Rockville approves preliminary steps for King Farm Farmstead — Gazette.Net

Rockville is taking some preliminary steps toward preserving the King Farm Farmstead Park, as city officials work to determine a more detailed plan for the farm.

While some of the structures have potential for future use, others are deteriorating and the need to find a use for the site is increasing, according to a report on the facility provided to the mayor and City Council.

They voted 4-0 Monday night to schedule a briefing with the citys Historic District Commission and allocate money to deal with groundhogs on the property and assess it for hazardous materials while they consider what should be done with the property in the long term.

The city needs to start making some decisions on the farm, said Mayor Bridget Donnell Newton.

We cannot wait any longer, she said.

The steps approved Monday will cost from $22,000 to $32,000. The report estimates that taking all the actions it recommends would cost about $5.6 million.

The King Farm was once the largest farm in the area, but much of it has been developed into homes, parks, stores and offices. Today, only eight buildings on 7 acres remain of the original farm.

The farmstead park was given to Rockville in the late 1990s and was designated as historic by the city in 2006.

The agreement that gave the farm to the city requires that it must be used as a neighborhood park and site for recreational activity for the public.

Despite its current state, the site has been the center of much interest from various groups.

Excerpt from:
Rockville approves preliminary steps for King Farm Farmstead -- Gazette.Net