In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Authority” means the West North Avenue Development Authority. “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Authority. “Buffer zone” means the area within 250 yards of the target area. “Target area” means the portion of West North Avenue in Baltimore City between the 600 block and the 3200 block, inclusive. “West North Avenue Corridor” includes the geographic area consisting of the target area and the buffer zone.

This subtitle shall be liberally construed to accomplish its purposes.

There is a West North Avenue Development Authority in Baltimore City. The Authority is a body politic and corporate and is an instrumentality of the State. The exercise by the Authority of a power under this subtitle is the performance of an essential governmental function. The Governor may include each year in the State budget bill an appropriation to the Authority in Baltimore City. Beginning fiscal year 2028, the Authority shall be self–sustaining.

The General Assembly finds that: there exists within various neighborhoods in Baltimore City, particularly the West North Avenue Corridor, a need for residential and commercial development or redevelopment in furtherance of the public’s interest; the West North Avenue Corridor has experienced low housing and economic development in the community for decades; areas in the West North Avenue Corridor include both areas that are considered slum or blighted and areas that are deteriorated or subject to further deteriorating condition, and those areas are in need of development or redevelopment for the public benefit; the revitalization of areas within the West North Avenue Corridor needing commercial development or redevelopment is an essential governmental function and is a public use that will confer a public benefit on citizens of Baltimore City by: relieving conditions of unemployment; encouraging the increase of commerce and a balanced economy; assisting in the retention of businesses and residents; attracting new industries and commerce; promoting economic development and growth; and generally promoting the health, welfare, and public safety of residents in Baltimore City and increasing property tax revenues for the State and the City of Baltimore; the establishment of this public Authority to provide financial resources for the development and establishment of residences and businesses through community organizations in the target area will significantly improve Baltimore City neighborhoods and increase property tax revenues for the State and the City of Baltimore; and the Authority is the economic development authority for the State to benefit the neighborhoods of Baltimore City within the target area. The legislative purposes of the Authority are to: revive the various communities along the West North Avenue Corridor in Baltimore City; promote economic development; encourage the increase of business activity, commerce, and a balanced economy in Baltimore City; help to retain and attract business activity and commerce in Baltimore City; and promote the health, public safety, right of gainful employment, and welfare of residents of Baltimore City. The General Assembly intends that: the Authority operate and exercise its corporate powers along the West North Avenue Corridor in Baltimore City; without limiting its authority to otherwise exercise its powers, the Authority exercise its powers to assist private real estate entities and nonprofit community development corporations to develop and rehabilitate housing and commercial units in Baltimore City and support local economic development agencies to contribute to the expansion, modernization, and retention of existing enterprises in Baltimore City as well as the attraction of new businesses to Baltimore City; and the Authority should not own and operate a project unless: the Board determines by resolution that the private sector has not demonstrated serious and significant interest and development capacity to own and operate the project; or a representative of a governmental unit requests in writing that the Authority own and operate the project.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, in exercising its powers, the Authority: may carry out its purposes without the consent of any State unit; and is not subject to: Subtitles 1 through 3 of this title; or the following provisions of the State Finance and Procurement Article: Title 2, Subtitles 2 (Gifts and Grants) and 5 (Facilities for the Handicapped); Title 3 (Budget and Management); Title 4 (Department of General Services); Title 5A (Division of Historical and Cultural Programs); Title 6, Subtitle 1 (Studies and Estimates); Title 7, Subtitles 1 (State Operating Budget), 2 (Disbursements and Expenditures), and 3 (Unspent Balances); Title 10 (Board of Public Works – Miscellaneous Provisions); or Division II (General Procurement Law). The Authority is subject to: the Public Information Act; and the Open Meetings Act. The Authority, its officers, and its employees are subject to the Public Ethics Law. The Authority, its officers, and its employees are subject to Title 12, Subtitle 4 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. The Authority is subject to Title 14, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

A Board of Directors shall manage the Authority and exercise its powers. The Board consists of the following members: one member of the Senate of Maryland who represents the target area, appointed by the President of the Senate; one member of the House of Delegates who represents the target area, appointed by the Speaker of the House; the Secretary of Housing and Community Development, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee; the Executive Director of the Maryland Economic Development Corporation, or the Executive Director’s designee; one member of the Baltimore City Council who represents the target area, appointed by the President of the Baltimore City Council; one member appointed by the Mayor of Baltimore City; one member appointed by the Governor; the Director of the Baltimore Development Corporation, or the Director’s designee; the Commissioner of the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, or the Commissioner’s designee; the Director of the Baltimore City Department of Transportation, or the Director’s designee; the Director of the Baltimore City Department of Planning, or the Director’s designee; the President of Coppin State University, or the President’s designee; the President of the Maryland Institute College of Art, or the President’s designee; two members appointed by the chair of the Authority, or the chair’s designee; and two members who are residents of communities impacted by the target area or buffer zone, with one member representing the neighborhoods east of North Fulton Avenue and one member representing the neighborhoods west of North Fulton Avenue, selected by the majority vote of the leadership of the following organizations: Alliance of Rosemont Community Associations; Bolton Hill Community Association; Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation; Druid Heights Community Development Corporation; Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council; Penn North Community Association; and collectively, the leadership of the Reservoir Hill Improvement Council, the Reservoir Hill Association, and the Upper Eutaw Madison Neighborhood Association. The President of Coppin State University, or the President’s designee, shall serve as the chair of the Board.

The Authority may manage appropriated funds from the City of Baltimore and the State. The Authority may receive donated services from accountants, lawyers, or other consultants as necessary to carry out this subtitle. The Authority may supervise, manage, and terminate staff and consultants as necessary.

A member of the Authority: may not receive compensation as a member of the Authority; but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.

The Authority shall: support the development and approval of a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plan in the target area and the buffer zone to benefit: the residents; housing; neighborhoods; economic development; and transportation, including motor vehicles and pedestrians; and work in coordination with the residents of the target area and the buffer zone to develop a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization plan. The Authority may, by a majority vote of all members of the Authority, modify the boundaries of the target area and the buffer zone. On or before December 15, 2023, the Authority shall report its comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy, including any procurement activities undertaken by the Authority, to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, to the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, the House Health and Government Operations Committee, and the House Appropriations Committee.

The Authority may: adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business; adopt a seal; sue or be sued; maintain an office at a place it designates in Baltimore City; make or accept and manage loans, grants, or assistance of any kind from the federal or State government, a local government, a college or university, a charitable institution, a nonprofit organization, a for–profit organization, or a private source; make grants to individuals; acquire properties in Baltimore City, directly or indirectly, from a person or political subdivision, to improve, manage, market, maintain, or lease, from a person or political subdivision for residential, commercial, or industrial development or redevelopment, including comprehensive renovation or rehabilitation of the land or property on terms the Authority considers reasonable to operate a project in Baltimore City, by: purchase; gift; interest; condemnation; eminent domain, except for owner–occupied residential properties; tax sale; foreclosure; receivership; in rem foreclosure proceedings; easement, or any other interest in land; lease; and rent; acquire, purchase, hold, lease as lessee, and use: a franchise, patent, or license; any real, personal, mixed, tangible, or intangible property; or an interest in the property listed in this item; finance all or part of the acquisition or improvement of a project; sell, lease as lessor, transfer, license, assign, or dispose of property or a property interest that the Authority acquires; fix and collect rates, rentals, fees, royalties, and charges for services and resources the Authority provides or makes available; enter into contracts with any federal, State, or local government agency, a governmental unit, a college or university, charitable institutions, or a private entity or party; exercise power usually possessed by a private corporation in performing similar functions unless to do so would conflict with State law; with the owner’s permission, enter lands or premises to make a survey, a sounding, a boring, or an examination to accomplish the purpose authorized by this subtitle; create, own, control, or be a member of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or any other entity; create a special district benefit for the commercial businesses in the target area; open a bank account with a national or local federally insured financial institution; set salaries in accordance with the jurisdiction market rate and outside the State Personnel and Pension System; create a forum for stakeholders to come together on creating a 20–year comprehensive plan around economic, housing, transportation, neighborhood, and green space development within the target zone; serve as a clearinghouse and resource center for promoting coordination and communication on development opportunities for the West North Avenue Corridor; ensure money is being spent effectively and efficiently on development and that development is happening in the appropriate way for the West North Avenue Corridor; provide advisory services to State and Baltimore City agencies on planning and development for the target area; initiate, fund, and monitor for efficiency and effectiveness economic, housing, transportation, neighborhood, and green space development within the target area; make rules and regulations for the operation and use of land, property, and undertakings under the Authority’s jurisdiction; and do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers expressly granted by this subtitle.

The Authority shall establish a system of financial accounting, controls, audits, and reports. The fiscal year of the Authority begins on July 1 and ends on the following June 30.

The Authority may create and administer the accounts that it requires. The Authority shall deposit its money into a Baltimore City or national bank or a federally insured savings and loan association that has a total paid–in capital of at least $1,000,000. The Authority may designate the trust department of a Baltimore City or national bank or savings and loan association as a depository to receive securities that the Authority owns or acquires.

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the Authority is exempt from taxation or assessments on any part of a development or project, the Authority’s activities in operating and maintaining a development or project, and revenues from a development or project. Any property that is sold or leased by the Authority to a private entity is subject to Baltimore City and local real property taxes from the time of sale or lease. The Authority is exempt from State and local transfer and recordation tax.

In this section, “Fund” means the West North Avenue Development Authority Fund. There is a West North Avenue Development Authority Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to provide funds for the Authority to use for consulting fees, salaries, and administrative expenses. The Authority shall administer the Fund. The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article. The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund. The Fund consists of: money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund; interest earnings; and any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund. The Fund may be used only for administrative purposes and to carry out the functions of this subtitle. The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested. Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.

In this section, “Program” means the Neighborhood Social Connection and Development Program. There is a Neighborhood Social Connection and Development Program in the Authority. The purpose of the Program is to foster social connections to support neighborhood development within the West North Avenue Corridor by: providing technical support to participating organizations, including community development corporations, neighborhood associations, volunteer groups, and nonprofit organizations; and awarding grants to implement programs that foster social connections and activities tailored to support neighborhood development. The Authority shall award grants to implement the Program. The Authority may annually set aside existing funds of not more than $150,000 for the purpose of awarding grants under the Program. The Authority may award a grant under this section only for: social gatherings, including block parties, cultural festivals, parades, speaker series, and service or recreational events; outreach initiatives, including neighborhood newsletters, community bulletins, or digital content, to raise awareness of social events and connect residents with available resources and services; stipends to compensate volunteers for the time used to organize projects, refreshments at Program designated events, rental and event spaces, and materials for Program events; operating support for participating organizations; social connection projects to create and maintain green spaces or other community gathering spaces; resources for training and hiring community organizers; and resources for grant application efforts. Participating organizations shall collaborate with residents of the West North Avenue Corridor in the planning and implementation of events and projects to ensure that activities reflect neighborhood priorities and, to the extent practicable, that events and activities are led by residents. On or before July 1, 2029, the Authority shall compile evaluations and outcomes of programs to develop a template for neighborhood building and provide scaling recommendations to similar organizations in the State and across the United States. On or before December 1, 2027, and each December 1 thereafter, the Authority shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on its comprehensive grant–awarding activities.