ANNAPOLIS, MD—Following a vote by the Maryland Board of Public Works, Baltimore County officials this week announced that the county will be acquiring ownership of the historic Pikesville Armory from the State of Maryland.
“Today is a vital step forward in our ongoing work to reimagine this historic site as a thriving community anchor for Pikesville,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “I am proud of our administration’s unprecedented commitment and investment to this project and look forward to continuing to work with the Pikesville Armory Foundation, federal, state and local leaders, and many other vital community partners to support transformative efforts to ensure this regional hub can meet its potential.”
Baltimore County plans to transfer ultimate ownership of the site to the nonprofit Pikesville Armory Foundation to support ongoing efforts to reimagine the site into a community hub.
“The Armory’s redevelopment represents a once in a generation opportunity to provide much-needed community services and to create an exciting venue for arts, recreation, open space, and historic preservation,” said Shelley Morhaim, President of the Board of the Pikesville Armory Foundation. “We look forward continuing our engagement with the entire community to shape the future of the Pikesville Armory.”
Originally built in 1903, the14-acre Pikesville Armory is the second-oldest armory in Maryland and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. The site was decommissioned in 2016 and is a major community redevelopment opportunity.
To date, over $15 million in federal, state, and local funding—including $3 million in Olszewski’ s FY24 budget— has been secured to support the future of the site.
“The transfer of the Armory is a momentous event that will open up new opportunities for the northwest Baltimore County community,” said Director of Planning Steve Lafferty. “We applaud the Foundation’s efforts and tenacity to convert this declining property into an activated community asset. We look forward to working with them to further revitalization efforts in Pikesville.”
Following continued community advocacy from local leaders and residents, Baltimore County has worked with state leaders to facilitate the transfer of ownership from the Maryland Military Department to Baltimore County government for a cost of $1.00.
“I am very excited that the Board of Public Works has given its blessing to the transfer of the Pikesville Armory to the Pikesville Armory Foundation,” said Maryland State Senator Shelley Hettleman. “Many thanks to the county and to thousands of volunteers for their commitment to the redevelopment of this property as an exciting anchor site for recreation, learning, and gathering. I’m very excited to continue working in partnership as we progress on this transformative journey.”
“This is an exciting time as we reach this significant stage in the transformation of Pikesville. Many community leaders along with the business community have dedicated countless hours to make this happen,” said Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka. “The Pikesville Armory will become a local attraction as well as a regional destination. The Armory will be spectacular!”
In the coming months, Baltimore County will work in partnership with the State of Maryland and the nonprofit Pikesville Armory Foundation to finalize these transfers and to coordinate future redevelopment efforts.
Photo by via en.wikipedia
