WASHINGTON COUNTY, MD (March 27, 2026) – On March 19, 2026, a letter addressed to the Historic District Commission, Washington County Planning and Zoning Department was received from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The letter indicated that DHS was proposing to purchase, occupy and rehabilitate the warehouse at 10900 Hopewell Road (A/K/A 16220 Wright Road), Williamsport, MD, in support of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The letter was provided to continue consultation regarding this undertaking subject to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
Elements of site improvements mentioned in the letter include but are not limited to, “installing, upgrading, or rehabilitating existing parking areas, fencing, site lighting, landscaping, utilities, drainage/stormwater, recreation areas, and security cameras.” Additionally, a prefabricated guard shack will be installed; and, “no site improvements are expected to be taller than the existing structure or expand beyond the current site boundaries.” Modifications to the exterior and interior of the existing warehouse facility may include, but are not limited to: “painting or sealing the exterior of the structure; installing, removing, or modifying bays (e.g., truck bays, window bays, or doors); repairing or replacing the existing roof or cladding materials; adding security equipment; adding exterior personnel/guest access controls; construction of holding and processing spaces, office space, public-facing visitor spaces; and, installation of amenities, such as cafeterias, bathrooms, and health care spaces”.
The proposed undertaking may include ground disturbances for “waterline, sanitary sewer, and utility improvements, fiber-optic and telecommunication cabling, installation of new freestanding light poles, installation of a new generator, pier installation for recreational area awnings and basketball hoops, perimeter security fence installation, and installation of a prefabricated guard shack”. All disturbed areas would be backfilled and restored to pre-construction conditions.
The letter was sent under a federal law that requires DHS to inform the local government of its determination on whether the project impacts historic property. In the letter, DHS communicated that the undertaking results “in a finding of No Historic Properties Affected.” The federal law in question does not give the County any opportunity to overrule that determination. The letter indicates that ICE will be reaching out in the near future to schedule a consulting meeting. Questions and written correspondence for this undertaking may be submitted to ICE Environmental staff via e-mail at [email protected].
Generally, the Federal Government does not need to respect local zoning regulations that conflict with federal mandates (often referred to as the Supremacy Clause). As such, federal government entities historically have not sought the zoning approval of Washington County Government for projects and has not done so with respect to the property at 16220 Wright Road.
It is Washington County’s position that decisions about land use are best made locally. However, the legal reality when property is owned by the Federal Government is clear. Washington County is not able to legally restrict the federal government’s ability to proceed.
For additional information, please contact Washington County’s Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380.
###
