ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today signed three critical pieces of legislation. Photos of the event can be found on the Howard County Flickr page.
Today’s bill signing reflects our commitment to a Howard County that is investing in its people, honoring its past, and building for the future. CB18 will transform our historic jailhouse into an adaptive center for preservation, education, community engagement all while staying true to our past. CB20 formalizes our Interfaith Advisory Commission. Since its inception in 2024, this diverse body of different faiths has helped combat hate and foster love and understanding in our community. This important work must continue. Lastly, CR39 brings much needed affordable housing. This resolution will modernize Fall River Terrace, which has served low-and-moderate income families in Columbia for more than 50 years. It will now get a much-needed update to become a vibrant, accessible community.
CB18-2026: Preservation Maryland Lease
From 1851 to the 1980s, the Historic Howard County Jail, located at 1 Emory Street in Ellicott City, served as Howard County’s jail, carrying a long and complex history. Prior to the abolition of slavery in Maryland, the historic jail was used as a prison for freedom seekers, and it later became the site of both documented and narrowly prevented lynchings. Vacant since 2008, the historic jail has great need for renovation and restoration to return it to use.
CB18 authorized an Agreement of Lease between Howard County, Maryland and Preservation Maryland, Inc. for the lease of the historic Jail for a period of 40 years. Under the agreement, Preservation Maryland will lead a multimillion-dollar adaptive reuse of the long-vacant property, transforming it into a center for preservation, education, and community engagement. As part of the collaboration, UMD’s School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation will establish a presence within the rehabilitated building to advance groundbreaking research and cultivate a pipeline of skilled, versatile practitioners.
The project is designed not only to adapt and reinterpret the site but also to create new public and nonprofit spaces, including:
- Collaborative office and research space for UMD faculty and students
- Community meeting and event space
- Historical interpretive exhibits acknowledging the site’s past
- Contemplative green space designed for reflection and resilience
- Headquarters for Preservation Maryland
With the lease authorized, Preservation Maryland anticipates breaking ground on this project in the coming months.
“Preservation Maryland is grateful for the County’s leadership in recognizing the importance of protecting our shared historic resources,” said Laura Houston, Director of Revitalization Initiatives at Preservation Maryland. “This legislation represents a meaningful step forward in ensuring the long-term stewardship and public benefit of this historic site and is a strong example of what partnership can achieve. We’re proud to work alongside Howard County on this transformative project.”
CB20-2026: Interfaith Advisory Commission
In January 2024, Ball created the County’s first-ever Interfaith Advisory Council (IAC) to help combat hate around Howard County, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. The 16-member council was tasked with providing recommendations on best practices to address religious intolerance in the county, as well as social and community issues, and assist at-risk populations who are suffering from homelessness, addiction, mental illness, domestic violence, food insecurity and poverty.
In its final report, the IAC expressed the need for continued work to address issues of intolerance facing faith communities and to further coordinate services to address the needs of at-risk populations in Howard County.
CB20 carries this vision forward by establishing a permanent Interfaith Advisory Commission for Howard County. The Commission will act as a platform for education and awareness and advise on best practices for the integration of traditions, bridging divides between diverse communities, encouraging dialogue, combatting extremism, and building trust. In addition, the Commission will collaborate and coordinate on shared social issues, including: health and wellness; economic development; education; workforce; environmental stewardship; veterans; older adults; food insecurity; crime and policing; transportation; and youth engagement.
The Commission will consist of at least 16, but no more than 20 members, including:
The following ex-officio members:
- Bill Barnes, Superintendent, Howard County Public School System
- Dr. Daria J. Willis, President, Howard Community College
- Tonya Aikens, President and CEO, Howard County Library System
The following appointed members:
- Ten to 12 members who represent a diverse variety of faiths and congregations, with no more than four members coming from the same faith community;
- At least two members from the general public, with consideration given to individuals who may have “lived experiences” tied to key issues including, without limitation, housing insecurity, disability, and immigration; and
- At least one student representative under the age of 19, who attends a high school or secondary school in Howard County and who shall serve a one-year term from July 1st to June 30th.
Members will be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. The Commission will be required to submit an annual report every year on or before February 28th.
“This Commission formalizes what we know to be true: faith communities are essential partners in the fabric of Howard County,” said LaKeisha McClendon, Administrator of the Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity. “This structure strengthens our ability to work together, address complex challenges, and advance a more unified and resilient community.”
CR39-2026: Fall River Terrace PILOT Agreement
The existing Fall River Terrace residential community was built in 1971, comprising of 56 apartments with 1-4 bedroom unit types. Today, the Fall River Terrace community is aging, and the existing walkup apartments are inaccessible for residents with varying abilities. Additionally, the existing development has no dedicated space for onsite resident amenities.
CR39 approves the terms and conditions of a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) Agreement between Howard County, Maryland and Enterprise Community Development (ECD) for a proposed 76-unit housing community to replace the existing Fall River Terrace community at 5551 Harpers Farm Road in Columbia, Maryland. This PILOT agreement provides critical financing assistance needed to advance the mixed-income community.
Through this redevelopment, ECD plans to construct and operate an 76-unit mixed-income rental housing development; 56 units will be rented to households that earn at or below 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI), of which 25 of the units will be rented to households that earn at or below 50% of AMI; and 20 units will be rented at market rate. The new building will have energy efficient systems and features, including a solar array and electric vehicle charging. The site design includes a robust landscaping plan with native plants.
In addition to the redevelopment of rental units, the Fall River Terrace community will include six modern, for-sale townhomes, which will respond to the need for less costly, missing middle housing that will offer families the opportunity to invest in a starter home.
Fall River Terrace is the fourth of five major redevelopment projects being advanced by ECD in Columbia, Maryland. Founded in 1982 by Jim Rouse, ECD is the largest nonprofit developer in the Mid-Atlantic. ECD’s portfolio includes 15 communities and more than 1,000 apartment homes in Howard County.
In 2019, ECD initiated a plan to redevelop five aging and obsolete rental properties under their ownership in Columbia. After receiving approval from the Zoning Board, Enterprise began advancing plans to redevelop these affordable housing communities into modern, mixed-income communities.
As Howard County Executive, Ball has championed these projects and partnership with ECD through payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreements to help finance redevelopment. Furthermore, Ball has invested more than $17 million in the ECD redevelopment plan, including more than $4 million from the County’s Housing Opportunities Trust Fund. When the redevelopment plan is complete, Enterprise is expected to deliver approximately 600 modern, mixed-income homes in Howard County that welcome families at a variety of price points.
“We are grateful for Howard County’s continued partnership and support as we advance our long-term commitment to preserving and expanding high-quality affordable and mixed-income housing in Columbia." said Janine Lind, President of Enterprise Community Development. "This PILOT is critical to making the redevelopment of Fall River Terrace possible and will allow us to replace an aging community with modern, accessible homes that better serve today’s residents while maintaining affordability for generations to come.”