Residents and Friendship Aspire urge council to consider long-term lease for Ken Hill Center

Residents and representatives of Friendship Aspire Public Charter School asked the Bowie City Council on Jan. 5 to consider a long-term lease for the Ken Hill Center that would return the property to educational use and eliminate the facility's operating deficit.

Diane Polanger (who read a statement on behalf of Dawn Denbow) said Friendship Aspire has been awarded a charter to locate in Bowie and expressed interest in a long-term lease for the Ken Hill Center; Polanger told the council the academy would cover building improvements, ongoing maintenance, security and janitorial services and would make rooms available for after-hours community meetings.

Holly Markward, who said she previously served as executive director for the Greater Bowie Chamber of Commerce, voiced support for Friendship Aspire and stressed the fiscal benefits of a market-rate lease that would stabilize the facility and reduce city expenses. Kathy Mason, chair of Friendship Aspire Public Charter School, asked Mayor Adams to allocate time on an upcoming agenda for a formal presentation and proposal covering community access, finances and capital improvements.

Council members acknowledged the request and directed staff to add a presentation from Friendship Aspire to a future meeting agenda so the council and public can review details beyond the public comments.

Next steps: Council staff will place Friendship Aspire's presentation on an upcoming meeting agenda; the school will present a formal proposal with specifics on lease terms, scheduling for community use and capital/improvement commitments.