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Middle River community pitches private‑partner library, park preservation and aviation museum expansion
Summary
Community members described a private‑partner plan for a new Middle River library, urged development of the CP Crane parkland and sought continued support for the Martin Aviation Museum expansion on Lockheed property.
Community advocates at the District 5 town hall pushed for a privately partnered library in Middle River, for preservation and development of the county’s recently acquired CP Crane property as parkland, and for support of the Lehigh (Lehi) L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum expansion.
Chris Hinkle, representing a community task force working with Baltimore County Public Libraries, said developers of the Greenlee community have offered to fund the upfront capital costs and maintenance for a 25,000‑square‑foot library in Middle River, which the group said could open within 18 months with no county capital cost and would require only operating lease funding.
Supporters also urged continued development of the CP Crane property, which County Executive Klausmeier announced the county used $10,000,000 in state Program Open Space funds to acquire as 85 acres for preservation. Speakers said the site could provide parkland, water access and recreation opportunities for Middle River.
Gustavus McLeod of the Glen L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum described the museum’s move onto 14 acres of the former Lockheed property and asked the county to continue supporting the museum's educational and workforce programs.
Sharon Keane of the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce said Middle River has significant economic growth and supported additional personnel, equipment and facilities for emergency services, plus public‑private partnerships to deliver a library and other amenities.
Ending: Middle River advocates requested county funding for operations and staffing where required, and urged the council and executive to coordinate with private partners to accelerate library and park projects during the FY26 budget process.
