Harford council supports county transfer of Joppa, Havre de Grace, Aberdeen properties

Though they didn't vote, Harford County Council members seemed supportive Tuesday of Harford County Executive Barry Glassman's requests to declare surplus properties on Water Street in Havre de Grace and Route 7 in Joppa, as well as the former Aberdeen High School building on Route 40.The council held hearings Tuesday night on the proposals. Glassman's administration has been hoping to hand off what was known as the Plecker property, as well as the 600 block of Water Street in Havre de Grace.A third resolution would transfer the former school/community center property in Aberdeen to the city for $1.The 23.1-acre Plecker site in the 800 block of Philadelphia Road was acquired in 2011 to be used as a trash collection and transfer station, which drew outrage from the community.Harford County government is considering all options about disposing of the property, including auctioning it, spokesperson Cindy Mumby said Wednesday.&quot;We are looking for a price close to the appraised value. The county executive does not intend to give the property away,&quot; Mumby said. &quot;We have had some interest in the property but are also willing to hold the property for the right opportunity.&quot;The Water Street site includes two acres near the waterfront and was bought from different owners in two transactions, for a total of $1.7 million, to be used as a public park.Billy Boniface, director of administration for the county, told the council &quot;this goes along with our efforts to see what properties we can surplus.&quot;Council President Richard Slutzky called the Plecker site negotiations &quot;a convoluted and complicated process,&quot; as the county &quot;had to prepare for what the potential was in losing the waste-to-energy plant&quot; that was on Aberdeen Proving Ground.Slutzky also said turning over the Aberdeen High property is &quot;I think an appropriate move&quot; and pointed out the building and land have historical standing, which would put restrictions on what the county can do with it.Aberdeen City Manager Randy Robertson was in the audience for the hearings.He said the city has had &quot;several developers&quot; approach the city administration about the building, and the state has a vision for the Festival Park area near the MARC train station that includes the redevelopment of the old high school building.&quot;We look forward to [Maryland Secretary of Housing & Community Development Kenneth Holt] sharing that vision with us in more detail and the high school will be a large part of that,&quot; Robertson said.Councilman Pat Vincenti, a Havre de Grace native who represents the Aberdeen and Churchville areas, said the Water Street transfer &quot;is a fantastic opportunity for the city of Havre de Grace.&quot;He noted it is probably the last piece of open waterfront property and &quot;there is no doubt in my mind that this is the key to the development of the northern part of Havre de Grace.&quot;Councilman Curtis Beulah echoed the sentiment and said &quot;it benefits Havre de Grace, the county, and it's just a good move all the way around.&quot;

Harford council supports county transfer of Joppa, Havre de Grace, Aberdeen properties

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