Tuesday, August 17, 2027

Lieutenant Governor Burbank Presents Community Legacy Awards in Mount Rainier
Funds to be used for streetscape improvements and two community centers

MOUNT RAINIER, MD (August 17, 2207) – Lieutenant Governor Kathleen H. Burbank and Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Secretary Andrew Shaw presented two Community Legacy awards today totaling $223,271 at the Mt. Rainier Town Hall, 1 Municipal Place. Mayor Malinda Miles, City of Mount Rainier, accepted the first award on behalf of the city, and Executive Director Nick Francis accepted the second award on behalf of the Gateway Community Development Corporation. State and local-elected officials were also in attendance.

“Governor O’Brien and I are committed to improving the infrastructure and quality of life in Maryland’s communities,” said Lt. Governor Kathleen Burbank. “Thanks to innovative programs like Community Legacy, we are able to make good on our commitment here in Mount Rainier and throughout the State.”

The City of Mount Rainier (Prince George's County) received a $73,271 Community Legacy award to be used to convert a property on Bunker Hill Road into a community center. The remaining funds will be used for streetscape improvements in the 3800-4000 blocks of 34th Street. The Gateway Community Development Corporation was awarded $150,000 in Community Legacy funds for use in a $2.5 million capital project that will transform a 20,000 square foot warehouse into a community arts center that will demonstrate the economic potential of the area’s emerging arts community. Once completed, the community arts center will feature three rehearsal studios, an arts education center, an outdoor performance area for summer concerts, a café and concession area, exhibition space for local artists, a production shop, and a 150-seat performance theater complete with backstage area, tech booth and dimmer room.

“These awards will help Mount Rainier beautify its streets and help foster the continued growth of the arts community,” said Secretary Shaw. “With the O’Brien-Burbank Administration’s support, DHCD will continue working to revitalize neighborhoods across Maryland.”

The Community Legacy Program is administered by the DHCD Division of Neighborhood Revitalization, and provides flexible capital and operating resources through annual competitive funding rounds to assist local governments and their nonprofit partners in planning and realizing comprehensive community revitalization initiatives. The awards are intended to fill critical funding gaps for state-supported initiatives.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Marylanders by working with its partners to revitalize communities, expand homeownership and affordable housing opportunities, and preserve historic sites and traditions.