The Maryland Historical Trust recently awarded $9 million in tax credits to six projects restoring historic buildings in the state.
The six buildings include the Wilkins Rogers Mill near Ellicott City, a former tobacco warehouse and an office building in Baltimore City, a home in the Annapolis historic district, and two commercial buildings in Hagerstown.
The Maryland Historical Trust awarded the funds through the Historic Revitalization Tax Credit, which has invested more than $425 million in Maryland rehabilitation projects since it began in 1996.
A report by the Abell Foundation found that the Historic Tax Revitalization Tax Credit program is both culturally and financially beneficial for the state.
The report found that each $1 of tax credits invested yields the state $8.13 in total economic output.
The program also creates a significant amount of jobs, the report found. It has helped to create an estimated 30,000 jobs through construction and new occupation of the buildings.
“Planning supports historic rehabilitation while advancing community revitalization and economic development,” Planning Secretary Rob McCord said in a statement.
“This funding helps encourage preservation and adaptive re-use of historic buildings and enhances the enjoyment of our state’s history, culture, and scenic beauty,” he said.
The Wilkins Rogers Mill, which dates back to 1916, received $3 million. The mill remained in operation until 2020, and was the last active flour mill in the state.
The mill will be transformed into a mixed-use property, with residential apartments, retail space, a restaurant, and a small museum dedicated to the history of the site.
A former tobacco warehouse, constructed by the Becker Bros. of Baltimore in 1875, was awarded $1.75 million.
The three-story warehouse, located three blocks from Gay Street, will be rehabilitated into new commercial space.
Another building in Baltimore City, the Eastern Health District/Huntington Williams Building, received $3 million.
The Eastern Health District was formed in 1932 as a partnership between the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health and the Baltimore City Health Department.
The building, constructed in 1953-1954, will be converted into laboratory and office spaces.
A large house located in the Annapolis historic district was awarded $194,074.
The house will be turned into a boutique hotel with nine suites.
Two commercial buildings located on West Washington Street in Hagerstown also received funding.
The Updegraff Building, which once housed a department store and glove production operation, was awarded $847,957. The building will be converted into apartments with a brewery and restaurant on the ground floor.
The Earles Building, constructed in 1926, was awarded $394,121. The building will be rehabilitated into apartments with a commercial space on the ground floor.
I just wish Baltimore city hadn’t demolished so many historic buildings in the past… The Rennert hotel ( parking lot now ) St Charles hotel next to Walters …now an eyesore senior high rise …
So this what Maryland puts millions of dollars toward? Not climate change or education when students are dropping out and trapping. There’s no money in health or anything relating to our state of health. Maryland is a disgrace.