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

Allegany County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $50,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Allegany County to construct composting restroom facilities, hand washing stations, and associated park amenities at Nevison Park (Item 1A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $19,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Allegany County to construct a gravel walking path, replace the existing ballfield scoreboard and provide associated site amenities at Ellerslie Community Park (Item 1A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $71,150 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Allegany County to construct a new scoreboard and bleachers, storage shack and dugout repairs, fencing, and new infield soil mixture at Piney Plains Community Park’s ballfield (Item 1A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Anne Arundel County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $5,298,250 ($1,630,327 in Program Open Space (POS) funding allocated to Anne Arundel County and $3,667,923 in POS Statewide Funding) to acquire 5.16 acres for a new waterfront park in the City of Annapolis (the Elktonia/Carr’s Beach Park). The unimproved parcel is mostly wooded and contains more than 300 feet of sandy beach area with direct waterfront access on the Chesapeake Bay. This addition will provide opportunities for walking paths and public water access where public water access is currently limited. This acquisition will also protect an unimproved parcel from development, as well as preserve a historical site where African Americans gathered in the 1930s through the 1960s for concerts by world-renowned artists, cultural events, and family outings. This acquisition will be a partnership among the State, County, and the City. The remaining $1,200,000 is expected to come through the FY 2023 Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding (Item 2A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $250,000 grant to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Annapolis for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the City’s underground utilities. 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 a grant agreement for a $1,000 grant to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Annapolis for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of playground and parks in Annapolis. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 3 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $390,800 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Anne Arundel County to acquire 29.173 acres of forested land to add to the Patuxent River Greenway – Bayard Area (Item 2A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $40,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Cumming-Behlke Post No. 226 of the American Legion, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the American Legion Post 226 building. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 1 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, the Board of Public Works will be considering a request to enter into a grant agreement for a $100,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Lakeshore Volunteer Fire Department for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Lakeshore Volunteer Fire Department facilities. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 15 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Emergency Management to authorize a $735,021 loan from the Volunteer Company Assistance Fund to the Arundel Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. to replace a Heavy Rescue vehicle. (Item 16 of the Secretary’s Agenda).

Baltimore City

• A request from the Maryland Department of Health to approve a $235,658 grant to People Encouraging People, Inc. to assist with the acquisition of a house located at 924 Marlau Drive. 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 $200,000 (Item 19 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 $894,265 loan under the Neighborhood BusinessWorks program which is a Smart Growth tool for revitalization through business creation or expansion in designated revitalization areas. This particular loan will be made to B&B Baltimore, LLC to assist with a redevelopment project, located at 301-305 North Howard Street, which will contain fifteen loft style apartments and two ground floor commercial retail spaces. The property is in the Bromo Tower Arts and Entertainment District, and the Market Center Historic District in Baltimore City (Item 6 of the Secretary’s Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $110,000 grant to the Board of Directors of The Hampden Family Center, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Hampden Family Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 9 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Maryland Environmental Trust to ratify the donation of a perpetual conservation easement on 46.845 acres in Baltimore City (Maryland Port Administration property on Frankfurt Avenue) (Item 13A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $250,000 grant to the Board of Trustees of the Creative Alliance, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Creative Alliance’s Creativity Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 10 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 Board of Directors of the Upton Planning Committee, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Parren Mitchell House, including the repair and replacement of the roof and HVAC system. 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 grant agreements for grants totaling $550,000 to the Board of Directors of the Liberty Community Development Corporation, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Liberty Community Development Youth Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 5 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Charles County 

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to grant a total of $1,633,000 of Program Open Space statewide funds for the acquisition in fee simple of two adjacent properties totaling 282.52 acres ($1,348,000 for 167.94 acres – Holly Hall Properties, LLC and, ($275,000 for 114.58 acres – Lorenzi property in Charles County). These mostly forested properties are adjacent to Riverside Wildlife Management Area and will be managed by the Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Service. Acquisition will connect and preserve a large area of contiguous forest, protect forested wetlands in the Potomac River Watershed, provide restoration opportunities to develop high quality habitat for forest interior dwelling birds and other species, protect water quality, and enhance wildlife-based recreational opportunities (Item 8A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Frederick County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $2,226.25 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Frederick County to complete the exercise trail at Eyler Road Park (Item 4A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Housing and Community Development for approval to provide a $2,229,000 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 South Street Senior, LLC to assist in the new construction of a 96-unit, age-restricted, mid-rise apartment community, located at 120 and 122 West South Street, Frederick. The project will offer one and two-bedroom units (Item 7 of the Secretary’s Agenda); and
• A request to provide a $1,733.962 grant to Frederick County from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 299.24-acre conservation easement in the Carrollton Manor Rural Legacy Area (Riverside Valley, LLC property). Acquisition of this easement will protect productive agricultural and forestlands, including 6,600 linear feet of forested buffers along the Monocacy River. The easement will be held by the County, which is paying administrative, incidental, and compliance costs. Easement value: $5,794.55/acre (Item 10A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Harford County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $250,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Harford County to increase ADA accessibility, improve grading for stormwater management, install water fountains, construct a gazebo and install fencing at the Ma and Pa Dog Park at Heavenly Waters Park (Item 5A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request to provide a $750,134 grant to Harford County from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 107.16-acreconservation easement in the Deer Creek Rural Legacy Area (Carter’s Addition, LLC property). Acquisition of this easement will protect productive agricultural and forest lands, as well as provide approximately 5,100 linear feet of forested stream buffers to unnamed tributaries to Big Branch, a tributary to the Deer Creek state-designated scenic river. The easement will be held by Harford County. Which is paying administrative, incidental, and compliance costs. Easement value: $7,000/acre (Item 11A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Kent County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $125,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Kent Cultural Alliance for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Kent Cultural Arts Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 17 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Montgomery County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $20,000 grant to the Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Laytonsville for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of Dolores R. Miller Park, including landscaping and other improvements to the park’s grounds. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 7 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into grant agreements for grants totaling $400,000 to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Willett Branch Greenway, including improvements to the site’s grounds and landscape installation. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 6 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A grant agreement for a $250,000 grant to the Board of Trustees of the Islamic Center of Maryland for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Islamic Community Center. 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 $250,000 grant to the Board of Trustees of the Germantown Cultural Arts Center, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the BlackRock Center for the Arts. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 11 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and
• A request from the Maryland Department of Health to approve a $135,959 grant to Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children, Inc. to assist with the acquisition of a house located at 20007 Rain Garden Aly, Montgomery Village, MD. The property will be used to provide housing for three individuals with developmental disabilities. The contract sale price of the property is $180,478 (Item 18 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Prince George’s County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $1,013,102 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Prince George’s County to acquire 37.87 acres (Chaumet Trust Property) to add to Henson Creek Stream Valley Park (Item 6A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $1,013,102 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Prince George’s County to acquire 37.87 acres (Chaumet Trust Property) to add to Henson Creek Stream Valley Park (Item 6A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request to enter into grant agreements for grants totaling $1,200,000 to the Mayor and City Commissioners of the City of Districts Heights for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the City’s Senior Day Facility. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 4 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $70,000 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Prince George’s County to acquire .3116 acres of property for the new Roanoke Place Park (Item 6A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $94,712 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Prince George’s County to construct a walking trail along the Muskogee Street right-of-way. The project also includes paving, landscaping, and stormwater infrastructure (Item 6A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Somerset County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $180,000 from Program Open Space funding allocated to Somerset County for the following projects:
  • Marion Recreation Area: $76,500 to provide additional funding to resurface and restripe the basketball and tennis courts, and replace fencing, basketball goals, and tennis court equipment (Item 7A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Raccoon Point Park: $45000 to purchase and install a fire ring, seating, landscaping, and playground equipment consistent with National Playground Safety Standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act (Item 7A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
  • Mt. Vernon Park: $58,500 to construct a new basketball court, purchase and install safety surface for the existing playground structures that is consistent with National Playground Standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and make structural improvements to the pavilion (Item 7A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

St. Mary’s County

• A request to provide a $66,800.09 grant to Southern Maryland Resource Conservation and Development Board (SMRCDB) from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 20.18-acreconservation easement in the Mattapany Rural Legacy Area (Dale property) Acquisition of this easement will protect valuable agricultural and forest lands. The easement will be held by the Department of Natural Resources and SMRCDB. Easement value: $2,250/acre (Item 12A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Washington County

• A request from the Department of Housing and Community Development for approval to provide a $2,500,000loan 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 Greenside Acquisition, LLC to assist in the rehabilitation of 72 family units, located at 14036 Village Mill Drive, Maugansville. There will be a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units. There will be 31 units with rental assistance from the United States Department of Agriculture. The project will consist of substantial renovation including unit interiors, common spaces, and upgrades to the exterior and project site (Item 8 of the Secretary’s Agenda); and
• A request to certify matching funds and enter into a grant agreement for a $509,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Meritus Medical Center, Inc. for the design, construction, renovation, and equipping of the John Marsh Cancer Center. The Grantee has submitted documentation of sufficient funds to meet the matching fund requirement for this project (Item 13 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Note: This is a list of county-specific items, not a comprehensive list of BPW actions.

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