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MDP presents $6 million in bond requests for preservation programs; Jefferson Patterson projects receive mixed status
Summary
The Maryland Department of Planning told the Capital Budget Subcommittee it seeks $6,000,000 in GO bonds plus $150,000 in special funds for three grant/loan programs administered with the Maryland Historical Trust; some Jefferson Patterson Park projects are active while others are not funded in FY26.
Elizabeth Weibel, presenting for the Maryland Department of Planning, told the Capital Budget Subcommittee that MDP’s FY26 capital budget includes $6,000,000 in GEO bond funding and $150,000 in special funds across three historic preservation grant and loan programs.
Weibel said the African American Heritage Preservation Program would receive $5,000,000 in bonds, the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) Capital Grant Program would receive $1,000,000 in bonds and the MHT loan program would receive $150,000 from loan repayments. “The estimated annual revenues to the [loan] program will only support up to $150,000 in annual encumbrances through fiscal 2028,” Weibel said, noting the loan fund would require recapitalization by fiscal 2029 unless the recent transfer authority is fully evaluated.
Weibel told the committee that a 2023 change in law allows the MHT loan program to transfer funds to qualifying nonprofit organizations; Preservation Maryland received a $1,300,000 transfer from the loan program in fiscal 2024. Budget staff recommended approving the FY26 authorizations and the requested special fund allowance while DBM recommended delaying recapitalization of the loan program until the impacts of the transfer authority are clearer.
On projects at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum (JPPM) in Calvert County, Weibel said the St. Leonard’s Creek shoreline project is conducting erosion control measures and a plan is under review at the Department of the Environment. The Asbury House renovation previously programmed for FY27 was removed from the CIP; Patterson House renovations are complete and the facility is expected to open to the public in May. Weibel said the Maryland archeology conservation lab renovation and expansion is about 60% complete and expected to need no additional funds.
Director Elizabeth Hughes of the Maryland Historical Trust joined the panel in person. In response to Vice Chair Corey McCray’s question about grant extensions and project delays, Hughes said nonprofit applicants often have limited capacity and complex projects can require “a lot of hand holding and technical assistance” to complete. She noted COVID‑era delays and a shortage of skilled contractors and materials as recurring causes of schedule slippage.
DLS recommended approving the authorizations and amendments for MDP’s programs and concurred with the governor’s allowance of special funds.
