Governor Ehrlich Announces BPW Approval of Leases Supporting Maritime Center and
NRP Training Academy in Queen Anne’s County
Agreements allow improvements and construction of facilities at Matapeake

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Reaffirming his belief that public-private partnerships are critical to a successful government, Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced Board of Public Works approval of five leases and agreements that will generate revenue for the State of Maryland, facilitate the development of the Matapeake Maritime Center, and produce a new building for the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) Training Academy at Matapeake in Queen Anne’s County.

“The lease agreements approved today will greatly benefit the boating industry and the citizens of Maryland,” said Governor Ehrlich. “The cooperative efforts made by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Queen Anne’s County, and a private company are truly commendable.”

The Board is composed of Governor Ehrlich, Comptroller William Donald Schaefer, and Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp.

Two of the Matapeake items are affected by a November 1996 Board approval that permitted the Department of General Services (DGS) to transfer a 55-acre tract and the former Chesapeake Bay Model Building to Queen Anne’s County. A provision of the Revenue Sharing Agreement made in conjunction with this land transfer stipulates that Queen Anne’s County will pay to the State of Maryland 20 percent of the annual gross revenue generated from the use of the property. Another provision stipulates that all agreements dealing with the economic development and use of the land require Board approval.

The Board approved:

·        A lease between Queen Anne’s County and R.W. Marsh Enterprises that allows the company to operate a maritime center on the above referenced 55 acres of land at Matapeake on Kent Island. The Matapeake Maritime Center will offer services such as marine repair, maintenance, and storage. The 10-year lease with Marsh Enterprises gives the company a unilateral right to renew the lease for two additional 10-year terms. The average annual state share of revenue for the first lease term is estimated to be $41,000.

·        Leasing 1.7 acres of state-owned land managed by DNR to Queen Anne’s County as well as a non-exclusive sublease of this acreage between Marsh Enterprises and the County. This 1.7-acre parcel will provide needed access to the protected harbor at the Matapeake Marine Terminal for the Matapeake Maritime Center, which is being built by Marsh Enterprises on the 55 adjoining acres owned by the County. The sublease will run concurrently with and under the same terms as an existing lease between DNR and the County which became effective on July 1, 1999, which allows the County the use of 20.5 acres to operate the existing Matapeake Park Boat Ramp and Fishing Pier as well as the historic Matapeake Ferry Terminal Building. In return for the subleased 1.7 acres, Marsh Enterprises, at no cost to the State, will:

Ø      Construct a 10,000 square foot building, parking area, and impound lot for use by DNR as a Maritime Training Academy for the Natural Resources Police;

Ø      Continue to dredge portions of the existing marine terminal basin and entrance channel after the initial dredging is completed by DNR later this year;

Ø      Share the cost of installing water and sewer to the terminal facility;

Ø      Maintain DNR's existing travel lift and provide 24-hour video surveillance of the area;

Ø      Construct a replacement bulkhead along with several new piers, commercial boat ramps, and a travel lift well; and

Ø      Haul DNR vessels as necessary.

·        Subleasing 1.85 acres of the Matapeake Maritime Center by Marsh Enterprises, the sublandlord, to DNR, the tenant. This land will serve as the building site for the new Maritime Training Academy and as a location to store equipment and boats essential to the mission of the Natural Resources Police.

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