Board of Public Works Approves $15.4M for Counties and Community Colleges

Outdoor preservation and recreation funding as well as renovation funds for local community colleges stand out as major priorities in most recent allocations made by the Maryland Board of Public Works.

During a meeting last week, the Maryland Board of Public Works approved more than $15.36 million in funding for county governments and county-supported community colleges through Program Open Space, capital budget grants, and higher education capital projects.

Of the total approved, the largest county government allocation was $5M to Prince George’s for renovations of the Old Fairmount Heights High School, as previously authorized in the 2024 Capital Budget.

Program Open Space approvals totaled $455K across Dorchester and Frederick counties, supporting local park improvements, land acquisition, accessibility upgrades, and recreational amenities.

In addition, the Board approved $9.66M for community college capital projects. While these funds are awarded directly to the institutions, Maryland’s community colleges are jointly funded by the State and county governments. Several of the approved projects focus on expanding workforce development and career training opportunities, including improvements at Allegany College of Maryland and Howard Community College.

See all county allocations and projects below.

Dorchester

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $135,000 from Program Open Space funding allocated to Dorchester County for construction of a new restroom and storage facility supporting the adjacent recreation facilities at School Street Park.

Frederick

  • A request from the Department of Natural Resources to commit $163,500 in Program Open Space funding to acquire 1.56 acres in New Market for the future development of a soccer field complex, parking, and associated site amenities.
  • A request to commit $127,000 in Program Open Space funding to extend an access lane, expand parking, and construct new trail amenities, including seating, signage, fishing and picnic areas, pollinator plantings, and related improvements.
  • A request to commit $29,250 in Program Open Space funding to construct a paved ADA-accessible pathway at East West Park in Mount Airy.

Prince George’s

  • A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $250,000 capital grant for flood reduction improvements in the Calvert Hills neighborhood of the City of College Park.
  • A request to enter into a grant agreement for a $5,000,000 capital grant for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, renovation, and capital equipping of the Old Fairmount Heights High School.

Community Colleges

  • Anne Arundel Community College — $2,464,858.90 to renovate the Dragun Science Building
  • Allegany College of Maryland — $2,402,000 to renovate the Workforce Development and Training Center
  • Community College of Baltimore County — $1,000,000 for electrical infrastructure improvements at the Essex Campus as well as $1,695,000 for roof replacement and repairs across three campuses.
  • Howard Community College — $2,100,000 to construct a new Workforce Development and Trades Center