Approximately thirty* acres of the Spring Grove State Hospital campus (including open space) may be sold by the State of Maryland to a developer who wants to build a 1.4 million square foot shopping, office, hotel, and condominium complex that may include at least one 12-story structure (or higher, the developers' presentations change as his plans evolve), 4,500+ parking places, and ten or more liquor licenses. It is expected to draw thousands of vehicles per day (estimates are 1,500 employees on site, and then there will be the vendors, residents, and shoppers per day). Clearly such a huge development threatens the tranquility of the Catonsville region, including the tranquilty of the mental services residential campus, and at the same time it erases a unique opportunity for state and local officials to create a central and historic park for the region [if indeed the land is declared surplus]. The developer reports that he wants to bring an “urban feel” to Catonsville (see articles in May and June 2006 back issues of Catonsville Times).
Both County Executive Smith and 1st District Councilman Moxley have expressed support of the proposed mega-development on state property (See article in the Baltimore Sun from July 6, 2007). They and other politicians express that their support is based on the developer’s presentations and the contention that folks in Catonsville want publicly owned land to be made available for such a commercial venture. Since the early spring of 2007, when we expressed concern about the development to our politicians, we were told that we were in the minority among members of our community. Although the plan includes some fields or sports facilities, it would be amidst the large development that is planned to include large anchor stores such as Target**. Note that some fields at Spring Grove already exist, and are used regularly by area sports teams. Although some more playing fields may be developed, the trees along the beltway frontage would be replaced by the development. Moreover, the addition of more fields does not require a high density development. Accordingly, if you are opposed to such high density development, now is the time to speak up. If you don’t speak now, the land sale may well go through, and then it will be very difficult if not impossible to prevent this large multi-use shopping complex from being built.
Some folks accuse those of us opposed to commercial development at Spring Grove as being anti-development. Of course, this is incorrect. What we advocate for is thoughtful development - big box stores along existing major business areas such as Route 40 and sections of Route 1; and local businesses that we can support along our main streets. Protecting what little open space remains in Catonsville will serve to enhance our community.
NOTE: A petition was sent to the Governor in April of 2008. The petition effort is ongoing, and is now online (see "Sign our Petition").