County officials to tour buildings due for repair

Carroll County officials hope to get a better idea of the cost to renovate two vacant buildings on East Baltimore Street in Taneytown today when they tour the structures with a contractor.

If the county simply repairs water-damaged walls and replaces the heating and cooling system, renovations could cost about $15,000, Citizen Services Director Jolene G. Sullivan said yesterday. If the adjacent buildings are made handicapped-accessible, renovations could cost at least $100,000, she said.

City, county and state groups would like to convert the buildings -- one a former bank, the other a former drug store -- into a community center.

Groups involved in the project are the Department of Social Services, Human Services Programs of Carroll County, the Health Department, Recreation and Parks Department, Youth Service Bureau and Head Start.

The county plans to apply for state and private grants to renovate and operate the center, Mrs. Sullivan said.