Baltimore County is increasing public support for the renovation of the Pikesville Armory, agreeing to commit an additional $9.5 million to the project, on top of $6 million already pledged. The additional funds, according to a memorandum of understanding signed this month, will go toward “the planning, design, and construction of outdoor athletic fields, a walking path, and destination playgrounds,” county officials said.The announcement builds on the partnership established between the Pikesville Armory Foundation and Baltimore County and demonstrates that the County “can continue delivering modern and high-quality opportunities for our residents to build connections, stay active, and celebrate everything that makes our communities a special place to call home,” said County Executive Johnny ​​Olszewski in a prepared statement about the project.The Pikesville Armory, located just off Reisterstown Road less than a mile from the Baltimore City line, encompasses about 14 acres. There’s a smaller field in the front, next to Reisterstown Road, and a much larger expanse in the back. The armory campus was built in the early 20th century to accommodate some 2,000 people rather than the more common armory population of about a tenth that number. The extra size served two purposes, said David Ginsburg, executive director of the Pikesville Armory Foundation. One was to house an artillery regiment — he said the artillery regiment was the first unit to fire on D-Day — and the other was to fit in a polo field. “The elite at Green Spring Valley wanted a place to play polo,” Ginsburg said.The military moved out over a decade ago, and ownership of the Armory campus eventually transferred to the nonprofit foundation. A comprehensive survey of community needs was undertaken, and when renovations are completed the Pikesville Armory will be home to new basketball and pickleball courts, a walking path, ADA-friendly playgrounds, abundant space for soccer and lacrosse, meeting facilities, and spaces for other indoor and outdoor uses, including maker spaces, theaters, arts spaces, cafés, and co-working spaces.The three-acre front field, where the Non-Commissioned Officers Club is currently undergoing renovation, was readied to host several events in the summer of 2024. “We worked to get the field cleaned up a bit and be able to host outdoor events.” said Katie Marshall, communication director for the real estate development firm Seawall, which is a partner in redeveloping the property and which helped with the transformation of Baltimore’s Lexington Market, among other projects. The Baltimore-based real-estate development company ONYX is also part of the project.Renovation of the NCO Club got underway last year and is expected to be completed in spring 2025. The NCO Club will be used for meeting and event space and administrative offices.What County Support MeansWhile Baltimore County’s commitment of $9.5 million is just a small part of total project costs estimated at up to $100 million — Ginsburg said the county’s buy-in is critically important for donors considering getting involved. Often, donors ask “is this really going to happen?” Ginsburg said. County support gives potential donors greater confidence that it will.Ginsburg also said that in future years the County Recreation and Parks division will operate and maintain the fields, and the County Department of Aging will maintain the planned senior center. Funding for those activities, he said, has already been budgeted.The office of Izzy Patoka, County Councilman for the 2nd councilmanic district and in whose district the Pikesville Armory sits, released a statement welcoming the project. “For years, Pikesville residents and stakeholders have actively banded together to push for opportunities to create a community gathering place to benefit families and individuals of all ages.”The statement called the armory project “a regional anchor for generations to come, transforming this portion of the Reisterstown Road corridor into a vibrant public space and destination.” The Pikesville Armory Foundation expects to break ground on the comprehensive armory renovation in 2026. It will likely take at least two years to complete.