and installation of an electronic sign.  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 $75,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Banneker-Douglass Museum Foundation, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Banneker-Douglass Museum.  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 from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $198,175 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Anne Arundel County to acquire 2.17 acres (Wilt Property) to add to Jug Bay Wetland Sanctuary (Item 1A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Baltimore City

• A request for approval to award a contract to the Maryland Food Bank to provide a three-day allotment of non-perishable food items to eligible clients via designated local food pantries in Baltimore;
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $419,341 from Program Open Space funding allocated to Baltimore City to construct a new field house at Morrell Park (Item 8A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $650,000 from the Program Open Space State Share/Baltimore City Direct Grant program for projects at the following parks:
  • Druid Hill Park: $400,000 to establish pathways, grading, stormwater management, fencing, landscaping and utilities at the Lake Area of the Park (Item 8A.10 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Cab Calloway Legends Square Park: $250,000 to construct a new park in the Druid Heights community, including a playground, walkways, and various site work (Item 8A.11 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $5,000,000 grant to the Board of Trustees of Johns Hopkins University for the design, construction, and equipping of the renovations to the Milton S. Eisenhower Library.  There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 2 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Maryland Stadium Authority for approval to award Bid Package 2 for the Cross County Elementary/Middle School renovation/addition project (6100 Cross County Boulevard).  This project is a part of the Baltimore City Public School’s 21st Century Building Initiative (Item 14 of the Secretary’s Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $1,967,000 from Program Open Space funding allocated to Baltimore City to renovate the indoor pool at Chick Webb Recreation Center (Item 8A.4 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $1,150,000 from the Program Open Space State Share/Baltimore City Direct Grant program for projects at the following parks:
  • Clifton Park: $550,000 to renovate the maintenance facility, including office space, staff showers, dressing areas, pole barns, and dumpster storage with ADA-compliant updates and energy efficient heating, lighting, windows, and doors (Item 8A.7 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
  • Bocek Park: $600,000 to add a gym onto the newly renovated field house and relocate two basketball courts (Item 8A.9 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Housing and Community Development for approval to provide a $2,500,000 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 Canton Overlook Partnership LLC to assist in the new construction of a 150-unit rental community, located at 1617 Broening Highway.  The project, located in an Opportunity Zone, will offer a mix of one-, two- and three-bedroom units (Item 9 of the Secretary’s Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $1,264,000 from Program Open Space funding allocated to Baltimore City for the following projects:
  • City Springs Park: $700,000 to construct a new field house (Item 8A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Riverside Park: $564,000 to renovate the field house (Item 8A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $850,000 from the Program Open Space State Share/Baltimore City Direct Grant program for projects at the following parks:
  • Farring-Baybrook Park: $150,000 to update the parking lot to provide better access for the special needs population it serves (Item 8A.5 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Patterson Park: $350,000 to redesign the athletic fields to improve access and maintenance and add new seating, fencing, team player areas, and walkways (Item 8A.6 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Federal Hill Park: $350,000 to implement phase 2 of stabilizing and repairing the east slope of Federal Hill Park to further correct drainage and erosion issues (Item 8A.8 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $500,000 grant to the Board of Trustees of the Living Classrooms Foundation, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Living Classrooms Opportunity Hub Facility.  There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 15 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Baltimore County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $300,000 grant to the Energetics Technology Center for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of communications infrastructure to service the Graces Quarters Robotic Research Collaboration Campus. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 11 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).
• A recommendation from the Office of Administrative Hearings to pay Mr. Bernard Webster $806,730.48 in supplemental compensation on an expedited payment schedule for erroneous confinement as well as $9,340.20 in attorney’s fees. In 1983 the Baltimore County Circuit Court convicted Mr. Webster of first-degree rape and daytime housebreaking.  In 2002, Mr. Webster’s convictions were vacated by the Circuit Court based upon DNA evidence, and later that year he was pardoned by Governor Glendening.   In 2003, BPW awarded Mr. Webster $900,000 to be paid out over 10 years.

Calvert County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $700,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Calvert County to construct five new tennis and four new pickleball courts, additional parking and a new restroom at Dunkirk District Park (Item 2A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $150,000 from Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Calvert County for the following projects:
  • Kellam’s Complex and Railway Trail: $70,000 to create an access point at the northern point of the railway trail entrance to make improvements at the walkway between Chesapeake Beach and the Complex.  This includes replacing overgrown vegetation with native plantings and installing permeable pavers, hardscaping, and lighting (Item 2A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • 29^th Street Overlook Park: $30,000 to construct a new passive bayfront park.  This includes landscaping, hardscaping, and lighting (Item 2A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
  • B Street Overlook Park: $50,000 to construct a new passive bayfront park.  This includes landscaping, fencing, lighting and repairing an existing concrete pad (Item 2A.4 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Caroline County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $50,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Caroline County to install a paved court surface to support basketball, futsal, street hockey and pickleball at Marydel Community Park (Item 3A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Dorchester County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to:
  • Grant $1,195,133 of Program Open Space statewide funds to The Conservation Fund (TCF) for the acquisition of a 290.74-acre conservation easement (Patriot Point, LLC property) in Dorchester County; and
  • Approve the Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) accepting a perpetual conservation easement.
    • DNR has collaborated with TCF and the MET to acquire a conservation easement on this property, which is operated as a retreat for wounded, ill, and injured service members and first responders.  The property is a mix of tidal wetlands, farmland, and forestland and includes shoreline on Slaughter Creek and Parsons Creek.  The property has frontage along Taylors Island Road, which is part of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway, and is located across from the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge and near two MET-held easements.  This easement will protect water quality, contribute to large landscape protection, and support aquatic and near-shore resources in the nearby river system and climate change resilience (Item 9A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Frederick County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $505,112 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Frederick County to replace the existing water fountains and hose bibs at Pinecliff and Ballenger Creek Parks to improve drinking water access (Item 4A.7 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $214,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Frederick County for projects at the following parks:
  • Baker Park: $48,000 to repair and resurface six tennis courts (Item 4A.5 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
  • Monarch Ridge Park: $166,000 to repair and resurface the tennis and basketball courts (Item 4A.6 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $332,595.91 from Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Frederick County for the following projects:
  •  Guyton Scenic View Park:
    • $92,000 to renovate the existing park building into a community center.  Improvements include new garage doors, windows, doors and flooring (Item 4A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
    • $10,000 to install new yard hydrants for a water management system in the community garden (Item 4A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Burkittsville Memorial Park: $217,595.91 for new playground equipment and safety surfacing consistent with National Playground Safety Standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act (Item 4A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
  • Harry Pfeifer Memorial Park: $13,000 to install a well water system for the visitor center restroom (Item 4A.4 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Howard County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $100,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Howard County Historical Society, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Ellicott City Quaker Second School Building.  There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 6 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and
• A request by the Department of Natural Resources to commit $25,000 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Howard County to complete the County’s 2022 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan, consistent with State planning requirements (Item 5A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Kent County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $100,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Kent School, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the new Performing Arts Wing. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 14 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $1,000,000 from Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Kent County for the following projects:
  • Gilchrest Trail: $31,660 to purchase and install park benches and safety fencing along steep slopes (Item 6A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Louisa D’Andelot Carpenter Park: $5,073 to purchase and install park benches and a concrete chess table(Item 6A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Bayside Pool: $16,456 to install slip proof flooring in the bathhouse (Item 6A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Wilmer Park: $13,983 to purchase and install benches, a concrete chess table, and playground equipment that meets the National Playground Safety Standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements (Item 6A.4 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Betterton Beach: $20,000 to replace the pavilion roof’s deteriorated wood and shingles (Item 6A.5 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Rock Hall Civic Center: $251,915 to resolve drainage issues at the ballfields and renovate the restrooms in order to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (Item 6A.6 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Bettertown Community Park: $95,800 to renovate the tennis courts and add pickleball lines (Item 6A.7 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Bailey Park: $46,039 to expand the existing gravel parking lots and install a concrete chess table (Item 6A.8 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Edesville Park: $9,764 to install ADA-compliant swing set playground equipment (Item 6A.9 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
  • Worton Park: $509,310 to replace the picnic pavilion roof and install playground equipment consistent with national Playground Safety Standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act and an athletic field lighting system (Item 6A.10 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Prince George’s County

• A request from the Department of Aging to approve a $800,000 grant to Prince George’s County to be used to support the construction of the 20,961 sf Hampton Park Senior Activity Center.  This is one component of the comprehensive plan to construct a new 115,000 square foot Health and Human Services Building in Capital Heights  (Item 1 of the Secretary’s Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $50,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Bowie State University Foundation, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Goodloe Alumni House.  There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 8 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $700,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Adventist Healthcare Fort Washington Medical Center, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of Fort Washington Medical Center.  There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 7 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Queen Anne’s County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $565,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the YMCA of the Chesapeake, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the new Queen Anne’s County Family YMCA and Senior Center.  There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 9 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Talbot County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $150,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Foundation of H.O.P.E., Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the HOPE Center.  There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 13 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Washington County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $236,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Washington County to update the existing facilities at Clear Spring Park, including replacing the pavilion roof and installing playground equipment and new safety surfacing consistent with National Playground Safety and Americans with Disabilities Act standards (Item 7A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from Preservation Maryland to sell property located at 417 N. Jonathan Street, Hagerstown and to forgive the Grantee repayment of $250,000 in funds it received in 2021.  Funds received under the 2021 grant agreement were expended for the renovation, repair, reconstruction and site improvements of an 1830s log cabin, which was rehabilitated into owner-occupied affordable housing.  The Grantee wants to remit the sale funds to Preservation Maryland’s Historic Property Revolving Fund, which will be used in the future to support the rehabilitation and reuse of threatened historic buildings that support community needs (Item 1 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into grant agreements for grants totaling $2,000,000 to the Hagerstown-Washington County Industrial Foundation, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of a minor league baseball stadium in Hagerstown.  There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 12 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit funding from the Local Parks and Playground Infrastructure (LPPI) and Program Open Space (POS) allocated to Washington County for the following projects:

• • Washington County Regional Park: $190,000 ($120,000 LPPI + $70,000 POS) to construct two miles of multi-use trails for walking, hiking and biking and a 50-space parking lot for increased park access (Item 7A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Devils Backbone Park: $25,000 (LPPI) to renovate the existing restroom facilities (Item 7A.4 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Camp Harding Park: $296,000 (LPPI) to renovate the bathroom, replace the pavilion roof, and install new playground equipment and safety surfacing consistent with National Playground Safety and Americans with Disabilities Act standards (Item 7A.7 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Pen Mar Park: $339,000 (LPPI) to renovate the bathroom, replace the pavilion roof, and install new playground equipment and safety surfacing consistent with National Playground Safety and Americans with Disabilities Act standards (Item 7A.5 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Chestnut Grove Park: $248,000 (LPPI) to, among other things, replace the pavilion roof and install new playground equipment, including safety surfacing consistent with National Playground Safety and Americans with Disabilities Act standards (Item 7A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
  • Marty Snook Park: $101,000 (LPPI) to install a shade structure over the existing outdoor fitness equipment, new playground equipment, and new safety surfacing consistent with National Playground Safety and Americans with Disabilities Act standards (Item 7A.8 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

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