Community support pressures council to back hotel conference center project

CRISFIELD, Md. – City Hall was packed Wednesday night as residents and business leaders pushed for the city to support the development of a hotel conference center and walking park in downtown Crisfield. Over fifty business owners signed on to show support, and it motivated many to come out and speak directly to their council.

The preliminary plans right now include a boardwalk, a walking park, a hotel with a conference center, a parking garage, and more, all intertwining Crisfield’s rich history and culture.

The project has been presented by The Greater Crisfield Action Coalition, as well as developer Peck Miller.

This project could not move forward without the approval of city council, and is something many feel is the project that can revitalize the area.

“It’s about opportunities for our people to be able to do something here. Hotels, they provide living wage jobs,” said Crisfield resident Darlene Taylor.

The arguments put forth by those who attended was so much that the council put forth a motion and passed it unanimously immediately following public comment.

“I want to put forth that motion, that a committee be formed to seek resources to help us find funding for this project,” said councilwoman Gail Lankford.

The town will now be appointing board members with a resolution in the next week for the steering committee.

This project would be a private-public partnership, with investments from the private sector, as well as help on the state level.