Commissioners decline to move forward with immediate purchase of Leonardtown PNC building; keep option under consideration

County staff and several commissioners discussed a possible county acquisition of a downtown Leonardtown commercial building sometimes described in the meeting as the PNC building. The property has been on the market and proponents argued acquisition could meet county space needs for the treasurer, sheriff and other administrative functions while increasing downtown foot traffic.

Staff noted the building would require acquisition, A&E and renovation funding plus technology and program investments; the town council reportedly prefers retail use, and past offers by private buyers have fallen through because the building configuration limits retail potential. Commissioners expressed mixed views: one commissioner said the building price information they had suggested it might be available below earlier listed figures but said the mayor and council opposed county purchase that would remove the property from the tax rolls. Others cautioned the county should prioritize its own operational space needs before adding new capital obligations.

Given those mixed signals, participants agreed not to include the PNC building acquisition in the FY2016 draft capital budget. Commissioners asked staff to continue to explore short‑ and long‑term space solutions for county agencies (including options in the Potomac building, armory and other county properties) and to bring updated space‑needs information back in the next budget cycle. The board left the acquisition as a potential future option but declined immediate action.