County unveils plans for waterfront projects

Friday, Dec. 4, 2009

Charles County officials have identified three waterfront sites in the county as the strongest possible candidates for capital improvements. In time, Potomac Crossing, Benedict and Marshall Hall could be home to hotels, shops, boardwalks and amenities for day-trip-friendly activities.

But like any plans for development, especially ones that require building in the Chesapeake Bay critical area, the county must first find the funding and community cooperation needed for a goal like this to be reached. Land in the critical area, within 1,000 feet of the bay or a tributary, must go through a special state process before building is allowed.

"Southern Maryland was settled from the water. Charles County was settled from the water. These rivers and streams were conduits of settlement and commerce for literally centuries," said Commissioner Gary V. Hodge (D) during the meeting this week when the sites were identified. "In a sense what this plan is doing is taking us back to the origins of some of these thriving places on the water in our county that have not kept pace with the vibrant economic growth."

The county's Department of Planning and Growth Management and Department of Economic Development presented the commissioners Wednesday with legislative goals and overall timelines for the revitalization and redevelopment of the three locations, which encompass just more than 900 acres of waterfront property.

The recommendations are based on the county's priorities and seven sites highlighted in a 1999 study conducted by the economic development commission.

"We tried to look at what is unique to each area and build the concepts around those characteristics," said Cathy Thompson, community planning program manager.

Thompson said Potomac Crossing — the site of the Aqualand resort — would offer a conference center, some lodging and commercial stores closer to U.S. 301. Because of its location within an existing priority funding area and its close proximity to the highway, the amenities at Aqualand could be very flexible.

"Aqualand has the most potential for economic development. From an economic development point of view not only does this have the most potential for quick action and development but it serves a number of good functions for the economy," said the county's Economic Development Director George Robertson. "One is that very few of our locations have deep enough water for large boats. Aqualand has the draft needed and that certainly lends itself to recreation as a marina."

The concept in Marshall Hall would be to create an interpretive park as a focal point and location for a range of special events, as well as a destination for day cruises and area for a number of pedestrian and equestrian trails.

The U.S. National Park Service owns most of the land at Marshall Hall, said Chuck Beall, planning and growth management director. He said the department has a history of allowing other entities to manage its land and it might be willing to let the county assume some of those responsibilities.

Robertson said Marshall Hall would be a prime location for a water taxi for Southern Maryland commuters to make their way north to Washington, D.C.

Benedict's historical heritage would be a winning characteristic at that location, but because of the various property ownerships this area would be on the long-term end of the timeline. A revitalization master plan similar to what's been done in Hughesville was recommended.

"The growth we're talking about will be limited to some degree," said Commissioner Samuel N. Graves Jr. (D). "We're not moving Atlantic City to Benedict."

Though waterfront residents shouldn't expect bulldozers and site planners in their backyards just yet, the commissioners were on board with moving forward with the recommendations while also being fiscally responsible.

"I think this has the potential to be a tremendous opportunity for the county. I'm glad to see that we have something that is a working document we can begin to move forward on," said Commissioner Reuben B. Collins II (D). "Obviously there are a lot of questions we have to continue to resolve. ... We have been looking forward to seeing something that we could begin reviewing and looking at more critically in terms of preparing for the future."

"It's important that the citizens … understand that we're not having a blank check for all of these projects," said commissioners' Vice President Edith J. Patterson (D). "They in turn will be driven by what public-private partnerships can be created. We're not carte blanche just buying them."

Bealle said the biggest funding source would be through public-private partnerships, and the best way to go about negotiations would be to sit down with each property owner to discuss the opportunities. He said a need for public investment of funds had yet to be seen.

"What the Department of Planning and Growth Management and Department of Economic Development do on a daily basis is facilitate development," Beall said. "What we can do to help these property owners … is get them to the point where their property is more marketable to developers where they may not have the ability to do so."

msomers@somdnews.com