Updates about specific properties, land use changes, and available spaces

Site Work Has Begun!

Site work has officially begun at Bainbridge! Yesterday, crews began initial clearing on the 422 acre Phase 1 development parcel. The photos attached show the conditions at the start and end of Day 1. The BDC Board will be providing a full update at their Annual Meeting scheduled for October 19, 2020. Please check BDC social media pages and website for meeting details (to be held virtually)!

BDC Sending Warning to Those Who May Trespass at Historic Tome School Property

PORT DEPOSIT — The Bainbridge Development Corporation is getting the word out to those who may be considering coming onto the private property without permission.

Look for Shovels in the Ground for Bainbridge Soon

PORT DEPOSIT — Almost a year after their last presentation to the mayor and town council, members of the Bainbridge Development Corporation reported that ground could be broken on the former naval training base soon.

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Reward Being Offered in Conjunction with Tome Inn Fire

The Bainbridge Development Corporation (BDC) is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the fire that occurred on May 6, 2020 at the former Historic Tome School Inn, on the Bainbridge property located in Port Deposit, Maryland.

The BDC has been working closely with the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office on the arson investigation and strongly encourages individuals with any pertinent information to contact the Maryland Arson Hotline at 800-492-7529. All tips are kept confidential and are immediately relayed to investigators.

At its May 18th meeting, the BDC Board updated the action plan with immediate steps to enhance security measures stressing the importance of safety and security on the Tome Campus. This plan was created with input from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Maryland Historic Trust.

The BDC remains strong in its commitment to maintain and redevelop the Tome School Campus.

Any questions can be directed to Toni Sprenkle, BDC Project Coordinator, at 410-378-9200 or Tsprenkle@bainbridgedev.org

BDC Comment on Fire at Tome School

Contact: Toni Sprenkle
Bainbridge Developm
nt Corporation
748 Jacob Tome Highway
410-378-9200
tsprenkle@bainbridgedev.org

The Bainbridge Development Corporation (BDC) regretfully confirms a fire at the Tome Inn on the Historic Tome School for Boys Campus. A local citizen reported smoke coming from the former Naval Training Center at Bainbridge at 11:34 a.m. on Wednesday morning, May 6, 2020. Through the efforts of the members of the Water Witch Volunteer Fire Company and numerous other local volunteer fire companies’ representatives, the fire was contained and did not spread to other areas of the property. One firefighter was taken for evaluation after feeling ill. He was treated and released. The cause and origin of the fire remain under investigation by the Maryland State Fire Marshall Office.

Tome School is part of the former Naval Training Site that is currently in the process of redevelopment. The 1200 acre site is within the town limits of Port Deposit. It is regrettable that this building has been severely damaged. The extent of the damage is still undetermined.

This is an unfortunate loss to the Town of Port Deposit and Cecil County. The BDC remains dedicated to preserving, maintaining, protecting and restoring to the degree possible the Historic Tome School. The Tome School Campus remains closed to the public and any trespassers caught on the property will be turned over to the authorities.

We ask anyone with any information about this fire to report via one of the contact methods listed below:

  • Maryland Arson Hotline 800-492-7529
  • Northeast Office of Maryland State Fire Marshal 410-836-4844
  • Metro Crime Stoppers 866-756-2587 (866-7LOCKUP)

County, State Officials Optimistic About Bainbridge Development

“PORT DEPOSIT — Following the recent news that Amazon will open a facility in Cecil County, county and state officials say that there’s more buzz surrounding the possible development of the long-dormant Bainbridge property.

Officials were quick to note, however, that the site of the former U.S. Navy training center still requires significant investment in infrastructure and environmental remediation to be viable. County officials also did not outright dismiss a tax increase to pay for the costs, which are estimated to be at least $10 million…”

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BDC Receives Federal Grant from the United States Department of Defense for $1million dollars

The BDC is pleased to announce it has received an award of $1,000,000 from the Department of Defense’ Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) to fund a project to aid in the redevelopment of the former Naval Training Center at Bainbridge (NTCB).

The public was notified in 2008 of the environmental contamination on-site, which has placed hurdles on future development. The general development plan approved in 2005 to create a mixed use community was prepared before knowledge of the contamination.

Additional soil sampling and analysis is necessary in order to understand the potential risks of contamination, determine an appropriate remedial strategy, and reanalyze the development plan. Project tasks include a site characterization, risk assessment, remedial strategy, reuse plan, market analysis and data map. The grant term is September 1, 2016 through August 30, 2017.

In addition to the grant award, the BDC has had other significant events take place during this calendar year, including the completion of the NTCB 5-Year Review, increased prospect interest, and the completion of the Tome School Feasibility Study. The development team, MTPM, has also completed a data center study and conducted geologic investigations to aide in the location and development of specific land uses. Political engagement and involvement in Bainbridge at all levels has experienced tremendous support.

While Bainbridge was selected as a top contender for a manufacturing facility which could have created approximately 135 jobs and $145M in capital investment, the Bainbridge site was not selected due to lack of adequate available infrastructure. The Bainbridge property continues to receive interest from prospects, and it is our priority to work with the appropriate stakeholders to ensure adequate available wastewater.

A feasibility study was completed in July for the Historic Tome School, funded in part through USDA, which reported significant challenges for its redevelopment prospects.

Any questions can be directed to Donna Tapley or Toni Lozzi at 410-378-9200.

MEETING RESCHEDULED: BDC to Unveil Tome School Report at Town Meeting

UPDATE, AUGUST 31, 3016:

The BDC presentation of the Tome School Strategic Plan Report has been rescheduled for September 20, 2016 at the Port Deposit Town Council Meeting. Once presented, the report will be avaialble publically via the “Documents” tab on the BDC website.

UPDATE, AUGUST 16, 2016:

The August 16th Town Council meeting was cancelled. The Tome School report will released during the next open public session. Once presented to the Town Council the BDC will publically release and post the report on our website.

AUGUST 8, 2016:

The BDC, in partnership with Weston Solutions and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant Program, has completed their opportunities and constraints analysis and will be publicly unveiling the Tome School Feasibility Study at the Port Deposit Town Meeting on Tuesday August 16th. This will be the first public sharing of the report.

The opportunities and constraints analysis was a detailed investigation and analysis of the economic, market and real estate data of the region, weighed with the unique opportunities and constraints at the National Historic Tome School (geography, location, environment, historic easement, etc.) to determine the highest and best use of the campus and the buildings.

Mattix on Matters

As published in the Cecil Whig, March 29, 2016…

“Toni Lozzi, project coordinator for the Bainbridge Development Corporation, recently announced a monthly schedule of free bus tours of the Tome School property adjacent to the former U.S. Naval Training facility at Bainbridge starting April 9 and running through August 20.

Each tour will begin at the Tome Highway entrance to Bainbridge at 11:30 a.m., with gates opening at 11:20 a.m.

Anyone interested can join, but space is limited. The BDC started providing these tours last year and they have become popular, according to Lozzi. Participants are allowed to take photographs while on the tour.

Tour dates are: April 9, May 14, June 11, July 23 and Aug. 20.

The tour scheduled for May 14 will be run in conjunction with Port Deposit’s first “Land and Sea Outdoor Market” in Marina Park from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. and an open house at Tome’s Landing.

For more information, call Lozzi at 410-378-9200.”

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Tome School Tours Kick-Off in April

The BDC has decided to continue to host tours of the National Historic Tome School this spring and summer. Tours are set to begin in April with the first tour date scheduled for April 9th at 11:30 AM. There is no charge for the tour and they are open to any and all individuals. These tours consist of a bus ride around the Tome School campus with various stops for participants to exit the bus and gain a closer look at the granite structures. Photography is allowed but no access to any building or structure is permitted. All participants will be asked to sign a standard liability waiver and policies document, both of which are provided below. The tours are filled on a first come first serve basis, and if/when the bus fills, no more participants would be provided access. In order to keep the tour free of cost, that requires all details to be organized and executed by the BDC, thus the need to limit the amount of individuals who can attend. It is strongly suggested that you wear appropriate clothing for the walking tour of jeans/pants and a t-shirt with sneakers or hiking shoes of some kind. Dresses, skirts, shorts, sandals, heeled shoes or open toes shoes are not recommended. Individuals with inappropriate clothing for the walking tour may be asked to stay on the bus for safety reasons.

Tour Dates for 2016 (all dates will have a start time of 11:30AM, and projected end time of 12:30 PM)

  • April 9
  • May 14
  • June 11
  • July 23
  • August 20