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County signs MOU with State Highway Administration to advance Great Mills Road streetscape; county to fund easements
Summary
St. Mary's County commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with the Maryland State Highway Administration to fund easement acquisition for the Maryland 246 (Great Mills Road) streetscape project, a county official said; the project includes sidewalks, drainage, landscaping and METCOM utility work.
The St. Mary's County Board of County Commissioners on Nov. 10 authorized the county to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Maryland State Highway Administration committing county funds to purchase easements needed for the Maryland 246 (Great Mills Road) Streetscape Project.
The county had previously allocated approximately $650,000 in its capital improvement program as the local share for acquisition of easements; a county official told commissioners the state's current estimate for easement costs is nearer to $448,000, with flexibility remaining until appraisals and property owner negotiations conclude.
"With the signature of the MOU," a county official said, "the state will complete its work on the appraisals...and they'll go forth with submitting, you know, going to each property owner with the appraisals and starting negotiations." The project covers about 1.4 miles from Carl Drive to the entrance of St. Mary's Square and is expected to include sidewalks on both sides of the road, improved gutters and stormwater management, resurfacing, landscaping, and pedestrian safety features. METCOM will replace sewer and water lines in the same corridor and is expected to consolidate contracts to improve efficiency, planners said.
County staff described the project as roughly a $5,000,000 state investment for construction and associated costs, with METCOM's work adding a separate cost component. The project will affect about 43 property owners who have received notices informing them of appraisals and the types of easements the state may seek — temporary construction easements, utility easements, slope easements, and in some cases fee acquisitions.
Commissioners were told negotiations with property owners cannot begin until appraisals are complete; staff said the state anticipates advertising for bids in April–May 2009 and beginning construction in August–September 2009 if negotiations and permitting proceed on schedule.
Commissioner comments at the meeting noted tradeoffs between loss of some in‑front parking at businesses along Great Mills Road and the anticipated long‑term safety, stormwater and economic benefits. The board voted to approve and sign the MOU as presented.
