Pocomoke Council Narrows Community Center Choices; Warned That Moving Site Could Jeopardize $800,000 CDBG Grant
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Summary
Councilmembers reviewed four finalists for a Family Life/Community Center, heard an updated schematic from designer Jonathan Selwell and were told the city’s 61.24% LMI designation and grant rules mean changing the cited location could risk an $800,000 CDBG award; council agreed to post schematics and gather public input.
Pocomoke City councilmembers discussed the final four proposals for a planned Family Life Center and weighed whether to keep the project at a downtown site cited in the city's CDBG application or pursue an alternate parcel owned by the city.
Miss Matthews (staff) told the council the CDBG application must specify a project location and that Pocomoke City’s low‑to‑moderate‑income (LMI) percentage is 61.24%. She warned that relocating the project could alter the LMI calculation and "we could also lose the grant." The grant amount discussed was up to $800,000 with a two‑year spending window; staff said this round may be the program's last for this specific funding opportunity.
Several councilmembers raised transportation and neighborhood impacts as considerations if the center were moved farther from the downtown core; others said locating downtown would help revitalize businesses and provide walkable access for inner‑city children. City staff listed several city‑owned parcels as possible alternatives (Virginia Road, Wall Street parcels, a lot behind Lynn Haven, and a lot across from the fairgrounds) but noted that ownership and grant subrecipient rules matter for eligibility.
Designer Jonathan Selwell (proposal) submitted an updated schematic with a mezzanine, green public space and multiuse indoor/outdoor areas; two finalists provided interior and exterior concepts. Councilmembers expressed preferences for the WGM and Selwell designs and emphasized features such as studios for youth media, a gym, a kitchen with a covered walkway and outdoor stage area.
Council agreed to post the four schematics on the city’s Facebook page (turning comments off and directing residents to email feedback), pin the link for visibility, and reconvene in about two weeks for further direction. Mayor Todd Knox said staff would contact Worcester County representatives (Annette Wallace) to explore whether a county partnership is feasible without endangering grant requirements.
Support materials included a reported nearly 20 support letters for the originally proposed location and an online petition whose public signer count was discussed (council mentioned figures between 12 and 24). The council did not make a final site decision and asked staff to research site logistics and report back.
