KINGSVILLE, MD—After nine years, the Kingsville land swap is complete, Councilman David Marks has announced.

At its meeting on Monday, December 18, the Baltimore County Council approved the acquisition of 36 acres of land along Raphel Road in the Kingsville area from the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA), along with a $2.75 million contribution from the state. In return, the county will convey 25 acres to the state along Interstate-95.

The land swap moves a proposed maintenance facility next to Interstate-95 and away from the rural neighborhoods of Upper Falls and Bradshaw.

“Our office has worked on this issue for nearly a decade,” said Councilman Marks. “With this final approval of land by Baltimore County, we have put to rest any question that the state would be building a maintenance facility in the heart of the Kingsville area, with noisy trucks ruining its quality of life.”

“I would like to thank County Executive John Jr. Olszewski, County Administrative Officer Stacey Rodgers, and the leadership of the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks for their support over many years,” Marks added. “From the state, many thanks to Maryland Transportation Authority, including former Executive Secretary James F. Ports, for all their help. We also received unwavering, strong support from Senator J.B. Jennings and Delegates Kathy Szeliga and Ryan Nawrocki.”

With the acquisition of the 36 acres, the size of Mount Vista Park will grow to 147 acres. The Maryland Transportation Authority will also reforest about six acres of the donated property over a two-year period.

Future uses for the entire site are not yet determined, although a large part will be undeveloped.

Photo via Councilman David Marks