Commissioners authorize public hearing for Rogers Drive extension using CDBG funds

The Commissioners of St. Mary’s County on April 25 authorized the Department of Economic Development to schedule a public hearing on May 16 to consider redirecting Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to extend Rogers Drive in Lexington Park.

Deputy Director Robin Finneca and Vicky Folk, executive director of the Saint Mary’s County Community Development Corporation (CDC), described the project as a neighborhood road connection identified in the 2016 Lexington Park master plan. Folk said the CDC would build the road under county standards and turn the completed road over to the county. The CDC reported available funding that could support the work: roughly $230,000 in corpus funds from a prior sale, a state commitment of $100,000 toward the project, $40,000 in CDC cash, and $70,000 in in‑kind services. Vicky Folk said the land for the short extension would be donated by a private owner (identified in the presentation as Pete DeTemple).

Officials said the extension is intended to improve neighborhood access and public‑safety patrols in Colony Square by creating a second entrance and improving circulation. Staff noted the CDBG program places high emphasis on local public involvement; the county would be the applicant for the grant and—if funded—would pass funds through to the CDC as a subrecipient. The board approved staff’s request to set a public hearing to gather community input as part of the formal application process.

Next steps: the Department of Economic Development will schedule and publicize a May 16 public hearing, collect input, and return a full funding and application package to the board for final consideration if the county decides to submit the CDBG application.