By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

This week, the Berlin Town Council authorized the submission of an application for Community Development Block Grant funds in an amount not to exceed $300,000.

The dollars will be used for the demolition of an existing multipurpose building on 130 Flower Street, the site of the town’s planned community center.

Sara Gorfinkel, executive assistant to Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall, said that last year, the town applied for a $500,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s CDBG program to demolish the buildings on the property and conduct site work. The project was not awarded the full $500,000 but received $100,000 to begin a feasibility study and pay for preliminary expenses.

Throughout this process, Gorfinkel said, it was learned that there are additional funds available that the Town of Berlin may now reapply for, up to $300,000, specifically for the removal of spot blight. If awarded the funds, the town would use the money to demolish the multipurpose building located on 130 Flower Street, which is deemed a danger and an eyesore in the space.

The funds will only be used for the structure’s demolition if awarded.

“This application is a special application,” Gorfinkel said. “As great as the community center is and will be, this is super specific to only demolishing the multipurpose building.”

According to the executive assistant, the structure is in disrepair. Hazardous materials, asbestos, and lead paint are present, making it a blight on the 130 Flower Street property.

Gorfinkel said any project funded with the CDBG must meet national requirements. To be deemed eligible, objectives like benefiting persons of low and moderate income, preventing slum or blight, and eliminating an immediate threat to health, safety, and welfare must be met.

This project has been approved to apply for the elimination of spot blight.

“The Town of Berlin is seeking funds to demolish the dilapidated multipurpose building at 130 Flower Street,” the executive assistant said. “It has been abandoned, tested positive for lead paint and asbestos, and suffered severe roof damage during the 2024-2025 winter storms. The building, once used for community events but long abandoned, is now a source of blight near Henry Park, which includes a playground and a basketball court frequented by families and children.”

The Berlin Town Council authorized applying for the community development grant this week.

The push to build a community center in Berlin has been ongoing. Through a partnership between the Town of Berlin, Berlin Community Improvement Association (BCIA), SHOREUP! Inc., and the Worcester County Commissioners, four parcels of property on Flower Street, formerly the site of the Flower Street School, for a future community center have been combined. The hope is that a community center will serve the town with meeting space, recreational activities, and services and amenities.

Next week, the community is invited to participate in community center engagement meetings. The meetings will be held May 6, 6-7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on 405 Flower Street and May 7, noon-1:30 p.m. at Town Hall’s council chambers. Interactive discussions, small group brainstorming and opportunities to register votes for project features will be held.