–photo courtesy of Councilman David Marks-
At its meeting on Nov. 22, the Baltimore County Council approved a landmark agreement that allows for the county to acquire the Rutkowski Farm on Raphel Road in Kingsville, and facilitate the moving of a maintenance facility away from residential neighbors and closer to Interstate 95.
Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding, Baltimore County will acquire the 37-acre former Rutkowski Farm, currently owned by the Maryland Transportation Authority and proposed as a maintenance facility.
In return, the county will convey a 25-acre property next to Interstate-95 to the state. The Maryland Transportation Authority will also pay the county $2.7 million.
Baltimore County Councilman David Marks has worked on this “land swap” for eight years.
“This is a splendid example of what is possible when governments work together to get things done,” Councilman Marks commented.
“From the state, I want to thank the Hogan administration and Secretary Jim Ports and staff at the Maryland Transportation Authority for all their work. At the local level, I thank County Executive John Olszewski, County Administrative Officer Stacey Rodgers, and Recreation and Parks Director Rosalyn Johnson and their staff for their dedication to make this possible.”
Senator J.B. Jennings and Delegate Kathy Szeliga and Delegate Lauren Arikan also provided key support.
While much of the land will remain passive, further uses for the property and the adjacent Mount Vista Park still need to be determined.
“We would like to thank Councilman Marks for his dogged pursuit of this land swap, and all the county and state officials who helped make this possible,” added Charlie Wolpoff, the president of the Greater Kingsville Civic Association.
The swap now moves to the Board of Public Works for final approval.
