Local resident Tim Shields has offered the property he owns at 340 Baltimore Street to Gettysburg Borough to develop as a community/visitors center.
The borough council has to make a decision whether or not to accept the building. Shields asked that a decision be made by the end of the year.
“A gift of this size is exceptionally rare, especially with the limited number of strings attached,” said Borough Manager Charles Gable at the Borough Council planning meeting on July 22. “It’s quite impressive what he’s offering us.”
Gable recommended accepting what he called a “six-figure” gift.
340 Baltimore Ave., Gettysburg
Shields will provide a sketch plan of how the house could be used, which would include storage, ADA public restrooms accessible from inside and outside, display space, office spaces, conference room, a family restroom, a common area, rentable indoor and outdoor spaces for events, and a break room.
The property has been vacant for some time.
Deb Adamik of Main Street Gettysburg said at the meeting that there is a real need for public restrooms and that the building is visible and its restoration would create visible movement toward the goals of the Baltimore Street project.
Gable said there are conversations with private parties for potential construction dollars and operation of a visitor center.
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