Maryland Statutes
Part III - Powers
Section 10-620 - Authority to Acquire Property Generally

(a)    (1)    Subject to annual appropriations and this subtitle, the Authority may acquire in its own name, by gift, purchase, or condemnation, any property or interest in property necessary or convenient to construct, improve, or operate a facility.
        (2)    When acquiring in its own name any property under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Authority shall first attempt to acquire the property by negotiation and purchase.
        (3)    If the Authority is not able to acquire property by negotiation, the Authority may condemn private property under subsection (b) of this section.
        (4)    If the Authority determines that acting under paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection would be inappropriate, the Authority may condemn private property under subsection (c) of this section.
    (b)    (1)    The exercise of authority under this subsection is subject to subsection (a) of this section, the prior approval of the Board of Public Works, and review by the Legislative Policy Committee.
        (2)    The Authority may condemn any private property for any purpose of the Authority:
            (i)    in accordance with Title 12 of the Real Property Article; and
            (ii)    only in Camden Yards and at the Hippodrome Performing Arts site.
    (c)    (1)    The exercise of authority under this subsection is subject to subsection (a) of this section, the prior approval of the Board of Public Works, and review by the Legislative Policy Committee.
        (2)    The Authority may exercise quick take condemnation under Article III, § 40A of the Maryland Constitution to acquire in Baltimore City for the State private property for any purpose of the Authority:
            (i)    in accordance with §§ 8–334 through 8–339 of the Transportation Article and Title 12 of the Real Property Article; and
            (ii)    only in Camden Yards and at the Hippodrome Performing Arts site.
    (d)    (1)    The exercise of authority under this subsection is subject to the prior approval of the Board of Public Works.
        (2)    On request of the Authority, the State, a unit of the State, or a political subdivision may lease, lend, grant, or otherwise convey to the Authority, property, including property devoted to public use, as necessary or convenient for the purposes of this subtitle.
        (3)    The State may lease or sublease a facility, or an interest in a facility, from or to the Authority, whether or not constructed or usable.
        (4)    Lease payments to the Authority appropriated by the State shall be transferred to:
            (i)    the Baltimore Convention Fund if appropriated for a Baltimore Convention facility;
            (ii)    the Camden Yards Fund if appropriated for a sports facility or other facility at Camden Yards;
            (iii)    the Hippodrome Performing Arts Fund if appropriated for a Hippodrome Performing Arts facility;
            (iv)    the Montgomery County Conference Fund if appropriated for a Montgomery County Conference facility;
            (v)    the Ocean City Convention Fund if appropriated for an Ocean City Convention facility; or
            (vi)    the Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility Fund if appropriated for a Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility.
    (e)    (1)    This subsection does not apply to the Camden Yards site, Baltimore Convention site, Ocean City Convention site, Hippodrome Performing Arts site, any Baltimore City public school site, any racing facility, the Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility site, any supplemental facility site, or any public school site.
        (2)    The Authority and any Authority affiliate are subject to applicable planning, zoning, and development regulations to the same extent as a private commercial or industrial enterprise.
    (f)    The Authority shall:
        (1)    in cooperation with Baltimore City, appoint a task force that includes residents and business and institutional representatives from the area adjacent to Camden Yards to review the schematic, preliminary, and final plans for facilities at Camden Yards;
        (2)    submit schematic plans for development of Camden Yards and the Baltimore Convention site to Baltimore City for review and comment before acquiring any property;
        (3)    with respect to Camden Yards, the Baltimore Convention facility, and the Hippodrome Performing Arts facility, submit preliminary and final plans to Baltimore City for review and comment;
        (4)    with respect to Camden Yards, the Baltimore Convention facility, and the Hippodrome Performing Arts facility, participate in the design review processes of Baltimore City;
        (5)    with respect to a Baltimore City public school facility, perform the actions required under §§ 10–645, 10–646, 10–656, and 10–657 of this subtitle; and
        (6)    with respect to a public school facility, perform the actions required under §§ 10–649, 10–650, 10–658, and 10–658.1 of this subtitle.
    (g)    This section does not affect the right of the Authority to acquire an option or institute a condemnation proceeding for later acquisition of the property once the approval required by this section is obtained.