Redevelopment - Highlands Spray Irrigation Properties

Cecil County, Maryland (County) invites proposals from qualified developers, development teams, non-profit organizations, or other interested parties for the redevelopment of two County owned parcels. The County hereby requests proposals from parties interested in redeveloping two properties totaling 40.438 acres. Collectively known as the “Highlands Spray Irrigation Properties,” the site is located at 50 Ballantrae Drive, Elkton, Maryland.

The County seeks innovative proposals that represent the highest and best use of the site for residential and/or mixed-use development, aligned with the community's long-term goals. This Request for Proposal (RFP) purpose is the solicitation of development proposals, purchase agreements, and/or long term leases for the properties. Identified as surplus in accordance with Section 12-405(b)(2) of the Maryland Annotated Code’s Local Government Article, Cecil County Government has an obligation to its constituents to find the highest and best reuse of the properties.

Responses to this RFP will be reviewed and evaluated by the County Executive, Director of Administration, and other staff as deemed appropriate.

Please note that Cecil County Government reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals received as a result of this RFP. Cecil County Government also reserves the right to negotiate in any manner necessary to serve the best interests of the County.

Beginning in 1975, the residential Highlands subdivision was developed by Gerres Construction Company. Wastewater treatment for the subdivision was accomplished via an on-site wastewater treatment plant, holding ponds, and spray irrigation field.

On September 16, 1975 (via deed WAS 350/419), the developers transferred the property containing the wastewater treatment facilities to Cecil County Government. Cecil County Government operated the Highlands WWTP for the next 40 +/- years.

Following the completion of a new sanitary sewer interceptor that connected the facility to the Meadowview WWTP, the Highlands WWTP was decommissioned and demolished in 2016. Please see Appendix B for the demolition plan associated with the Highlands WWTP.

In 2017, Cecil County Government and Solar City explored the feasibility of placing a 2.5MW solar array on the properties. Site plans for the 2017 project are contained in Appendix C, and utility easements for extension of three phase electric are recorded in CMN 4121/148, 4122/242, and 4128/227. The solar developer abandoned the project in 2018 as a result of a soft SREC (solar renewable energy credit) market and Tesla’s acquisition of Solar City.

Discussions held with the City of Newark, Delaware in October 2019 raised the possibility of constructing an indoor firearms training range of the property ( https://www.newarkpostonline.com/news/newark-police-department-proposes-4-7-million-gun-range/article_a2741b24-6747-5613-8b4f-0a090a65cf2d.html) , but these talks were shelved with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.