6-1-07 The state Department of Natural Resources has offered to purchase Belmont and Dobbin using about $5 million of state funds while allowing the college to run the facility. This would enable the college to keep the $2.2 million that it has raised from donations, and it would allow the college to keep the $2.2 million that the county has budgeted. The college would also have the $566,000 allocated for debt repayment that they could use. All totaled, the college could have Belmont to run and get $5 million dollars to spent on some other needed project at the college.

However, the college does not seem to be interested in getting the state’s $5 million. They testified that they didn’t want any DNR oversight (despite the fact that they are surrounded by state park and what happens at Belmont will directly affect the park). And shortly after the budget was approved, the new college president said, “this was the first year we didn't get a full compliment of capital funding”, yet they aren’t availing themselves of what the state is offering. Two projects that they have delayed are the funding of a new Medical Careers Building that will house rapidly growing health majors and the renovations of the Clark Library whose electrical system (that includes the college’s main computer, telecommunications and networking systems) needs a critical overhaul.

Save Belmont questions the priorities of the college that would place the funding of Belmont above these two critical projects.

Capital Budget update – amendments to the funding for the college to purchase Belmont:

Four members of the county council (Council Members Ball, Fox, Sigaty and Terasa) voted against these basic, due-diligence proposals:

1. Requiring an appraisal of Belmont to be sure more than the appraised value was not paid by the taxpayers.

2. A provision that would have returned money to Howard County Government if HCC sold the land, sold any part of the land, or leased the land for a nonpublic purpose.

3. A provision that would have required HCC to provide a business plan and proforma financials as a condition of the funding.

4. A provision requiring the $2.2 million of debt service to be placed in escrow before Howard County funds were appropriated. <

All members supported:

1. MHT easement language being incorporated in the deed and the transfer of title being a condition of the appropriation.

2. First right of refusal for Howard County government.

5-15-07 DNR has proposed the use of stateside Program Open Space monies to purchase entirely the Belmont and Dobbin properties. Unlike last year's proposal that used a different funding source, this proposal would not require active recreation facilities. The college could enter into a longterm lease of the property and continue running it as a retreat center and as a training facility for their students. The County Council requested to have the offer in writing. Click here to see DNR's letter

This funding would allow the county to put $2.2 million towards another worthwhile project, or use it to lower taxes. The college would get to use the $2.2 million from private donations to help pay off the $4 million dollars of debt from the building of the Horowitz Center that students are paying $3/credit hour to pay off. Everybody has to give a little, but there is also something for everybody in this scenerio. It is the fairest solution available.

4-26-07 The county council at their public hearing heard several hours of testimony concerning Belmont. Representatives from the hospitality industry, some business leaders and college representatives spoke in favor of the funding. However, no civic, environmental, or historic preservation group supported the funding for the college to purchase Belmont. Groups that expressed concern in person or in writing about the funding included the Maryland Environmental Trust, Howard County Citizen's Association, the League of Women Voters, Preservation Howard County, the Howard County Historical Society, Greater Elkridge Community Association, the Friends of the Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway, Inc., the Howard County Bird Club as well as members of the Rockburn Land Trust.

4-2-07 Despite widespread concern from community groups and a vote for no funding from the Howard County Planning Board, the County Executive has proposed funding $5 million dollars for the college to purchase Belmont and begin renovations and additions as part of their $34 million expansion plan -- approved by the College Board just two months ago. Click here to see the plan

3-4-07 Planning board unanimously votes for "No Funding" for Howard Community College purchase of Belmont. "the Board is uncertain as to how Belmont fits into HCC's Master Plan..." and "Allowing Belmont to operate as a government use and as a matter of right evades such conditions already established through previous zoning decisions. It disrupts the balance between property's historic value and the adjacent comunities. Allowing this classification...would permit expansion at will without consideration fo the impact and intensity of use on surrounding communities." For full text click here.