Plans to turn former Mace’s Lane HS into community center in the works

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Community leaders are hoping the third time’s the charm as they look to re-purpose the former Mace’s Lane High School yet again, and turn it into a multi-purpose center that would provide a safe environment for the youth in the area to go to.

“The children they are being inundated with so many negative influences,” said Rev. Keith Cornish.

Reverend Keith Cornish is just one of the many members who make up the Community Center’s Steering Committee taking on the nearly $5 million project.
Previous groups failed to see it through, but now they’re looking to put together a funding stream to help with construction costs.

“To date with the matching grants that we need we’ve got about $800,000,” said Cornish.

Cornish says along with a gymnasium and cafeteria members plan to also open a museum inside the center to tell the history of the once segregated high school.

“I remember going there when it was just all black students, all black teachers,” said Cambridge resident Eugene Muhammad.

Residents in the area tell 47 they’re on board with concept, hoping it’ll provide a positive outlet for children.

“It would give them a chance to go somewhere and do something constructive instead of destructive,” said Muhammad.

And while there’s still more work to be done committee members say this is just the first step in making this dream become a reality. Once the center is completed the plan is to make it open to the public at no cost to those who use it. They add that funding for the facility would come from nonprofit resources, foundations, grants and local municipalities.