St. Mary’s County government neglect appears to be the main reason why a historic monument to African-American contributions to the defense of the United States was allowed to rot.

The commissioners have decided to spend $150,000 to bring down the segregated United Service Organizations building on Lincoln Avenue in Lexington Park, though as much as $250,000 in grant money, obtained by Senator Roy Dyson (D) in 2004, is available to preserve it.

Commissioner President Jack Russell (D, St. George Island) and County Administrator John Savich plan to meet June 14 with Virginia Nolan, the woman behind the movement to save the building from being razed to the ground.

Commissioner Daniel Raley (D, Great Mills) came up with the suggestion to have the building demolished after complaints from some residents in Southampton that the building was being used by drug pushers.

"The site was added to the inventory of the Maryland Historic Trust in 1995, but this does not preclude the county from demolishing the building," said George Erichsen, Public Works and Transportation Director, in his May 22 written report to the commissioners, recommending the demolition. "At present, the facility is over 60 years old and … represents a liability in its current condition.”

Local elected officials are nervous that their decision may cause a public outcry, since the 7,400-square foot structure, which lays adjacent to the old Carver Elementary School, was allowed to rot for nearly two decades after the health department shifted its office from that site.

"All these years, they were figuring out what to do with the building as the pieces kept falling one by one," said Elfreda Mathis, who lost her race against Commissioner Kenny Dement (R, Piney Point) last year. She said that, had steps been taken to keep the building maintained, it would not have turned into an eyesore.

Russell was earlier hesitant to approve the demolition, but eventually agreed to Raley's proposal.

"The building will fall on somebody, and the county will face a law suit," Russell told The Bay Net.
Erichsen's report alluded to the Workforce Housing report, also presented to the commissioners May 22, which identified the building as a source of blight in Southampton. The report recommended that if the county has no use for a structure, then it should solicit private or non-profit interests for the re-use of the facility or if necessary demolish the facility.

Erichsen noted that a prior July 18, 2004 Final County Space Needs Study Report identified the building to be in "Poor" condition, with interior finishes showing wear, walls covered in lead, no handicapped access. The report recommended that the building be demolished.

The exact date when the building was built is missing from the records of Public Works and Transportation, the agency entrusted with looking after county property, but Karen Everett, county spokesperson cited a Maryland Historical Trust Historic Sites Survey, which said that the building began construction in 1943 and was ready for occupation in late July and August of 1944. She said, it was photographed and documented by Teri Wilson, the county's Historic Planner, in 2004.

Everett said, “Yes, it is in the inventory of the Maryland Historical Trust, but the structure does not have a Preservation Easement.”

Nolan said she tried to get the previous commissioner board, under the presidency of Thomas McKay, to protect and maintain the building.

“They cut the grass just one time,” Nolan said, adding that the board turned down Nolan’s offer to cut the grass. The commissioners, while deciding to demolish the building, said Nolan’s non-profit group, Save the Village, had failed to come up with the required monies to match the state grant that Dyson helped her to get.

“The $250,000 bond requires a $250,000 match by Save the Village, Inc. which has not been met to date," Erichsen’s report reads.

But Nolan said she still has time to come up with the monies as the state grant was good for seven years.

"I could not get my foot in," Nolan said, recalling the previous commissioner board was unhappy over her efforts to have the building restored.

Janice Walthour, of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said the building has sentimental value for some local African-Americans.

"Something should have been done to protect it," said Walthour. "It's now too far gone to me, but I am not an expert.”

Walthour said the building was a public center for black soldiers who worked at the Paxtuxent River navy base.

“It was a segregated USO building,” Walthour said.

Erichsen's report said the demolition of the building was in compliance with the St. Mary's Comprehensive Plan that call for fostering and enhancing sense of community and remedy negative conditions in existing developed areas; and promoting and encouraging utilization and redevelopment of existing parcels and structures.

Erichsen's recommendation for demolition states that the demolition project will cost approximately $16 per square foot to demolish and includes a 20% contingency.

"To address any historic significance, pictures will be taken, the park will be named, since is was a former USO Building, and a plaque, possible cornerstone, plantings and signage shall be placed at the site as a part of a formal dedication ceremony,” Erichsen said.

Still, Nolan said the county has put many old buildings to good public use and wonders why the USO building can’t be preserved. She said many African-American youngsters have gone astray, since they don’t feel any connection to the past.

“I want to restore their pride and sense of dignity,” Nolan concluded.

This article incorrectly referred to the USO building as "Little Dixie" and has been corrected.