WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin (both D-Md.) and Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-Md.), sent a letter the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today calling for an immediate meeting to reconcile a number of stumbling blocks that have halted the development of Fort Howard as an assisted living facility for Maryland veterans.

The letter is below:

We are very concerned that the development of Fort Howard has stalled and urge the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to host a meeting with Baltimore County and Federal Development LLC to see if the stumbling blocks to this project can be eliminated or if another path should be explored. In order to keep this project on schedule, it is very important that these parties meet as soon as possible.

Fort Howard is a test of whether the VA and private financial interests can strike the balance necessary to provide affordable housing and assisted living for our Maryland veterans. And while the focus should be on developing a re-use plan for this property that provides a continuum of care for aging veterans, the surrounding community’s concerns about the impact on local traffic and on public access to the beautiful open spaces at Fort Howard cannot be ignored.

The parties to the contract and the county have the power to resolve the outstanding disagreements that prevent the project from moving forward. Without resolution, the project will continue to stall and promises made to our veterans will not be promises kept.

We look forward to hearing updates from the VA, Baltimore County and Federal Development LLC as these parties work together to provide affordable housing and assisted living for our veterans as well as open space for residents and the surrounding community to enjoy.