Slide 1

La Plata Armory

Rose Hill RoadNational Guard and Charles County

Working Together to Protect Our

Future

Slide 2

National Guard

Slide 3

A Valuable Resource

The National Guard is there to help

when disaster strikes at home

• The La Plata tornado 10 years ago

• More recently Hurricane Irene &

Tropical Storm Lee

• They also support military efforts

abroad to protect the US from those

attacking our freedom & way of life

Slide 4

Strong Community Partner

The Army National Guard works with

host communities by providing

access to their facilities for

community events along with a

variety of services and amenities to

support community efforts.

Slide 5

La Plata Armory

Slide 6

La Plata Armory

Slide 7

La Plata Armory

• 23,230 SF facility

• Located on 4 Acres

• Constructed in 1952

• La Plata Readiness Center no

longer meets MDARNG needs

Slide 8

La Plata Armory

• Does not meet force protection

“Stand Off” Requirements

• Restricted from adding additional

space to existing building

• Military Parking Area inadequate for

new equipment

• Inadequate communications

infrastructure for current Army needs

Slide 9

Rose Hill Road

Slide 10

Rose Hill Road

Slide 11

Rose Hill Road

• 20.01 acres of land near intersection

of Hawthorne & Rose Hill Roads

• Deeded to Charles County

Commissioners in December, 2006

by Welch Properties, LLC

• Property cost was $0 with promise to

include (or reference) name of Lee

Welch in future uses of property

Slide 12

Look of New Rose Hill

Road Armory

Recent Armory constructed in Olney, MD;

similar budget as proposed for Rose Hill

Slide 13

Rose Hill Road

Charles County will lease back a

portion of the property for some type

of community use: park & ride, small

playground/park, Veterans Memorial,

etc. are some of the ideas that have

been raised. National Guard has

vowed to be a partner with the

community and they look forward to

being involved!

Slide 14

Future of La Plata Armory

There are many possible options for future

use of the existing facility.

• Some areas have converted them to

recreation or community centers.

• The old Armory in St. Mary’s County has

served as the Leonardtown Library for

many years.

• The State is interested in Park & Ride

options and the County’s VanGO Bus

service may want some space.

Slide 15

Future of La Plata Armory

• The transfer of property, new

Armory construction, and moving

the Guard into new facility will

take at least two years.

• During this time a feasibility study

will be conducted to determine the

best use of the existing Armory

for Charles County.

Slide 16

Fiscal ImpactsThe National Guard is proposing a land swap in

conjunction with the Maryland Department of

General Services (DGS).

• There is a value difference, the existing Armory

site is more valuable than the Rose Hill Road

property.

• DGS and the National Guard will allow the cost

of future improvements by the County to offset

difference; this is similar to what was done in

St. Mary’s County.

Slide 17

Fiscal Impacts

• The construction of a new Armory on

the Rose Hill Road property will create

a positive short term impact on the

County’s economy through the

construction process.

• The continued presence of the Guard

will impact the long term economic

health of the County.

Slide 18

Summary• Maintaining the National Guard presence in Charles

County will benefit the safety and security of the

county and the Southern Maryland Region

• The National Guard has a reputation for being a

good neighbor and having a strong positive

presence in and impact on the community.

• The La Plata Armory will be rehabilitated into a

valuable commodity for Charles County.

• This will be a Win-Win partnership for all.

Slide 19

QUESTIONS

Slide 20

Presented by:

Charles County Government

Department Public WorksBill Shreve, Director

301-609-5601

shreveb@charlescounty.org

www.charlescounty.org

Mission Statement

The mission of Charles County Government is

to provide our citizens the highest quality

service possible in a timely, efficient, and

courteous manner. To achieve this goal, our

government must be operated in an open and

accessible atmosphere, be based on

comprehensive long- and short-term planning,

and have an appropriate managerial

organization tempered by fiscal responsibility.

Vision Statement

Charles County is a place where all people

thrive and businesses grow and prosper;

where the preservation of our heritage and

environment is paramount, where government

services to its citizens are provided at the

highest level of excellence; and where the

quality of life is the best in the nation.