Dougherty Would Welcome Presbyterian Home Project

Havre de Grace Mayor Wayne Dougherty was closley following backed out of its Village at Carsins Run project in Aberdeen.

As soon as the mayor got word of the possibility of the hotel room tax bill being pulled, he asked his director of planning to begin looking around for potential sites to accomodate the development.

While there aren't many open parcels in Havre de Grace to match the 138-acre property near Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Dougherty is hopeful that Presbyterian Home of Maryland considers Havre de Grace.

"We'd love to have Presbyterian Home here in Havre de Grace," Dougherty said. "I think it's a little bit too early [to speculate], but I think they'll be doing a little exploratory research. Hopefully they do keep us in mind. I think it will be a win-win for the city."

Dougherty said he expects to hear from Presbyterian Home in the near future.

News broke Thursday that the retirement community would not be built, after state Del. Mary-Dulany James, a Havre de Grace resident, withdrew a bill that would have granted the project a 15-year tax exemption.

“The real loser here is the City of Aberdeen,” said Susan Shea, president and CEO of Presbyterian Home.

Carsins Run would have offered 183 independent-living units, 10 assisted-living beds and 10 comprehensive-care beds.

“The Village at Carsins Run would have meant jobs in a community that desperately needs them," Shea said. “PHM is determined to build the continuing-care retirement community.

“Unfortunately, it will not be built in Aberdeen,”  Shea added.