Funds for campus sought in governor's budget

January 12, 2000

By LAURA ERNDE / Staff Writer

photo: JOE CROCETTA / staff photographer

ANNAPOLIS - University System of Maryland officials hope to see $700,000 in planning and design money for the Hagerstown Education Center in Gov. Parris Glendening's 2001 budget next week.

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The university is recommending a total of $12.4 million through 2003.

With everyone in Annapolis abuzz about the possibilities of a $1 billion budget surplus, hopes are high that Hagerstown's project will be included.

Glendening has already made a verbal commitment to the project at the Baldwin House complex in downtown Hagerstown.

He has said one-time education expenses are a good use of the surplus.

He's expected to announce his 2001 spending plan next week.

"At that point, we'll know for certain," said Delegation Chairman Robert A. McKee, R-Washington.

Bob Sweeney, project director of the Hagerstown Education Center, visited with lawmakers Wednesday.

Sweeney said the university expects to get $700,000 in the upcoming budget, which would allow design work to begin this summer.

The university is asking for $10.5 million in construction money in the 2002 budget and $1.2 million for equipment in 2003.

In November, Glendening chose the Baldwin House complex over the objections of university and local officials.

Glendening said it better fits his Smart Growth policy, which encourages downtown redevelopment over urban sprawl.

The city of Hagerstown offered the site for free.

The governor's budget will then go to the Maryland General Assembly, which can subtract but not add to the spending plan.

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