Severn Center Breaks Ground, Anne Arundel Says Project Will Cost $15.7M

SEVERN, MD — Leaders broke ground Friday on the Severn Center, which will be built at 1160 Reece Road. The $15.7 million facility will host events for the residents of Western Anne Arundel County when it opens in 2023.

"I committed to making this center a reality before I even took office, and I am so appreciative of the advocates who, for the last two decades, have never given up," County Executive Steuart Pittman said in a press release. "This will put young lives on a path to success and provide elderly neighbors with the quality of life that we owe to them. Magic will happen here."

The project has been on the county's to-do list for years. Glenda Gathers, known locally as "Ms. G," has spent three decades pushing for a complex like this.

"The community has seen some false starts and broken promises," Gathers stated. "Now that I see something is happening, I can rest a little easier."

Anne Arundel County will pay for the project with money from Video Lottery Terminals. Funding also came from the Maryland General Assembly, the Maryland Department of Aging and a County Community Development Block Grant.

The county chose TMI Contractors for the construction through a competitive bid process. That company also built the new Michael E. Busch Library in Annapolis.

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects designed the site, which will include public art installations from Art With a Heart and artist Nicole Brooks.

Arundel Community Development Services, Inc. is the group overseeing the financing, predevelopment and construction. ACDS Executive Director Kathleen Koch was excited that all that planning is starting to pay off.

"We have worked hard to bring together multiple sources of funding and overcome a number of technical challenges to get here," Koch commented. "Breaking ground with the community makes it all worth it."

The Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities will manage the location's Senior Activity Center and flexible community space. Department Director Karrisa Kelly sees the building as an opportunity for neighborhood bonding.

"We are looking forward to bringing together the community, including children, youth, adults and older adults for meaningful and intergenerational programming," Kelly added.

These officials and organizations also attended the outdoor ceremony, which featured entertainment and refreshments:

• Bernice Hutchinson, Maryland Department of Aging Deputy Secretary
• Pam Beidle, District 32 Senator
• Sandy Bartlett, District 32 Delegate
• Mark Chang, District 32 Delegate
• Mike Rogers, District 32 Delegate
• Sarah Lacey, County Council Chairwoman
• Severn Community Partnership
• Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
• Community and faith leaders
• State and local agency leadership

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. Download our mobile application from the App Store or Google Play.

Have a story idea? Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County news.