The BPW considered and approved the following requests and recommendations at its meeting on August 31, 2022:

Allegany County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $13,123 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Allegany County to purchase and install safety barriers and surfacing around the playground areas at the LaVale Lions Field (Item 1A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $67,500 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Allegany County to renovate the Fitness Center on the Allegany College of Maryland campus to allow for use by the general public. The project includes new cardio and weight training equipment and power lifting stations (Item 1A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $67,200 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Allegany County to resurface the entire Riverside BMX track at the C. Eugene Mason Sports Complex in the City of Cumberland to improve safety (Item 1A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Baltimore City

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $300,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Ahavas Chaim Center, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of a center for at-risk youth. 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 $1,500,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Gilchrist Hospice Care, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Gilchrist Center Baltimore Facility. 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 $350,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Parks and People Foundation, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of North Central Park at Perkins Somerset Oldtown, including landscaping and improvements to the park’s grounds. This authorization may not be encumbered or expended until the Baltimore City Council passes a resolution renaming the North Central Park to the Nathaniel McFadden Education Park. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 1 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $150,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Choo Sith Youth Empowerment, Inc for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Choo Smith Youth Empowerment, Incorporated property. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 6 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Baltimore County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $155,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Diggs Johnson Museum for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Diggs Johnson Museum, including signage. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 9 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Caroline County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $305,000 in funding from the Community Parks and Playground Program to design and construct native gardens, an environmentally sensitive accessible walking trail, seating alcoves, water features, fencing and educational signage at the Hillsboro Community Gardens (Item 2A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Cecil County

• A request to provide a $609,259.70 grant to Cecil Land Trust, Inc. from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 155.91-acre conservation easement in the Fair Hill Rural Legacy Area (Mason property). Acquisition of this conservation easement will conserve productive agricultural and forest land and provide permanent protection to approximately 4,500 linear feet of vegetative stream buffers to North East Creek. The easement will be co-held by the Trust and the Department of Natural Resources. Easement value: $4,837/acre (Item 14A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $247,000 in funding from the Community Parks and Playground Program to purchase and install new playground equipment and safety surfacing at the Neighborhood Community Center in Elkton (Item 3A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Frederick County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $596,519.50 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Frederick County to rehabilitate two buildings and the surrounding outside areas at Ballenger Creek Park. In addition, access roads, multiuse trails, parking areas, restroom facilities, stormwater mitigation, and landscaping will be added (Item 4A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $15,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Frederick County to purchase and install various seating along Gaver Park’s trail in Myersville (Item 4A.4 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A recommendation from the Department of General Services to grant a one year extension to the Board of Directors of the Global Wildlife Trust, Inc. from the automatic termination of $50,000 in capital grant funds for the Northwest Trek Conservation and Education Center. The Grantee did not meet the 7-year deadline before the authorization terminated and needs additional time to complete the project (Item 20 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $33,750 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Frederick County to acquire a total of .591 acres of property to extend the Gateway Trail in Thurmont:
  • $16,250: .031 acres (Wantz and Willets Property) (Item 4A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
  • $17,500: .51 acres (Collis Property) (Item 4A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Garrett County

• A request from the Maryland Department of Health to approve a $373,849 grant to Western Maryland Health Care Corp., dba Mountain Laurel Medical Center to assist with the renovation of its facility, located at 1027 Memorial Drive, Oakland. This project will expand exam rooms for medical services and behavioral health and telepsychiatry consults, and introduce imaging services on site to serve the Appalachia region area. The cost of the entire project is $668,000 (Item 21 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $95,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Garrett County to rehabilitate current and design new trails within the Fork Run Trail System (Item 5A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Harford County

• A request from St. Mary’s College of Maryland to construct the Maryland Heritage Interpretive Center in Historic St. Mary’s City, including utility and site work (Item 15 of the Secretary’s Agenda); and
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $300,000 grant to the Maryland Stadium Authority for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of projects necessary to maintain Ripken Stadium to the standards required by the Ripken Baseball League governing body and player and public safety standards. The prioritized projects shall include, but are not limited to, extension of the field netting, field replacement, and LED lighting system replacement. These funds may not be expended until the Maryland Stadium Authority, Tufton, (Ripken Baseball), and the City of Aberdeen enter into a memorandum of understanding for the scheduling of the work and expenditure of the funds on the prioritized projects. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 14 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Howard County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $9,000,000 grant to the County Executive and County Council of Howard County for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Route 29 North-South Jug Handle Connector. 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 Department of Natural Resources to commit $480,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Howard County to install a new sensory trail loop and play equipment consistent with National Playground Safety Standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act at Centennial Park. The project will also include additional parking, a fitness area with equipment, and upgrades to the existing handball courts (Item 7A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Kent County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $46,039 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding allocated to Kent County for the purchase and installation of benches, a concrete chess table, and playground equipment at Wilmer Park in Chestertown (Item 8A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Montgomery County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $34,500 grant to the Board of Trustees of Directors of the Sandy Spring Museum for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Sandy Spring Museum, including improvements to the building’s parking lot. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 16 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $700,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Warrior Canine Connection, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Warrior Canine Connection facility. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 19 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 Executive and County Council of Montgomery County and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of pedestrian streetlights along Park Overlook walking paths. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 2 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $1,046,250 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Montgomery County for a new playground area, paved pump track, parking lot, picnic shelter, plaza, and community open space for passive and active use at Carroll Knolls Local Park. Pedestrian and maintenance access, pathways, including a larger loop circuit, roadway improvements, stormwater management and landscaping will also be added (Item 9A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Prince George’s County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $150,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Alice Ferguson Foundation, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Potomac Watershed Study 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).

Queen Anne’s County

• A request by the Department of Natural Resources to commit $25,000 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Queen Anne’s County to complete the County’s 2027 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan, consistent with State planning requirements (Item 10A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $650,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Talisman Therapeutic Riding, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Talisman Therapeutic Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 3 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

St. Mary’s County

• A request to provide a $241,995.66 grant to the Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of an 86.74-acre conservation easement in the Huntersville Rural Legacy Area (Smith property). Acquisition of this easement will protect productive forestland and 6,587 linear feet of forested stream buffers along Brooks Run and tributaries, which ultimately drain to Breton Bay via McIntosh Run and the Potomac River. The easement will be held by Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the United States of America, and the Patuxent Tidewater Land Trust. Easement value: $4,503/acre (Item 15A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from St. Mary’s College of Maryland to construct the Maryland Heritage Interpretive Center in Historic St. Mary’s City, including utility and site work (Item 15 of the Secretary’s Agenda): and
• A request from the Maryland Environmental Trust to ratify the donation of a perpetual conservation easement on 144.7073 acres in St. Mary’s County (Rieckhoff property on St. Thomas More Lane, Leonardtown) (Item 16A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Washington County

• Two Easement Requests Related to the Stone River Farm, LLC. The below easement requests from the Department of Natural Resources will permanently protect water quality by requiring approximately 770 linear feet of forested and grassed stream buffers to unnamed tributaries to the Potomac River.
  • $78,296.82 of Program Open Space stateside funds to Washington County for the acquisition of a 17.82-acre Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) easement. The easement will be co-held by the County and the Department of Natural Resources (Item 12A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • $319,379.17 to Washington County from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 90.89-acre conservation easement in the Mid-Maryland Washington Rural Legacy Area. The easement will be held by Washington County. The County is paying administrative and compliance costs. Easement value: $3,913/acre (Item 13A of the Department of Natural Resources Real Property Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $400,000 grant to Camp Ritchie Museum, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Ritchie History Museum. 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 Maryland Stadium Authority for approval to award a construction services contract for Bid Package No. 1 for the Hagerstown Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility project (Item 16 of the Secretary’s Agenda).

Wicomico County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $75,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Christian Shelter Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Christian Shelter Thrift Store. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 8 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $200,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Vehicles for Change, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Eastern Shore Full Circle Auto Repair and Training Center facility. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant (Item 18 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $58,500 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Wicomico County to add new poles, supports, backboards, rims, asphalt overlay, sealing, striping, fencing and landscaping in and around the basketball court at Neighborhood Park (Item 11A.7 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $125,300 from the Community Parks and Playground Program to purchase and install new playground equipment and safety surfacing at Pittsville Town Park (Item 11A.8 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $292,500 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Wicomico County for the following projects:
  • Billy Gene Jackson Field: $90,000 to install a new well and irrigation system, and add seed, fertilizer, sod, and landscaping at the softball and recreational fields (Item 11A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Harmon Field: $58,500 to renovate the basketball court (Item 11A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Emerson Holloway Park: $85,500 to renovate two basketball courts (Item 11A.5 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $124,200 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Wicomico County to purchase and install new playground and safety surfacing at the following locations:
  • Douglas Nichols Park: $53,100 (Item 11A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
  • Gene Lowe Park: $71,100 (Item 11A.6 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).