During a meeting this morning of the Board of Public Works funding was approved for seven county governments to move forward with eleven local projects. Allocations mostly came from Program Open Space via the Maryland Department of Natural resources, the State capital budget, and grant funds through the Maryland Department of the Environment.
The State Board of Public Works convened this morning to consider funding requests for projects, contracts, and expenditure plans for state agencies, many of which funnel money directly to county governments for capital improvements, environmental projects, and the like. During the meeting today they approved a total of $15M in funding for county governments, with $10M of that going to Howard County from a 2024 State capital budget allocation. This amount is partial funding for the Ellicott City Safe and Sound North Tunnel Project which will aid in stormwater management to relieve devastating flooding that has plagued this area of the county. This is the largest public works project in the history of the Howard County government.
Check out additional funds for county government projects statewide that were also approved during the meeting today.
Allegany
- Department of Natural Resources to commit $46,215 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Allegany County to replace the existing brick walkway and drainage system at the Frostburg Depot.
- A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $17,728 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Allegany County to purchase and install new picnic tables and park benches at the Cresaptown Sports Complex.
Baltimore City
- Maryland Department of the Environment grant funding up to $2,745,098 to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City to install a solar panel array at one of Baltimore City’s decommissioned landfills, which will net-meter power usage for the Montebello Water Filtration Plant. Solar energy generated from this system will provide energy credit to the water filtration plant, offsetting operating costs. Projected production will supply approximately 40% of Montebello’s current annual electrical use.
Baltimore County
- Department of Natural Resources to commit $525,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Baltimore County to install a new pickleball court, asphalt trail, and pavilion, and repair the existing tennis court, bridge, and trail at Catonsville Community Park.
- Department of Natural Resources to commit $750,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Baltimore County for improvements at Sparks Park. This includes new pickleball courts, parking lot pavement, fencing removal, and new playground equipment.
Carroll
- A $623,516 grant to Carroll County from Rural Legacy Funds for the acquisition of an 85.29-acre conservation easement in the Little Pipe Creek Rural Legacy Area (Hunter property). Acquisition of this conservation easement will protect productive farmland with prime agricultural soils, along with woodlands, as well as scenic views along Francis Scott Key Highway. A forested stream buffer will be protected along approximately 5,000 linear feet of Piney Creek and unnamed tributaries to Piney Creek, all of which flow to the Upper Monocacy River. This easement will be held by the County Commissioners of Carroll County. The County is paying administrative and compliance costs. Easement value: $7,263.83/acre.
Frederick
The Department of Natural Resources to commit a total of $441,031 from Program Open Space funding allocated to Frederick County for the following development projects:
- Messenelle Park: $35,100 to update the park’s water utility connection to tie into the town’s water line on Main Street in New Market;
- Doubs Meadow Park: $54,000 to replace the original water utility main that serves the concessions and restrooms; and
- Othello Regional Park: $351,931.50 to construct a community center, shelters, trails, and roadways.
Howard
- A grant agreement for a $10,000,000 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 for the Extended North Tunnel Project for stormwater management. There is no matching fund requirement for this grant. The General Assembly previously approved this funding as part of the 2024 Capital Budget.
Washington
- Department of Natural Resources to commit $45,000 from the Program Open Space funding allocated to Washington County to install concrete flooring in the show barn area at the Agriculture Education Center.
