News from Councilman David Marks:

After several weeks of discussions with the County Executive’s office, I am pleased to inform you that Towson Manor Village Park has been removed from any consideration for a location for the Towson fire station. I would like to thank the County Executive and his staff, as well as community leaders with whom I have communicated two or three times a week since early December.

I have been happy to work with the Towson Manor Village community on numerous issues, including improvements to Hillen Road and the forthcoming rat eradication sweep, and look forward to continued progress in the future. Again, there will be no fire station at Towson Manor Village Park.

Please see the press release below.

County Councilman David Marks
dmarks@baltimorecountymd.gov

Historic Courthouse
400 Washington Avenue
Towson, MD 21204
(410) 887-3384

 

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ellen Kobler
Office: 410-887-2470
Cell: 410-365-2834
ekobler@baltimorecountymd.gov

 

Solicitations for Sale of County Property Issued

County Executive also announces new site for proposed Towson Fire Station

Towson, MD (January 7, 2013) – Baltimore County formally issued its public solicitations for sale of three parcels of County property, with responses due by April 5, 2013. The Request for Proposal (RFP) process, first announced last month, represents the County’s creative effort to generate funding without the use of taxpayer dollars to rebuild aging police and fire stations as well as needed funds for school renovation projects.

This action continues County Executive Kevin Kamenetz’s efforts to create a government that is innovative, responsible, and efficient while making tough fiscal decisions as the economy moves slowly to recover from a fiscal downturn.

The parcels for sale are:

North Point Government Center
7701 Wise Avenue
Dundalk, MD 21222
http://goo.gl/maps/26vOp

Towson Fire Station and Public Works Facility
800 York Road
Towson, MD 21204
http://goo.gl/maps/AmBXi

Randallstown Police Substation
9113 Liberty Road
Randallstown, MD 21133
http://goo.gl/maps/szsbE

The County expects to take another thirty to sixty days to negotiate the sales beyond the April 5 deadline. If sufficient funds are offered, each sale will be presented to the County Council for approval. If sufficient funds are not offered for a particular property, the County will not proceed with the sale.

“I am delighted that the RFP is now on the street,” said County Executive Kamenetz. “As always, the market will tell us whether or not our valuation of the properties is correct. If we are right, then we will be able to replace a police precinct and a fire station for free at no cost to the taxpayers. We will also be able to dedicate funds for badly needed school renovation projects. Difficult economic times require us to devise new ways of doing business. We have to find creative ways to rebuild our aging infrastructure while protecting taxpayer dollars.”

New Site for Proposed Towson Fire Station

County Executive Kamenetz also announced a new location for a proposed fire station in Towson. The station would be built on the site of the Baltimore County gasoline station that is located at the corner of Towsontown Boulevard and Bosley Avenue. The new location for the station allows the County to retain Towson Manor Park in East Towson for community use.

“I am very pleased that engineers have been able to determine that a new station can be constructed on County property that currently houses the gas pumps for County and State vehicles,” said Kamenetz. “If we are able to move forward with the construction of a new fire station, I am delighted that we will be able leave Towson Manor Park intact. That park is an important amenity for the community and valuable open space in Towson. I appreciate all of the input that I received from community members and Councilman Marks as we worked through this process.”

“I am delighted that the County Executive was able to locate another location for the Towson Fire Station,” said Councilman David Marks. “I have been working closely with the administration and community leaders for weeks, and I am very happy that these private discussions have yielded such great news. Putting the station on the site of the County’s fueling station at Towsontown and Bosley Avenues makes perfect sense. I am very pleased that Towson Manor Park will remain a terrific amenity for our community.”