Commissioners Approve Sale of Former North Carroll High School Property
Westminster, MD, Thursday, December 3, 2020 – Today in Open Session, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the sale of North Carroll High School to Chesapeake Real Estate Group, LLC for $1M and other terms as discussed today to be finalized in a contract for sale. The property will be developed as a commercial multi-purpose sports complex to include turf fields. Settlement on the property will occur within 30 days of the developer receiving permits for the proposed plans from the county and Town of Hampstead. This due diligence period is expected to be less than 180 days and end no later than June 30, 2021.
Matthew Laraway, Executive Vice President and Partner at Chesapeake Real Estate and Hampstead resident, participated in the virtual meeting and discussed the developer’s sensitivity to the community’s sentiment regarding the school and confirmed their interest in using current recreation council programming as a cornerstone for the new facility. The project includes the agreement to continue leasing approximately 5,000 square feet to the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office at no cost to the county for ten years and to continue use of the property by Carroll County Recreation Councils.
“After four long years of uncertainty, I am thrilled to move forward with a positive solution for the former North Carroll High School property, which is a win-win for the town and the county,” said Richard Weaver, County Commissioner for District 2. “I look forward to working with the proposed new owner Chesapeake Real Estate Group, LLC and believe their intention to develop a commercial multi-purpose sports complex will be an asset to the community and the county.”
Four years ago, the Carroll County Board of Education closed the school due to declining enrollment and ownership returned to the county. The site has remained mostly vacant while costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual maintenance costs.
Meetings are available for viewing on the county meeting portal and the county YouTube channel. In addition, all meetings will be replayed on Comcast Channel 24.