* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Mitchell
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Informational Hearing - BRAC Readiness
FOR the purpose of requesting the Director of the Department of Transportation, the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Director of Planning, and the Chair of the Baltimore Development Corporation to brief the Council on what steps are being taken to prepare Baltimore City for the influx of military and defense personnel that will be coming to the Baltimore region as a result of the decisions by the Base Realignment and Closure Committee.
Body
Recitals
According to recent reports, the Base Realignment and Closure plan could bring as many as 40,000 jobs to Maryland as a result of expansions at Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County and the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County. According to business and government officials, Baltimore City could play a significant role in the BRAC process due to its housing, public transit, and cultural amenities.
This is of paramount importance because not only are the bases adding military personnel, but BRAC also reports additions to the ancillary civilian population as a result of the base consolidations. Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Harford County is adding a total of 9,154 military, civilian and embedded contractors to their facility. This implies an additional gain of 15,562 household members coming to the area. In addition, Fort Meade is adding an estimated 8,717 to 10,717 additional personnel. Their personnel would bring an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 household members with them.
With this population growth to our immediate surroundings, the City must be sure that our current infrastructure is ready. While part of the burden of major issues like housing and transit will be felt directly by neighboring jurisdictions, Baltimore City will as a matter of course will feel the implications of a population growth spurt of nearly 50,000. One recent analysis by area economist Aniran Basu noted that given the "anti-growth" sentiment, as well as other issues in our surrounding suburbs, there is a genuine question as to where the relocated people are going to settle. Given that Baltimore is a natural possibility as a location for people to settle, the City Council must ensure that there is some plan in place for accommodating these new residents both in our housing structure and in our overall transportation structure.
Additionally, the BDC and other City agencies should make the City Council aware of any efforts in luring these potential new residents to our city. In a memorandum dated September 21, 2006, Michael Hayes, Director of the Office of Military Affairs for the Maryland DBED, stated "The City of Baltimore is also developing plans to demonstrate to potential employees associated with Fort Meade and Aberdeen that it presents attractive housing and business location opportunities." It should be the prerogative of the City Council to know these plans and how they will affect our current citizens, as well as to be given the chance to offer some feedback.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body requests the Director of the Department of Transportation, the Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Director of Planning, and the Chair of the Baltimore Development Corporation to brief the Council on what steps are being taken to prepare Baltimore City for the influx of military and defense personnel that will be coming to the Baltimore region as a result of the decisions by the Base Realignment and Closure Committee.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Director of Transportation, the Director of Housing and Community Development, the Director of Planning, the Chief Executive Officer of the Baltimore Development Corporation, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the Council.
dlr06-1030~intro/12Oct06
ccres/IHBRAC:td
dlr06-1030~intro/12Oct06
- 2 -
ccres/IHBRAC:td