La Plata, MD – The Charles County Commissioners received an update Tuesday, July 26 on Capital Improvement Programs for Charles County Director of Public Works Bill Shreve.

Included in those projects is a possible new home for the county’s own animal shelter.

Shreve outlined the county’s recent reorganization, that of moving the Capital Services Division into the Public Works Department, and that for the last several months the two departments have been gearing up to implement the plan.

“One of our goals, besides completing projects, is to improve communications throughout, with the commissioners, our citizens and other customers,” Shreve said.

He pointed out that there are about 84 projects in the Capital Improvements Program and another 100 projects involving utilities. He added that the College of Southern Maryland is helping provide training and certification for managers and program managers.

In offering up a summary of projects, Shreve admitted, “I understand we will be doing these reports on a more routine basis.”

  • The Senior Multi-Generational building, he pointed out, “Is not listed in our budget yet because the site hasn’t been selected.
  • The La Plata Armory, Shreve explained, a draft feasibility study has been conducted and staff has received the report and are reviewing it.
  • The Charles County Health Department is on their list of projects because of roof damage caused by recent winter storms.

“If you recall, there were structural site issues with the snowfall creating a flexing of the roof, causing some leaking and some damage,” he said. “There was a roof structural report done. We asked for another. They’re basically going to add a second roof on what’s already there. We want to make sure the main building structure can support that.”

  • Western Parkway phases 2 and 4 are moving forward, Shreve noted, saying that regarding Phase 2, a request for purchase was sent to Purchasing June 7 and that the dates of advertising involving the project have yet to be determined; and that in regards to Phase 3, the county met with state officials to discuss the status of permits since the county had to revert back to the project’s original alignment, which directs the highway away from the fragile headwaters of Mattawoman Creek. This realignment, recommended by county staff, was partially precipitated by Walmart’s withdrawing from Chaney’s ambitious Waldorf Crossing.
  • Shreve said the county is working with the state of Maryland on some of its storm water management projects, some of which are under stringent deadlines.
  • He added that the design for the proposed Popes Creek Rail Trail has been completed.
  • Along with a proposed roundabout at Middleton and Billingsley roads, the county also has several solar projects in the works, he noted.
  • “The animal shelter is progressing,” Shreve added. “The feasibility study is being handled by emergency services. Once it gets to the design and construction phase, it will be turned over to capital projects.”

County Commissioner Ken Robinson [D-District 1], said he would like to see a list of start dates on the county’s road projects.

“Some of these things have been in the works for over a year,” he said. “We would like to see when construction will begin on these road projects.”

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com