Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
FDR Boulevard moving forward on land acquisition; commissioners divided on construction timing
Summary
County staff reported substantial progress acquiring right-of-way for FDR Boulevard and told commissioners the county has obtained about 95–96% of needed property for Phase 1; some commissioners urged continued progress while others said construction timing should be reassessed given economic risks to the area.
St. Mary’s County staff updated the Board of County Commissioners on property-acquisition progress for FDR Boulevard at the Feb. 24 budget work session and the board debated whether to proceed with construction now or wait for clearer economic signals.
Staff said they had secured roughly 95–96% of the right-of-way needed for Phase 1, with several of the remaining parcels concentrated in one homeowners association. Staff told commissioners it had secured option contracts and signed agreements for many parcels and would present additional property-option contracts to the board at the next meeting.
Commissioner discussion focused on timing. Several commissioners, including Board President Jack Russell and Commissioner Cynthia L. Jones, supported continuing with design and land acquisition so the county would be ready for construction when conditions warrant. One commissioner urged caution on construction timing in light of potential defense cutbacks and other economic uncertainties that could reduce demand; that commissioner said they would prefer to “move slowly and cautiously” on construction even while completing property acquisition.
Staff emphasized that land acquisition and design are prerequisites to construction and recommended continuing with right-of-way acquisition and design so the county would be ready when construction funding or conditions align.
Why it matters: FDR Boulevard is a high-cost transportation project central to several development districts and county growth planning; property acquisition affects schedule and cost, and the timing of construction influences local traffic and development patterns.
