LT. GOVERNOR BROWN HIGHLIGHTS 2013 CAPITAL AREA COMMUNITY LEGACY FUNDING RECIPIENTS

LT. GOVERNOR BROWN HIGHLIGHTS 2013 CAPITAL AREA COMMUNITY LEGACY FUNDING RECIPIENTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      
 
CONTACT:        
Dori Henry - Lt. Governor’s Office
Office: 410-260-3888
Cell: 410-504-3667

Erlene Wilson - DHCD
Cell: (410) 514-7704
 

LT. GOVERNOR BROWN HIGHLIGHTS 2013

CAPITAL AREA COMMUNITY LEGACY

FUNDING RECIPIENTS

More than $1.6 million in assistance awarded to

eight municipalities and organizations

HYATTSVILLE, Md. (November 30, 2012) – Today, Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown congratulated capital area awardees whose projects will benefit from approximately $1.6 million in Community Legacy program awards and celebrated the investments’ future impact in the awardees’ communities. He was joined by Secretary Raymond A. Skinner of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the state agency that manages the Community Legacy program, along with local officials and several representatives of nonprofit and community development organizations around Maryland.

"The Community Legacy program is a great example of what’s possible when the state, county and local governments work in partnership with community groups to move projects forward to promote economic growth and revitalize our communities," said Lt. Governor Anthony Brown. "As we look to the future, I look forward to continuing our efforts here, and remaining committed to building strong communities in the capital area and across Maryland."

The goal of Community Legacy is to provide local governments and community development organizations with funding for essential projects aimed at strengthening communities through activities such as retaining and attracting businesses and encouraging homeownership and commercial revitalization.

This year’s grants, totaling $5.5 million statewide, will benefit a total of 58 projects in 19 counties and Baltimore City.  Nine capital area projects in Prince George’s, Montgomery and Calvert counties received awards totaling $1,615,000.  Projects include but are not limited to streetscape enhancements, the rehabilitation of blighted residential and commercial properties and energy efficiency initiatives. A detailed list of area awards is attached.
 
“Community Legacy allows for the creation of public private partnerships to transform neighborhoods throughout our state,” said Secretary Skinner. “Our investment results in the creation of jobs and the forward movement of local economic development initiatives efforts which benefit whole communities.”
 
Today’s event was held at the Busboys and Poets restaurant located in the revitalized Arts District Hyattsville. Once a dreary stretch of Route 1, the Arts District is now a bustling hub of activity thanks to a commercial redevelopment effort that began in 2008.  The addition of an array of shops, restaurants and galleries resulted in an increase of visitors to the area and has heightened the need for additional parking.  The City of Hyattsville plans to use its Community Legacy funding for the demolition of existing blighted properties for the creation of public parking facilities.