Calvert County Approves New Five-Year Agreement For Annmarie Garden

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center will continue operating on county-owned property in Solomons under a new five-year agreement approved Aug. 18.

The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved the lease and operating agreement with the Koenig Private Foundation Inc. as part of its consent agenda.

The agreement covers the approximately 29.3-acre property at 13480 Dowell Road from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.

It may automatically renew for as many as two additional five-year terms if neither party ends the agreement and the foundation is not in default. Each renewal remains subject to county funding and the other terms of the lease.

The county and foundation entered into their previous agreement in 2014. That lease expired June 30, 2024, and was administratively extended through fiscal 2026 while the parties prepared a replacement.

Under the new agreement, the foundation will operate the garden and work with the county to maintain county-owned buildings and infrastructure. Capital improvements must receive advance written approval from the county administrator.

The agreement also establishes requirements for annual operating plans, capital budget requests and quarterly program and financial reports. Those reports must include information about programs, attendance, staffing, expenditures and proposed property improvements.

Calvert County awarded Annmarie Garden a $450,000 block grant for fiscal 2027, according to the county administrator’s memorandum. Future county contributions will depend on funding approved through the annual budget process.

Either party may cancel or amend the lease with six months’ written notice.

The proposed agreement initially contained a typographical error stating that the parties intended to be bound as of July 1, 2024. The BOCC authorized the date to be corrected to July 1, 2026, matching the beginning of the new lease term.

Watch the full meeting below.

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