Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman joined Gov. Wes Moore and Treasurer Dereck Davis at Wednesday’s Board of Public Works meeting to approve nearly $291 million for 94 initiatives and projects throughout Maryland.

 

The Board of Public Works approved a $58.5 million payment to State Center, LLC to settle all claims in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City related to the State Center redevelopment project axed by the previous administration.

 

Comptroller Lierman emphasized the value of the complex location, expressing her support for closing this chapter and the ability to move forward in a new way that will benefit Baltimore City residents and the State of Maryland. She asked Attorney General Anthony Brown to clarify for the record that the proposed settlement limits the state’s exposure and saves taxpayers from incurring additional legal costs, fees, and time associated with litigation.

 

“I think the importance of this piece of real estate to Baltimore and to the entire region gets lost and has been lost in the back and forth,” Comptroller Lierman said. “All Marylanders will benefit as Baltimore grows more prosperous and thriving, and that just can’t happen with a State Center that is not redeveloped.” Comptroller Lierman said the settlement will allow the state to move into a new phase “to build something beautiful, prosperous, and thriving in Baltimore.”

 

A representative from the Mayor’s Office also attended the meeting and thanked the Board of Public Works for their decision.

 

The Board of Public Works unanimously approved a tidal wetlands license for U.S. Wind, Inc. to construct a pier and replace a bulkhead. Nearly twenty stakeholders shared remarks both in support and in opposition to the proposed license. Comptroller Lierman explained to people gathered for the meeting in-person and online that there are factors the Board of Public Works is not allowed to consider outside of the proposed activity’s impact on state wetlands and noted that the property is a privately owned pier used for commercial purposes.

 

In her opening remarks, Comptroller Lierman noted the recent passing of two notable Marylanders: Glenn Middleton, who was the Executive Director of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 67 and President of AFSCME Local 44, and Mary Pat Clarke, who was the first woman to serve as Baltimore City president and advocate for the people she represented.

 

“Glenn Middelton was a champion for workers, a champion for the city an incredible leader for decades of workers’ rights, of government and personally, was a good friend to me and to my father. My condolences to his wife and to his whole family.”

 

Comptroller Lierman described the late Mary Pat Clark, a former Baltimore City council member and first woman to serve as city council president, as a champion for Baltimore neighborhoods and for the people of Baltimore, saying, “she was always there representing her constituents. Also, an incredible mentor who helped to build a new generation of city leaders,” Comptroller Lierman shared. “I think we are all her legacy.”

 

In all, the BPW approved 94 items, representing a total State expenditure of $290,894,970.25. A comprehensive list of items approved are as follows:

 

• Grant agreements for 15 recipients for 15 projects located in 9 counties and Baltimore City with a total value of $23,896,729.
• 11 items awarding $11,990,529.13 to prime certified small business primes
• 9 items awarding $8,710,490.48 to certified minority business enterprise primes
• 2 items awarding $3,192,676.19 to Employment Works Program providers

• 9 items awarded with established participation goals for minority business enterprises
• 2 items awarded with established participation goals for veteran-owned small business enterprises

 

The next meeting of the Board of Public Works is Wednesday, December 4, 2024.