The battle ground has been set for 375 years, but the combatants have changed. On the horizon is another modern day battle for the landscape of Historic St. Mary’s City. Once again, St. Mary’s College of Maryland is at the center of the conflict.
SMCM has plans to build two new structures, including a footbridge to span State Route 5. As in the most recent battle, the group, Citizens for the Preservation of Historic City, is opposing the effort. CPHSMC takes the position that the proposed changes will destroy the carefully preserved historical areas of Maryland’s first capital.
SMCM’s $1.49 Million footbridge over State Route 5 and improvements to the shoreline in front of the new River Center, including a new pier are at the center of the controversy.
CPHSMC and SMCM waged war earlier during the construction of the River Center, two buildings built on the river’s shore. CPHSMC at the time took the position that the shore was historically significant, stating that the site of the construction was where Maryland’s first settlers landed 375 years ago.
On Wednesday, Oct. 22, CPHSCM hosted a gathering at the Ridge Fire House to discuss the SMCM projects. At that meeting nearly 100 were in attendance, including Sen. Roy Dyson (D-29th). During the River Center debate, Dyson was a primary advocate for the group. However, the construction proceeded despite the criticism.
While speaking at the Oct. 22 meeting, many were reluctant to disparage SMCM’s significance as a nationally recognized liberal arts college, but were adamant that the newly proposed construction would be detrimental the history of the city.
It is certain that the debate is not done by any means. Time will tell if the citizen outrage has any impact on the college’s plans. However, after the diatribe and discourse that added to the rancor of the River Center debate, it is evident that ill feelings have not dissipated and tempers will flare once again before the situation is resolved.