Some Dundalk Residents Remain 'Adamantly Opposed' to Government Center Sale

It didn't take long after Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz announced the selected buyers of three county-owned properties, including the North Point Government Center, for residents to speak out for and against the proposal.

Kamenetz announced on Oct. 24 that a procurement committee had selected the bid of Vanguard Commercial Development to buy a portion of the property. The Vanguard proposal allows the county to retain nearly 13 acres of the site for the continued recreational use by nearby neighborhoods.

In selecting the proposal, the executive said he believed the project was a good compromise for all parties. The county will return property in a "heavily traveled commercial corridor" to the tax rolls while preserving beloved open space and providing new retail opportunities for residents.
"Those who were concerned only about what they will lose won't lose a thing," Kamenetz said at a press briefing Oct. 27.

Kamenetz met with a select group of community leaders the next morning to tell them personally of the selection made. He told reporters Wednesday he wanted the community to hear of the decision from him and not from local media outlets.

One group, Dundalk United—founded early this year to fight the closure of Eastwood Elementary School and the sale of the government center—had representatives there. But its members aren't sold on the decision.

"Dundalk United remains adamantly opposed to Mr. Kamenetz's proposed unprecedented action of selling a public park and recreation facilities for private commercial development," organization officials said in a statement.

The park is a "treasured place, carefully preserved for our children and grandchildren," according to the statement, and "the loss of any part of this popular site will have a negative impact on the surrounding area."

The Dundalk Renaissance Corp., an organization helping to guide housing revitalization and economic development in the community, is "committed to the advancement of commercial and residential opportunities for the citizens of Dundalk, and to seeking reinvestment that attracts the next generation of Dundalk residents," according to a statement from Executive Director Amy Mender and President David Janiszewski.

"DRC believes the sale of the North Point Government center to Vanguard Commercial Development (LLC) is a positive outcome for those who live, work, shop and play in our community," they said in the statement.

In sending his apologies for not being able to attend the gathering of community leaders called by Kamenetz, Norwood-Holabird Civic Association President John Ayres issued a seemingly conciliatory statement urging the community to end the debate that has divided it since January and to move forward, regardless of the decision made concerning the two competing bids on the property. A second proposal was submitted by Sollers Investors LLC, headed by John Vontran, who owns the former Seagram's Distillery property on Sollers Point Road.

Just a couple of hours later, after hearing the decision to award the bid to Vanguard, Ayres' tone had changed considerably. 

In an email to community leaders, NHCA members and media outlets, Ayres declared that the county decision was not final; that the County Council can "overturn and send this decision back to the procurement committee and re-review both proposals again based upon economics and community benefits since Sollers LLC proposal had more money involved than Vanguard." 

Kamenetz said the Vanguard proposal had many aspects that made it the more attractive and realistic proposal.

The community gets to keep its open space and recreation activities will continue without interruption, thanks to Vanguard's commitment to building a replacement recreation center before the government center is torn down, according to the executive.

The Seagram's property is contaminated by commercial toxins and is the subject of a voluntary remediation program through the Maryland Department of the Environment. But the cleanup plan on file is based upon much of that land being paved or otherwise sealed because of a planned residential development with roads and sidewalks.

It's likely a much different plan would be needed if the land were to remain unsealed and used as open space, according to MDE officials.

Kamenetz said the committee was concerned that remediation efforts would delay the project beyond the county's desired timeline for all the components of the project to be completed.

Another element of the project is to renovate the now-closed Eastwood Elementary Magnet School to house North Point Police Precinct 12, now housed at the government center.

The design phase of that project has begun and Kamenetz said he anticipates the police station moving in 12 to 18 months.

DRC officials say the proposal offers recreational, social, economic, retail, employment and entertainment opportunities not available now.

"The development of new retail, restaurants, a recreation center and improved fields at the North Point Government Center parcel is an exciting opportunity for Dundalk," according to the group's statement. "We welcome this reinvestment in our community."

Related Article:

Unique Plan for North Point Government Center Seals Deal for Vanguard