Delegate Says Md. Shouldn't Control Canal Place

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) -- A state delegate from western Maryland says the state should give up control of the struggling Canal Place tourism development in downtown Cumberland.

The Cumberland Times-News reported Sunday that Allegany County Democrat Kevin Kelly says the state should let the city and county take over Canal Place. He says it would then be under the control of elected officials who are directly accountable to local taxpayers.

The General Assembly established the Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority in 1993 as Maryland's first official heritage area. It includes the restored Western Maryland Railway Station and a small collection of shops near the western end of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.

The authority is projecting losses of $27,000 this year and $125,000 next year.

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