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Department of Housing and Community Development

MD Adds 4 New Sustainable Communities, Including the Hometown of Baseball Great Jimmie Foxx

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Jimmie Foxx

New Carrollton, MD – The historic town of Sudlersville, birthplace of baseball Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx, this month became one of four new sustainable communities in Maryland, joining the initiative to strengthen reinvestment and revitalize traditional neighborhoods throughout the state.

Greater Riverdale, Perryville and Hurlock also became sustainable communities, bringing the statewide total to 86. There is at least one designated sustainable community in each of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City.

Maryland’s award-winning program seeks to preserve the unique local character of each sustainable community and stimulate investment by building strong state, local and private sector partnerships. The program is an important component of Governor Hogan’s mission to change Maryland’s economy for the better, create jobs and improve the quality of life for Maryland citizens.

The program has a far-reaching impact.

For example, families seeking to buy a home in a sustainable community can take advantage of the special rates and significant down payment assistance through Maryland Mortgage Program products such as  “You’ve Earned It!”

Business owners may qualify for programs such as Neighborhood BusinessWorks that helps them obtain the capital they need to innovate and grow.

Localities can qualify for resources to make streetscape upgrades and other civic improvements so that their community is more attractive to residents, visitors and potential businesses. Learn more about the Sustainable Communities program.

Queen Anne’s County – Town of Sudlersville

Baseball fans remember Jimmie Foxx as the slugging first baseman who hit 534 homeruns for teams such as the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Athletics over a 20-year career. Movie fans might remember the exasperated manager portrayed by Tom Hanks in the movie “A League of Their Own,” in a role largely based on Foxx’s experiences in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League near the end of his career. A handsome statue to the ex-major leaguer stands downtown.

The town’s heritage is further commemorated in displays  at the Sudlersville Train Station Museum. In its Sustainable Communities Action Plan, Sudlersville said it will improve community facilities such as the library and train museum and offer historic walking tours. The town is considering the rehabilitation of an abandoned building that could be used as a community center and rental housing for r veterans. Additionally, the town hopes to increase its customer base through façade and streetscape improvements downtown.

Prince George’s County – Greater Riverdale

The Greater Riverdale Sustainable Community Area encompasses the Town of Riverdale Park and unincorporated areas of Prince George’s County, connecting other Sustainable Communities in the county including Port Towns, College Park, Hyattsville and New Carrollton. It is also a Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative area, one of six neighborhoods targeted by the county for additional investment to improve quality of life. With proximity to employers at M Square, the University of Maryland’s Research Park, Greater Riverdale plans to increase opportunities for employees to live near their work, as well as promote homeownership through the Maryland Mortgage Program and My Home II programs. Greater Riverdale aims to improve pedestrian and bike connectivity throughout the area, by improving sidewalks and streetscapes, street lighting, and adding traffic calming. On jobs and the economy, Greater Riverdale will continue the Town of Riverdale’s façade and sign improvement program, making the area more attractive to residents and visitors.

Cecil County – Town of Perryville

Boasting assets such as a MARC-Penn Line Station, the Hollywood Casino and the Perry Point Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Town of Perryville is in a good position to encourage transit-oriented development opportunities.  Its prime location along the Susquehanna River and at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay allows the town to utilize and improve waterfront areas and parks and Greenway trails that are important to the heritage of the community. Plans for an improved municipal complex adding a police facility, added parking and a public park across from the MARC station will attract commuters and visitors and serve residents. The establishment of commercial revitalization programs aims to help with the attraction and retention of small businesses, especially in the Olde Town area of Perryville.  To attract more visitors to the area, the town is planning streetscape improvements, restoration of the historic Rogers Tavern and to increase events in community parks.

Dorchester County – Town of Hurlock

Located on the Eastern Shore, Hurlock has its roots as a great railroad community, and remains an important commercial hub today. Its industrial park and designation as a State Enterprise Zone provides jobs to people in neighboring Dorchester County and Delaware. The town is known for its Hurlock Fall Festival, which features an excursion train to Federalsburg. As a designated Sustainable Community, Hurlock is planning to extend the Hurlock Express train to Preston to the north and increase the use of its historic train station. To aid with downtown development, Hurlock aims to improve streetscape and lighting and develop incentives for small businesses. The town is planning to create recreational opportunities including a large park, as well as establish a housing rehabilitation assistance program to promote residential revitalization.

DHCD Benefits to Sustainable Communities

– MMP You’ve Earned It

– Community Legacy

– Strategic Demolition and Smart Growth Impact Fund

– Neighborhood Business Works

– Maryland Main Street (in addition to the SC designation, there are other requirements to participate in the Main Street program – the SC designation is a Maryland requirement)

– Low Income Housing Tax Credit (offers bonus points on applications to projects located in a Sustainable Community)

– Baltimore Regional Neighborhoods Initiative (only available to specific non-profits in Baltimore City — not applicable to entire state)