renovation

• Howard County

Watershed project under way at stormwater pond in Ellicott City

Howard County's Watershed Protection and Restoration Program is launching a project to repair a stormwater pond on Old Mill Road in the vicinity of Millwick Drive in Ellicott City. The project will include replacement of the pond's metal principal spillway with a new concrete spillway.

• Opinion

Kamenetz trumps Dance on Towson-area overcrowding [Editorial]

County Executive Kevin Kamenetz is on the side of the taxpayers — and good sense — in nixing Superintendent Dallas Dance's convoluted school construction plan.

• Schools

Kamenetz rejects school system's plans to renovate several schools

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz is proposing a new, 700-seat elementary school near the center of Towson, rejecting the school system's plans for renovations to several other schools.

• Baltimore County

Towson U. announces lights off table for field renovation plan

A week after a contentious meeting with next-door Rodgers Forge residents, Towson University officials have canceled plans for an electric conduit as part of planned renovations to the university's softball field. The conduit would have allowed lighting to be installed at a later date.

• Howard County

Columbia Association breaks ground on Haven on the Lake

The Columbia Association broke ground Wednesday morning on a $4 million lakefront, wellness retreat to be built on the ground floor of the Rouse Co. building in downtown Columbia.

• News

Angling for the benefits of oyster restoration

The Tred Avon is targeted for a $14.3 million oyster restoration effort, jointly underwritten by Maryland and the federal government, to begin later this year. NOAA has been fishing the river monthly from spring through fall since last year to see how many fish and crabs also hang out in the water near Oxford.

• Laurel Leader

Library officials show off Savage Branch's $6.1M makeover

The Savage Branch of the Howard County Public Library is once again set to become an open book after an extensive renovation designed to modernize the aging facility and highlight a science and technology theme.

• Howard County

Gardner set to take helm of Howard police department

• Harford

Havre de Grace opera house has intriguing past, hopeful future

They say it ain't over until the fat lady sings, and the colorful life of the Havre de Grace Opera House is clearly far from over.

• Howard County

Howard Hughes, Arts Commission sign Merriweather deal

The current owner and future owner of Merriweather Post Pavilion announced this week the two sides have signed a joint development agreement for the venue – a move that officials say signifies a major step toward achieving a $19 million renovation plan.

• Environment

New bay restoration pact signed

Government officials involved in the multistate Chesapeake Bay cleanup pledged Monday to broaden and accelerate the long-running effort, including a vow to address the impacts of climate change on the ailing estuary.

• Renovation

Merriweather renovation plans revealed before Jack Johnson concert

Howard County Executive Ken Ulman, with a little help from renowed singer Jack Johnson, revealed details of long awaited renovation plans Thursday for Columbia's Merriweather Post Pavilion.

• Baltimore City Paper

Public Works Museum Closes

• Baltimore City Paper

Legislators Urge Rawlings-Blake to Get the Lead Out

• Baltimore City

Residents of 26th Street to return this week

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said Sunday that residents who live along the city block in Charles Village that collapsed during heavy rains in April will return to their homes this week.

• Howard County

Howard Council adopts FY15 budget, including Merriweather fixes

The Howard County Council on Wednesday passed capital and operating budgets for fiscal year 2015 that together totaled about $1.29 billion and provided funding for a plan that will accelerate the renovation and hand-over of Columbia¿s Merriweather Post Pavilion

• Howard County

Ulman, Howard Hughes reveal renovation plan for Merriweather

Howard County government and Howard Hughes Corp., the primary land owner in downtown Columbia, have agreed to terms of a deal that will bring $19 million in renovations and upgrades to Merriweather Post Pavilion over the next five years.

• Environment

Potomac River marina stirs concern for oysters

With oysters showing signs of revival in the Chesapeake Bay, some are trying to bring the bivalves back in the bay's second largest tributary, the Potomac River.

• Baltimore County

Officials ask Dance not to demolish but renovate Loch Raven school

Towson area state and local officials have written to Baltimore County Public Schools Superintendent Dallas Dance asking for assurances that the Loch Raven Elementary School building, which operates as a community center, will not be demolished make room for a new school.

• Wetlands

Volunteers help clean up Fort McHenry Wetland while organizers talk Chesapeake restoration

To combat pollution plaguing the marsh habitat, about 250 volunteers picked up trash, dredged debris, planted trees and tended the wetland's gardens Saturday as part of a cleanup event hosted by the aquarium and the National Parks Conservation Association.

• Harford

Renovations, equipment headed to Bel Air under proposed FY 2015 budget

The proposed $15.8 million FY 2015 budget includes several substantial public works renovation projects said Randy Robertson, Bel Air's director of public works, during a work session Tuesday evening.

• Harford

Harford County attractions funded by General Assembly, but not fully

But many of the local attractions including Ladew Topiary Gardens, the Maritime Museum and the Havre de Grace Opera House only received partial funding from General Assembly.

• Environment

MDE faulted for lead-paint follow-up

The Maryland Department of the Environment has not followed up on at least 900 rental housing units with hazardous lead paint whose owners failed to maintain annual registration with the agency, state auditors have found.

• Baltimore City

Crittenton mansion exterior renovations approved by city's preservation board

The Baltimore City Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation on Tuesday approved a developer's exterior renovation plans for the conversion of an historic former home for unwed mothers into apartments.

• Harford

Crunch time comes for Harford legislation in Annapolis

It's seven days and counting until the 2014 session of the Maryland General Assembly ends at midnight Monday, and the fates of a number of Harford County centered bills remain to be decided in those waning days.

• Howard County

Howard Hughes, county talk Merriweather upgrades

Howard Hughes Corp., Howard County in discussion about upgrades for Merriweather

• Baltimore City

Washington Monument restoration changes atmosphere of Mount Vernon neighborhood

Some Mount Vernon residents are concerned about the impact of the restoration of the Washington Monument.

• Features

10 hidden dangers at home

From loose carpets to lead paint, your house can be hazardous to your health

• Harford

$450K state grant approved for Ripken Stadium

The City of Aberdeen was approved a $450,000 grant by the Maryland Board of Public Works during a meeting Wednesday to make upgrades to Ripken Stadium.

• Baltimore County

$40M Pikesville High School renovation set to begin in July

Pikesville High School undergoes major renovation that will include installation of air conditioning

• Baltimore City

Hearing on plan to sell Baltimore's public housing draws concerns

The Baltimore Housing Authority's plan to sell 22 of its 28 apartment and townhouse complexes drew dozens of concerned tenants and workers Wednesday to a City Council committee hearing.

• Baltimore City

State awards firm $4.8 million contract to finalize central Pratt Library renovation plans

Maryland legislators on Wednesday allocated $4.8 million to complete the renovation design plans for Baltimore's Enoch Pratt Central Library.

• Anne Arundel

Ballet Theatre stretches its wings with ambitious 'Swan Lake'

Ballet Theatre of Maryland is starting its 2014 season in history-making fashion, offering its first full-length production of "Swan Lake," in three performances over the Feb. 21-23 weekend at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.

• Howard County

Ulman pressures developer on Merriweather renovations

In an effort to jump start Howard Hughes Corp.'s anticipated redevelopment of Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Howard County Executive Ken Ulman has levied a call to action to the developer, which he feels has shown a "lack of urgency" toward its promise to makeover the downtown concert venue.

• Howard County

Howard school board approves Patuxent Valley renovation plans

The Howard County Board of Education approves schematic design plans for Patuxent Valley Middle School, the first step toward renovations at the 25-year-old school.

• Obituaries

Ron Spencer, 67, artist

Ron Spencer, an artist who twice restored the painted designs on a Linthicum Heights church's ceiling and walls, died Wednesday of bone cancer at Stella Maris in Timonium. He was 67.

• Baltimore City

Monument restoration crews make 200-year-old discovery

Who exactly J.W. Hogg was and what, if any, contribution he made to Baltimore's Washington Monument may be a question left for the ages. Hogg's name, written in block letters with a pencil next to the date 1829, was among dozens of 19th-century signatures and drawings discovered this week by a restoration crew using hand tools to delicately remove loose plaster from the monument's subterranean vaults.

• Maryland

Monument restoration crews make 200-year-old discovery

Who exactly J.W. Hogg was and what, if any, contribution he made to Baltimore's Washington Monument may be a question left for the ages. Hogg's name, written in block letters with a pencil next to the date 1829, was among dozens of 19th-century signatures and drawings discovered this week by a restoration crew using hand tools to delicately remove loose plaster from the monument's subterranean vaults.

• Anne Arundel

$18M renovation taking center stage at Maryland Hall

The Maryland Hall is starting an $18 million renovation project.

• Harford

Aberdeen's historic B&O station moves slowly toward restoration

Aberdeen's long-dilapidated historic train station might finally be moving forward with a new foundation, the Historical Society of Harford County said.

• Carroll County Times

Mount Airy library to close for one month

The Mount Airy Branch Library will close for a month beginning in mid-February as it undergoes interior renovations.

• Property

Restoration Hardware distribution center in Cecil County sells for more than $74 million

A 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse in Cecil County leased to Restoration Hardware sold last month between $74 and $75 million, the latest sign of strength in the area's industrial market, Cushman & Wakefield of Maryland said Monday.

• Politics and Government

Five city projects receive historic tax credits

A century-old Station North movie theater, an East Baltimore church and two downtown office towers are among the renovation projects selected for financing next year under Maryland's historic preservation tax credit program.

• High School sports

Winters Mill wrestling wins 11 straight matches to take down No. 11 Owings Mills

Thursday's wrestling match was a good measuring stick for Winters Mill and host Owings Mills. For one, it was a step in the right direction. For another, maybe a little hiccup.

• Harford

Water service restored after line break in Joppatowne Thursday

Harford County crews restored water service to five Joppatowne homes that were without water for five hours Thursday afternoon and evening, following a water main break, as temperatures dipped into the 20s.

• Environment

Florida shells to help revive MD's oysters

Some long-gone oysters from prehistoric times are going to play a role in restoring the Chesapeake Bay's current crop of bivalves. Maryland has purchased 112,500 tons of fossilized oyster shells for $6.3 million from a quarry in Florida to help rebuild the state's degraded oyster beds.

• Features

Cross Keys at the crossroads

Storied shopping area in transition

• Baltimore City Paper

New cases could make it harder to hold landlords accountable

• Arts and Culture

Longtime Maryland lobbyist fined $10,000 for lead paint violations

High-profile Maryland lobbyist Bruce Bereano was fined $10,000 in October for a lead paint violation in two Annapolis rowhouses he owns, the Department of the Environment announced Thursday.

• Harford

Perryville Elementary to undergo $18.7 million renovation

Perryville Elementary School