Sykesville approves $450,000 to support Station renovation, ties payments to construction milestones

The Sykesville Town Council unanimously approved a $450,000 request to support structural renovations at the Station, the downtown property leased to Stazione Incorporated, the council announced Monday.

The funds are limited to building improvements—foundation, framing for a new kitchen, sprinkler system and platform enclosure—and will be disbursed at specific construction milestones recommended by staff. The council’s approval requires that demolition of the existing kitchen and platform be completed by March 15 and states that the town will not consider additional direct funding for the project beyond this award.

Town staff said the lease was executed in December 2023 and the council previously approved $350,000 to jump-start renovations; staff reported roughly $210,000 of that earlier allocation has already been drawn down. "The additional funding of $450,000 would actually be put straight to the building renovations," Town staff member Joe said, characterizing the requested dollars as investments that will vest with the town if the business does not remain. Staff recommended linking draws to tangible milestones such as building-permit release, going vertical on the kitchen addition and enclosure of the platform.

Dante, the lessee who presented the update, described the request as necessary to address redesigns to the kitchenette, windows and other elements required by the Maryland Historical Trust review and to bring the building into compliance. "The dollars that we are requesting are for the building, for the shell, for the build out. It's not towards finishes," Dante said, adding his investment commitment and saying he would agree not to return to the council for additional direct town funding except under extraordinary circumstances. He also warned that some costs—such as tapping a 6-inch waterline under Main Street and final sprinkler expenses—remain uncertain and are embedded in the request.

Council members pressed for clarity on what the town’s dollars would purchase and for public access to the timetable and draw schedule; the mayor said staff would make that information available. Councilwoman Guroff confirmed accessibility improvements in design details, including a 42-inch ADA entry door. Council members also discussed using awarded facade-improvement grant funding to help offset portions of the request if eligible.

Mayor Anton moved the motion, which Councilman Keenan made and Brandon seconded in the record; the motion passed with seven ayes. The council’s motion directs staff to release the awarded funds only at the previously recommended milestones and conditions the award on the March 15 demolition completion and the town’s stated cap on additional direct funding.

The council approved the motion at its Jan. 26 meeting. Next steps: staff will post the draw schedule and related project timetables for public review and administer milestone-based disbursements if the demolition contingency and milestone checks are met.