New Funding Supports Preservation Maryland's Historic Property Redevelopment Program

BALTIMORE - March 10, 2021 - PRLog -- Preservation Maryland is the recipient of a generous $500,000 award from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development which will support expansion of the organization's revitalization work in Hagerstown. The award, announced by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan on March 9, 2021, was provided specifically to "stimulate community revitalization in the historically African American Jonathan Street neighborhood." The City of Hagerstown received $325,000 in support of projects in the community – making the total investment of over $825,000 in the community in this funding round.

As a result of this significant increase in support, Preservation Maryland is now in the development stage of several high-profile rehabilitation and revitalization projects in the community which will be announced later in the year.

The organization's work in the Jonathan Street community, which played a significant role in spurring the latest round of state investment, began in 2020 with the purchase of a threatened log cabin constructed in the 1830s. The cabin is currently being rehabilitated to become owner-occupied, single-family affordable housing. The history and archaeology of the cabin was covered by local media, The Washington Post, Smithsonian Magazine, and Maryland Public Television.

In addition to support from the State of Maryland, the Connecticut-based 1772 Foundation also recently provided new funding to Preservation Maryland. The 1772 Foundation plays a leading role in promoting and funding preservation projects around the nation and is backing the Preservation Maryland program with an award of $125,000.

Nicholas A. Redding, President & CEO of Preservation Maryland, explained, "With this generous investment in our revitalization program, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand our work to breathe new life into Maryland's historic communities."

In addition to the Jonathan Street project, Preservation Maryland is also taking on a leading role in a dynamic climate resiliency project at City Dock in Annapolis. The historic Burtis House will be stabilized and elevated by Preservation Maryland as a part of the larger revitalization of City Dock. In 2020, the organization received a $100,000 grant from the Maryland Heritage Area Authority and $75,000 from the State of Maryland to fund the project and is also partnering with the Chesapeake Bay Office of the National Park Service on this effort.

To learn more about Preservation Maryland's Historic Property Redevelopment Program, please visit: www.preservationmaryland.org/programs/historic-property-redevelopment-program/ or contact Nicholas Redding, President & CEO, Preservation Maryland at nredding@presmd.org.