State-of-the-art equestrian facility to be future home for the Baltimore Police Mounted Unit

Mayor Catherine E. Pugh, Interim Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle, and business and community leaders joined officials from the First Mile Stable Charitable Foundation and B&O Railroad Museum today to ceremoniously break ground on the First Mile Stable, a $2.5 million, state-of-the-art home for the Baltimore Police Mounted Unit, the oldest continuously operated mounted unit in the United States. The Foundation also announced the funding for two additional horses for the unit and launched a community giving campaign to raise the remaining funds for the project.

Once complete, the 13,000-square foot equestrian facility, which sits on a 2.4-acre plot of museum property, will include 12 stalls and associated support rooms, an exercise area, a classroom/museum/community center and an outdoor paddock. Construction is expected to take approximately nine months.

“We are proud to have the oldest continuously operated Mounted Unit in the country. The new stable will allow us to continue building positive relationships in the community,” said Interim Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle.

In August 2017, officials announced plans to fundraise for and build First Mile Stable. Since then, the First Mile Stable Charitable Foundation has raised more than $1 million of the $2.5 million project goal. The Foundation, today, also announced the launch of public fundraising campaign asking the general public to support the First Mile Stable by making donations through its website, www.firstmilestable.org. Funds raised through individual, corporate and foundation gifts will support construction costs as well as support future public education programs, exhibits, tours and other interpretive tools for community members and guests. Additionally, funds will go towards a perpetual maintenance endowment for the stable.

(L-R) Courtney Wilson (First Mile Stable Charitable Foundation president), Sgt. Russ Robar (Baltimore City Police Mounted Unit), Councilman John Bullock (Baltimore City, 9th District), Interim Police Commissioner Gary Tuggle (Baltimore City Police Department), Mayor Catherine E. Pugh (Baltimore City), Francis Smyth (B&O Railraod Museum board chair), Kris Hoellen (B&O Railroad Museum executive director)(Renderings courtesy of Kinsley Construction. Photo courtesy of B&O Railraod Museum)

“This project is not possible without the support of many, and we’re so appreciative of those who have pledged a gift. We’ve been fortunate to have surpassed a major landmark toward our goal, but the need is still there and is still great,” said Courtney Wilson, president of the First Mile Stable Charitable Foundation.

The First Mile Stable is part of the B&O Railroad Museum’s master plan that will re-imagine and guide the future development of the Museum over the next decade.

“It is rare to see a project like the First Mile Stable that creates a connection between an array of stakeholders – the police, community members, equestrians, educators, as well as transportation/railroad enthusiasts,” said Kris Hoellen, executive director of the B&O Railroad Museum. “Our goal is to position our master plan to be holistic, meeting the needs of many, while creating experiences that touch one’s heart and feed one’s thirst for knowledge all in a stimulating, safe and secure environment.”

"The board and staff of the B&ORRM are pleased to enthusiastically support the location of this new resource on our 40-acre National Historic Landmark campus. Its completion will be a foundation for the future growth and prosperity of this world class museum."

The Baltimore Police Mounted Unit, founded in 1888, currently consists of six horses (Big D, Pax, Porter, Slurpee, Blair and Hercules (just retired)). The donation of funds from the First Mile Stable Charitable Foundation to acquire two more horses will help the unit as it works to meet its goal of expanding the unit up to 10.

Kinsley is the architect and contractor for the First Mile Stable. Century Engineering is the engineer for the project, and Pinkard Properties is the project manager. Input from members of the mounted unit was instrumental throughout the design and development of the project.

For more information, visit https://www.firstmilestable. org/.