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Washington County officials say federal government bought Wright Road warehouse; county has no jurisdiction
Summary
County staff told commissioners that the federal government purchased a warehouse on Wright Road in Williamsport, MD, that will be operated by DHS as a processing facility; county officials said they were not involved in site selection and urged residents to contact congressional representatives with concerns.
County staff briefed the Board of County Commissioners on March 24 about the federal government's purchase of an existing warehouse on Wright Road in Williamsport, Maryland, which is now federal property and outside Washington County's jurisdiction. The county emphasized it was not involved in site selection or the private sales transaction and cannot oversee the project.
The briefing reported that Department of Homeland Security officials described the site as a processing or booking facility, not a long-term detention center, and estimated staffing and capacity figures. "The new facility is a processing facility and the new facility is not a detention center," the county reported, citing DHS statements. Officials said detainees would stay an average of three to seven days before transfer and that DHS anticipates about 500 beds in use on a given day, with the facility sized for up to 1,500 beds.
County staff said the federal government and its contractor (KVG LLC) will lead engineering and renovation work. KVG is responsible for assessing water and wastewater capacity and will coordinate with the City of Hagerstown for water and Washington County for wastewater connections. If additional capacity or infrastructure improvements are needed, the federal government indicated it would cover required fees and pay for improvements, including temporary solutions until upgrades are complete.
Officials said DHS indicated on March 16 that the site would include on-site medical staffing and ancillary services and that independent third-party audits would monitor standards such as nutrition, medical care, recreation, legal access, grievance mechanisms and water/wastewater management. The briefing noted that DHS officials welcomed continued dialogue with county staff and that no further public meetings were scheduled at the time.
County staff repeatedly urged residents with concerns to contact their congressional representatives — Congresswoman April McClain Delaney and U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks and Chris Van Hollen — and said any county action could require legal opinions about jurisdictional authority and potential liability. The county also noted a March 16 meeting between county representatives and DHS leadership that included Commission President John Barr, the County Administrator, County Attorney Zach Keifer, Sheriff Brian Albert and Colonel Pete Lazich.
The county said details about payments in lieu of taxes and contractual terms are under negotiation between the county attorney and DHS. Officials said they were not in a position to comment further on contractual negotiations while they are ongoing.
What happens next: County officials said they will continue communications with DHS and KVG LLC as engineering assessments proceed and will share information with residents as it becomes available.
