The BPW considered and approved the following requests and recommendations at its meeting on October 25, 2023:

Anne Arundel County

• A request from the Maryland Department of Health to approve a $149,250 grant to Key Point Health Services, Inc. to assist with the acquisition of a property located at 6438 Jefferson Place, Glen Burnie. The property will be used to provide housing for three individuals with psychiatric disabilities. The contract sale price of the property is $195,000 (Item 20 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to provide a $99,415 grant from the agency’s Resiliency through Restoration Initiative to Empowering Believers Church of the Apostolic Faith to design stormwater green infrastructure and remove impervious surfaces to reduce flood impacts on the grantee’s property. This program was developed to address escalating risks to Maryland communities and public resources from extreme weather and climate-related events (Item 15A of the Secretary’s Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $336,000 grant to the Board of Trustees of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Pathways’ inpatient and outpatient clinical space. The Grantee has submitted documentation of sufficient funds to meet the matching fund requirement for this project. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2021 Capital Budget (Item 2 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to provide a $535,390 grant from the agency’s Resiliency through Restoration Initiative to Green Trust Alliance to construct an 850 linear foot living shoreline with breakwater and marsh features along Stoney Creek near the Patapsco River to address erosion and sea level rise. This program was developed to address escalating risks to Maryland communities and public resources from extreme weather and climate-related events (Item 15B of the Secretary’s Agenda);
• A request by the Department of Natural Resources to commit $25,000 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Anne Arundel County to complete the County’s 2027 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan, consistent with State planning requirements (Item 1A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $2,996,246.65 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Anne Arundel County to construct a new clubhouse to support the expanded use of the recently renovated Eisenhower Golf Course. The clubhouse will include restrooms, a pro-shop, staff offices, food service, and event space (Item 1A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request to encumber funds for a $720,000 grant to Anne Arundel Community College for a renovation project at the Florestano building. The project will renovate the first three floors of this building in order to become a one-stop student services center at the Arnold Campus. The renovated facility will house the Departments of Enrollments Services, Student Success and Student Development, as well as conference and lounge space (Item 22 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $1,752,000.00 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Anne Arundel County to design and construct a dog park and amphitheater at Odenton Community Park (Item 1A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Baltimore City

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $2,000,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Associated Catholic Charities, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of a new Intergenerational Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2022 Capital Budget (Item 3 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $6,282,000 grant to the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Zoological Society, Inc. to assist in funding the design, construction, and equipping of infrastructure improvements for the exhibits and operations of the Maryland Zoo. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2023 Capital Budget (Item 4 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 $2,950,000 loan under the Rental Housing Works Program and a $380,000 loan under the Partnership Rental Program, which both finance rental housing that will be occupied by low-income individuals. The loans will be made to ECD Irvington Mews II, LLC, to assist in the new construction of a 59-unit mid-rise elevator building to serve the elderly in Baltimore City. The Project will offer one- and two-bedroom units and will serve households with incomes on average between 30% and 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with 12 units reserved for homeless veterans at 30% AMI (Item 10 of the Secretary’s Agenda); and
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $100,000 grant to the Board of Directors Liberty Grace Church of God, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Liberty Grace Teaching Kitchen. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2023 Capital Budget (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 $500,000 grant to Impact Baltimore, EDC, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Impact Baltimore Family Enrichment Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2022 Capital Budget (Item 9 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $6,836,000 grant to the Board of Trustees of Stevenson University for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of a new black box theater. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2022 Capital Budget (Item 11 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Calvert County

• A request by the Department of Natural Resources to commit $25,000 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Calvert County to complete the County’s 2027 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan, consistent with State planning requirements (Item 2A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Caroline County

• A request to provide a $950,727.91 grant to the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy, Inc. from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 239.43-acre conservation easement in the Agricultural Security Corridor – Tuckahoe Rural Legacy Area (Saathoff, et al. property). Acquisition of this easement will protect agricultural fields, woodlands, and habitat for Forest Interior Dwelling Species (FIDS). The easement provides for over 3,475 linear feet of buffers directly on the Choptank River. Preserving this land from development provides additional resiliency to the effects of climate change on the Eastern Shore. The easement will be held by DNR and the Grantee. Easement value: $3,679.71/acre (Item 10A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request from the Maryland Environmental Trust to ratify the donation of a perpetual conservation easement on 60.829 acres in Denton (Short property on Harpers Branch Drive)(Item 13A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Carroll County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $200,000 grant to the Mayor and Council of the City of Westminster for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the historic clock tower. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2022 Capital Budget (Item 18 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Cecil County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $141,716 in funding from the Community Parks and Playground Program for a new sensory playground and safety surfacing at North East Community Park (Item 3A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Charles County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $500,000 grant to Enterprise Community Development, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Magnolia Gardens housing project. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2023 Capital Budget (Item 13 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Dorchester County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) to commit $82,580.00 in funding from the Community Parks and Playground Program to construct a new asphalt trail in downtown Hurlock along Railroad Avenue from Delaware Avenue to Jackson Street (Item 4A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Emergency Management to authorize a $356,242.00 loan from the Volunteer Company Assistance Fund to the Taylors Island Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. to assist with replacing the rescue engine/pumper (Item 8 of the Secretary’s Agenda).

Frederick County

• 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 Overlook East Associates, LLC to assist in the new construction of an 85-unit general occupancy rental community, located at 423 East Patrick Street, Frederick. There will be a mix of affordable one-two- and three-bedroom floorplans available to low-income households (Item 11 of the Secretary’s Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $29,500 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Frederick County to acquire 3.36 acres of forested land adjacent to Doubs Meadow Park to expand existing recreational space and hiker/biker trails (Item 5A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to grant $37,000 of Program Open Space statewide funds for the acquisition in fee simple of 3.69+/- acres (Remsburg property) in Frederick County. This entirely forested property is located just east of the Appalachian Trail (AT) and adjoins South Mountain State Park on two sides. Acquisition will expand public recreational opportunities, protect Forest Interior Dwelling Species habitat and an important forested wildlife corridor, as well as provide a buffer and enhanced access to AT lands, cabins, and shelters. It will be managed by the Maryland Park Service as an addition to the Park (Item 9A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Howard County

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $112,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Howard County to renovate the existing restrooms at the Roger Carter Community Center. The project includes a new family restroom with an adult changing table, lift, and accessible roll-in shower (Item 6A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Montgomery County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $250,000 grant to the City of Gaithersburg for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of Kelly Park. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2023 Capital Budget (Item 14 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into grant agreements for grants totaling $350,000 to the Mayor and City Council of the City of Gaithersburg for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Crown Farm Historic Park. There is no matching fund requirement for these grants. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2023 Capital Budget (Item 16 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Maryland Department of Health to approve a $39,750.00 grant to Cornerstone Montgomery, Inc. to assist with the planning and designing of the renovation of the Grantee’s property (1398 Lamberton Drive, Silver Spring). The Grantee provides a number of services for adults with mental health and co-occurring disorders at this property. The total project cost is $53,000 (Item 21 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $1,200,000 grant to the Board of Trustees of Adventist HealthCare, Inc. d.b.a. Adventist Healthcare Shady Grove Medical Center for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Shady Grove Medical Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2022 Capital Budget (Item 6 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda); and

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $200,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Potomac Community Center, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Potomac Community Recreation Center Outdoor Fitness Facility. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2023 Capital Budget (Item 12 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda).

Prince George’s County

• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $443,000 grant to the College Park City-University Partnership for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Paint Branch and Trolley Trails. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2021 Capital Budget (Item 5 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $243,000 grant to the Board of Directors of the Johns Hopkins House, Inc. for the acquisition of Whites Hall. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2022 Capital Budget (Item 10 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into grant agreements for grants totaling $550,000 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 Hard Bargain Environmental Center. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2021 ($200,000) and the 2022 ($350,000) Capital Budgets (Item 1 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $750,000 from the Local Parks and Playgrounds Infrastructure funding to construct a new dog park at Kentland Center Park (Item 7A.6 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $250,000 grant to the Board of Directors of Elizabeth Seton High School, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the school’s cafeteria. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2021 Capital Budget (Item 8 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $240,000 grant to the Board of Directors of The Mission of Love Charities, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, site improvement, and capital equipping of the Mission of Love Charities. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2021 Capital Budget (Item 17 of the Department of General Services’ Office of State Procurement Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $6,640,000 from Program Open Space funding allocated to Prince George’s County for the following projects:
  • Good Luck Community Center: $5,240,000 to construct a new 25,000-square foot community center. The project will also include expanding the parking lot, relocating the playground, resurfacing the outdoor tennis and basketball courts, and providing outdoor fields, a trail, and associated park amenities (Item 7A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Prince George’s County Sports and Learning Complex: $1,400,000 to replace the indoor track (Item 7A.3 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $15,889,911 in Program Open Space funding allocated to Prince Georges County for the following projects:
  • Charles Branch Stream Valley Park: $12,831,525.00 to acquire 537.24 acres to add to the park. This acquisition would protect significant undeveloped acreage from future development. The land, which is envisioned to be a conservation park, includes large tracts of forested land and provides a buffer for streams, wetlands, riparian areas, and wildlife habitats. There are opportunities on this property for passive recreation and to connect a natural surface trail with the County’s Park system (Item 7A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda);
  • Prince George’s Equestrian Center: $2,514,720.00 to construct a sound system, outdoor ring improvements, a shade structure, barn stall improvements, retaining walls, permeable pavers and an indoor scoreboard (Item 7A.4 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
  • Chesapeake Beach Railroad Trail: $523,666.38 to acquire 27.03 acres to create a new park that will connect to the trail (Item 7A.5 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Queen Anne’s County

• A request to provide a $957,833.46 grant to the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 224.30-acre conservation easement in the Foreman Branch Rural Legacy Area (Bluestem Farms, LLC). Acquisition of this easement will protect significant agricultural and forested land and provide 3,900 feet of forested and grassed stream buffers to the Chester River and an unnamed tributary. The easement will be held by the Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) and the County Commissioners. The County is paying administrative and compliance costs. Easement value: $4,220.58/acre (Item 11A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
• A request to provide a $215,322.75 grant to the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of a 51.05-acre conservation easement in the Lands End Rural Legacy Area (Tottingham property). Acquisition of this easement will protect valuable agricultural lands. In addition, the easement will protect forest lands that help buffer Island Creek, a tributary to the Chester River. The easement will be co-held by DNR and the County Commissioners. The County is paying administrative and compliance costs. Easement value: $4,128.01/acre (Item 12A of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda).

Wicomico

• A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $578,700.00 from Program Open Space funding allocated to Wicomico County for the following projects:
  • Pirates Wharf Park: $443,700.00 in additional funding for the design and construction of a new waterfront park (Item 8A.1 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda); and
  • Wetipquin Park: $135,000 to install a small fishing pier, pavilion, soft launch area and other park amenities (Item 8A.2 of the Department of Natural Resources’ Real Property Agenda)/