La Plata, MD – A proposed animal shelter for Charles County would cost more than $7 million, but to renovate the existing Tri-County Animal Shelter would cost “significantly more,” Mark Moore of FMD Architects Inc. told the Charles County Commissioners Tuesday, Feb. 28.
Additionally, Moore explained, consultants strongly recommended against renovating the current shelter because, “the structure can’t be modified.” Restrictions on the property also inhibit expansion, he pointed out.
Bill Stephens, director of Emergency Services, explained that the Tri-County Animal Shelter was constructed to be a tri-county facility to serve 87,000 animals.
“It now serves 358,000 residents, four times the amount of residents it was originally built for,” he said.
One consideration that still needs to be determined is whether St. Mary’s County will join with Charles County on the project. St. Mary’s is still pondering that option.
“We need to determine if we want an area centrally located for Charles and St. Mary’s or just a convenient location here in Charles,” Stephens said.
He said any existing structure would need to be at least 22,000 square feet where the county could go in and “build up,” promising a “better streamline flow of the whole operation.”
The county intends to invite the community to participate in community-based programs for adoption programs and such. The main goal, he stressed, is to reduce euthanasia and encourage adoptions. Consultants are looking at epoxy flooring, which he called durable and long-lasting. The facility would also feature noise-reduction measures throughout. “The idea is to focus on a stress-free environment for the animals,” he said.
“Our thought would be to have activities throughout the year to increase adoption,” Scott Learned of Design Learned Inc. noted. “With a new building you can offer all that. You would need to find a site that could accommodate what we need. You have to increase your size by at least 20 percent if you buy an existing structure. So we need to find out what’s out there and what is the reality of it being in the right location?”
Rick Bailey of Marrick Properties estimated that once the property is procured, the county is still two years away from cutting the ribbon.
“This is a good starting point,” Charles County Commissioner Ken Robinson [D – District 1] said. “There’s a lot to consider. I really like the adding of venues making it more of an animal center than an animal shelter. That could make this a community asset. Obviously, we don’t know if we’re partnering with St. Mary’s or not. My feeling is that this is more likely to be a Charles County only facility, which gives us a lot more leeway. As many of my colleagues know, there is no shortage of property in the county already owns that could be considered.”
“Your current facility is old and they’re doing the best they can,” Moore stated. “It’s time to open the doors and get the community more involved.”
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com