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City staff backs feasibility study for Discovery Station site; Historical Society and Arts Council offer funding and partnerships
Summary
City staff recommended up to $40,000 in city support toward a feasibility study for the Discovery Station building at 101 W. Washington St., with matching funds pledged by the Washington County Historical Society and interest from the Washington County Arts Council.
City staff and the Washington County Historical Society on Oct. 21 discussed a feasibility study to evaluate the acquisition and long‑term management of the Discovery Station building at 101 West Washington Street. The historical society and partners have proposed using the building for museum, archives and artist/arts‑space purposes.
Jill Thompson (city staff) told council that Andy Stout, executive director of the Washington County Historical Society, had already identified $20,000 toward the study and that the city had a line item in the economic redevelopment budget that could cover up to $40,000 as city match (staff requested authorization to allocate up to $40,000 to a feasibility study estimated to cost roughly $50,000). The city’s $40,000 would come from a reconfigured Partners in Economic Progress line item the administration is reviewing.
Stout said the society has solicited proposals and will require evaluation of long‑term operational sustainability (not just acquisition cost). The Washington County Arts Council expressed interest in subleasing space for artist work and gallery functions. Staff said they would pursue other partners (including the county) and that the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) had already provided a $20,000 grant the society seeks to direct to the study; Thompson said she would travel to Cumberland the next day to request transfer of that MHAA funding to this project.
Council members expressed support for the feasibility study and suggested pursuing county and other partner funding as well. Staff will place a funding authorization item on the next regular session agenda for formal action.
