County approves purchase of 'Roses 2' property on Great Mills Road to extend FDR Boulevard, with one commissioner opposed and one abstention

Saint Mary's County commissioners approved the acquisition of a parcel on Great Mills Road known locally as "Roses 2" (21708 Great Mills Road) for $450,000 at their Nov. 10, 2009 meeting, authorizing the county to take settlement steps and to demolish the existing structure after closing.

The property purchase is intended to secure right‑of‑way for a long‑planned extension of FDR Boulevard through Lexington Park and to provide an additional access route for the nearby fire station, rescue squad, library and elementary school. Liz Pasarelli, the county's real property manager, told commissioners the county has pursued the parcel since the early 2000s and said an appraisal connected to a State Highway Administration streetscape project valued the property at roughly $502,472. "It is important to acquire this property, not only for FDR Boulevard, but to provide, an additional access to the fire department," Pasarelli said.

Discussion and vote: Commissioners debated timing and fiscal prudence but several said the parcel's location and long history of being set aside for a roadway made the purchase appropriate. Commissioner Railey moved approval, seconded by Commissioner Mattingly. The motion passed with the board reporting "Ayes 3, Nay 1, Abstain 1." The county directed the Department of Public Works and Transportation to proceed with demolition of the existing building as soon as practicable after settlement.

Context and planning: County staff said the right‑of‑way and the center line of the planned extension would run through the existing building, making partial acquisition impractical. The parcel is included in the county's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and staff said acquisition funds are available in the programmed budget. Commissioners noted the purchase price is below the recent appraisal and several speakers emphasized the project's role in relieving congestion and supporting planned development in Lexington Park.

Public process: The acquisition followed a sequence of offers and estate settlement steps: an offer sent Aug. 31, 2009, acceptance on Sept. 21, and fully executed contract returned around Oct. 15. The county advertised notice in the Enterprise on Oct. 21 that the purchase would be considered at the Nov. 10 meeting; the acquisition was carried out pursuant to Article 24, Section 4‑210(e) of the Annotated Code of Maryland, as cited in staff materials.

What happens next: Settlement documents will be executed by the commissioner president, county staff said, and demolition and site work will follow. County officials said the acquisition is meant to preserve long‑planned roadway connectivity and to avoid a future scenario in which a private purchaser would develop the site in a way that would block the corridor.

Evidence: Real property manager Liz Pasarelli presented the acquisition history and appraisal figures; the purchase motion was by Commissioner Railey, seconded by Commissioner Mattingly; the vote was recorded by the clerk during the Nov. 10 meeting.