Hagerstown City Council briefs

December 16, 2008

Council to introduce measure to give financial aid to developers

The Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday voted 3-2 to introduce an ordinance to allocate $350,000 to fund the Upper Floors Redevelopment Revolving Loan Fund.

The money will be used to give financial assistance to developers who are interested in rehabilitating the upper floors of buildings downtown. The funds will be available, among other things, for the installation of elevators, state accessibility-related requirements and fire protection systems.

The money cannot be used to acquire property.

State grants will fund the program.

Alms House moves closer to becoming a landmark

The historic Alms House at 239 N. Locust St. in Hagerstown came one step closer Tuesday to receiving a landmark designation.

The Hagerstown City Council voted 5-0 to introduce an ordinance that would approve the landmark designation for the Alms House, which was built in the late 18th century and served as a hospital during the Civil War.

The landmark designation would require the Hagerstown Historic District Commission to approve exterior work to the house before construction begins.

According to city documents, the city purchased the Alms House in 2004 for $90,000.

The property has been vacant for several years.

Ordinance introduced to purchase bonds to pay for improvements at Wastewater

An ordinance was introduced by the Hagerstown City Council on Tuesday that would authorize the city to issue and sell up to $7.19 million of bonds to help pay for improvements at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The improvements, which are being mandated by the Maryland Department of the Environment, will include an ultraviolet disinfection system, according to city documents.

The ordinance would become effective Jan. 16, 2009.

In other news associated with the City Water Department, the council voted 5-0 to spend $583,887 to purchase chemicals for treating water.

-- Dan Dearth

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