Prince Frederick, MD – A recently vacated building that happens to be located within an area of the Prince Frederick Town Center being eyed for future growth could soon become the property of Calvert County Government.
During their Tuesday, June 23 meeting the Calvert County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a budget adjustment for the purchase option, setting in motion the process for acquiring the former Prince Frederick office of Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO).
The building on Dares Beach Road is located within the town center’s Fairgrounds District. “The property consists of approximately 20 acres, improved by a 14,000 square-foot office building and several ancillary structures,” stated Department of General Services Director Wilson Freeland in a memo to the commissioners.
The building was vacated by SMECO last year and put up for sale. Freeland stated the site’s proximity to downtown core of Prince Frederick “make it highly suited for county government use.”
County officials have identified the building as a temporary location for a much-clamored for community center. Freeland added that the purchase price is $2.6 million, a figure that has been validated by “two recently acquired appraisals.”
The commissioners agreed to bond-fund the purchase. A public hearing on the budget adjustment would be needed and the Maryland General Assembly would need to approve the bonding component.
“I think this will make a lot of people happy,” said Commissioner Tom Hejl [R – At Large].
“There is so much potential, this is something that could not be passed up,” said Commissioner Mike Hart [R – District 1], who predicted “future boards will benefit” from the acquisition of the building.
Calvert County Government is currently leasing office space for many of its departments and divisions. The efforts by the local Circuit Court to have additional space in the Calvert County Courthouse and the lack of capital funds for expansion of the County Services Plaza on Main Street make the acquisition appear to be fiscally prudent.
“This is a purchase that makes sense,” said Commissioner Evan K. Slaughenhoupt Jr. [R – District 3]. “A great opportunity is there. We need to take advantage of it.”
According to Freeland, “a non-refundable payment of $26,000 is required to secure our option to purchase, which will be credited against the $2.6 million purchase price when final settlement is made on the property.”
A date for the mandatory public hearing on the budget adjustment has not been established yet.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com