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Emmitsburg board approves application to seek $400,000 state grant to acquire 304 East Main Street
Summary
The board unanimously approved Resolution 26-15R authorizing a $400,000 Strategic Demolition/State Revitalization grant application to acquire 304 East Main Street (the former Main Street Deli). The town plans to solicit developer proposals for renovation and expects the developer to fund rehabilitation costs.
The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners voted July 13 to authorize a state grant application that would fund acquisition of 304 East Main Street, the town's former Main Street Deli. The resolution authorizes the mayor and town manager to execute documents necessary to apply for $400,000 through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Strategic Demolition/State Revitalization program.
Mayor (S7) told commissioners the town's grant administrator identified the opportunity and the property owner has signed a nonbinding letter of intent indicating interest in a sale. "Maddie was able to find this grant opportunity," the mayor said, and the town's plan is to acquire the parcel, solicit proposals from developers and select the proposal it prefers.
Under the plan described to the board, the purchase price would be covered by the $400,000 grant; renovations would not be funded by that purchase-money grant and would be the responsibility of a developer chosen through a future request-for-proposals process. In response to questions, the mayor said the town would require a monitoring period (described during discussion as roughly three years) before transferring the site to the developer and anticipated that the town would realize increased tax revenue after redevelopment. The mayor also noted one residential unit on the property is currently vacant due to failing inspection, and that tenants likely could remain in place until development moves forward.
A motion to submit the application and authorize the mayor and town manager to sign the necessary documents passed by voice vote.
The board handled the resolution as a standard applicant-authorization item; the resolution references the town's status as a Maryland Sustainable Community and requests a $400,000 grant for acquisition and associated site work. The board did not commit local matching funds for renovations; that work would be contingent on developer proposals and subsequent agreements.
