About a year ago, Anne Arundel County purchased a vacant building on Solomons Island Road in Edgewater that once housed a Giant grocery store with plans to turn it into a recreation center. Now, the county is looking for a firm to handle the transformation.

The county recently sent out a request for proposals, specifically to provide architectural, engineering, and construction services for the project.

The request also asks for firms to handle the restoration of Jonas and Anne Catherine Green Park, north of Annapolis.

“Engaging with our Resilience Authority on these two projects will not only expedite their construction, but also ensure that they are done in a way that contributes to the environmental restoration of these sensitive sites,” County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a statement. “Our residents have asked for sustainable redevelopment of community spaces to promote health and wellness, and that’s what these projects deliver.”

“The Edgewater Recreation and Community Center represents a significant step forward,” said Jessica Leys, director of the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks. “By transforming a long-vacant space, we are creating a dynamic hub for recreation, learning, and community interaction. This project is also a commitment to the future, prioritizing sustainability and resilience to ensure our public spaces endure and flourish for generations.”

Rumblings about a recreation center began in February 2024, with $11.5 million put aside by the county for the project that year. In July, the county held an event to gather input from residents.

According to the request document, posted on the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Resilience Authority’s website, construction is set to start July 1. At last year’s July event, Pittman estimated the start of construction to be late 2025, putting the project ahead of schedule.

The current building, on a 5-acre property at 3130 Solomons Island Road, covers just over 45,000 square feet, with additions set only to add about 700 square feet.

The firms that are chosen will be replacing the front canopy, creating a new entry pavilion, a gymnasium and repairing the roof, along with some sustainability improvements, among other things. An indoor playground area is also planned.

The plan notes that the original schematics for the grocery store are unavailable, so the locations and materials of building elements will need to be verified once the project starts. The county is using schematics of another similar building to help.

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