When the University of Maryland Shore Regional Medical Center relocates to its new campus near the Easton Airport in 2028, 14 acres in the center of downtown will become available. What comes next will shape Easton’s downtown for decades.
Opportunities of this size in historic towns are rare. The property sits within walking distance of shops, neighborhoods, schools, and civic spaces. Its future could influence housing, public gathering areas, economic activity, and the overall character of downtown. So the stakes are high, but so is the potential.
To frame the conversation, the Spy created a short video that summarizes the opportunity and the site’s history as we prepare to host a special event at the Avalon with Rebecca Hoffberger, founder of the American Visionary Art Museum, and Peter Katz, a founding leader of the New Urbanism movement, to dream along with the community about what this space might become.
This video is approximately three minutes in length. A special thanks to the Talbot Historical Society for the use of their images of the original hospital.
Spy Nights: Reimagining Easton’s Hospital Site will be held Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre in Easton. Proceeds support the Talbot Spy–Avalon Foundation partnership for public affairs programming. Tickets are available through the Avalon Theatre website.
10 Responses
I agree with the editor wholeheartedly! However my misgivings surround the fact that the property is owned by UMMS. Since the absorbing of Memorial Hospital by UMMS there has been progressive loss of autonomy for the hospital. Decisions affecting local care are made in Baltimore, not Easton. My fear is that this attitude will carry over to the process of selling the property. How much has UMMS involved Town of Easton leadership and planning committees in a planning process? Emphasis should be placed on early involvement of the town. The town should hire consultants to outline potential development opportunities that would benefit the town, and then present them to UMMS as conditions for approval.
I am in wholesale agreement with Dr. Smorzaniuk regarding the property. It could greatly enhance our downtown population and experience, or poorly considered development could do precisely the opposite. Our town leadership must be intimately involved regardless of property ownership. And we cannot ignore the ongoing flooding issues faced on Brookletts and Harrison, legitimate concerns about too much traffic on Brookletts, as well as the site’s proximity to some of the town’s most historic and beautiful homes.
We do not need stores or business state. We do need affordable senior housing. This need will increase significantly in the near future. What better location than in the heart of Easton where you can walk to restaurants, museums, church and other activities. Please make this need part of the equation.
I like the sentiment but this Easton, not sure “affordable” senior housing and downtown correlate. Have you eaten or shopped downtown? People who need affordable housing aren’t buy things downtown.
I would love to see part of building be turned into affordable senior housing. We are having a problem with senior homelessness. This could help solve the problem.
Since the new hospital is being partially funded with public tax dollar the public should have a say in how the old hospital property will be developed.
If my limited memory is correct, the hospital property started lllooonnng ago through DONATIONS from local Talbot countians. Building were also erected through the years from more local donations. New equipment was perched with local donations. How is it that UMMS has the only say in who purchases Easton’s property?
I am not familiar with Easton’s zoning. I live in the County. Can someone tell me what the zoning allows? Zoning could unlock a lot of benefits.
Hospital, it is Zone HC – healthcare, aka a hospital. Town Council has to approve any changes so it would behoove UMMS to finally, for once, work with the community and town, or we will end up with another Safeway situation.
I think people also need to understand that building will need to be razed, it is not useable as it currently stands. $20 million to by and $5 – $10 million to demolish.
Not sure what the point of last night’s event at the Avalon. Nothing came out of that, but given the fact that the presenters appeared to have about 10 minutes of Googling to learn about Easton, not sure we could have gotten much.
The Town is working on an charrette process, they have announced that many times. That is what people need to turn out for and provide feedback.
I went to sign up and see that the Avalon Theater says it has Rebecca Hoffberger and Peter Katz on 3/3 at 6. I don’t see this event posted.
Nevermind. I’m embarassed. Sorry. I jumped too fast because I knew I wanted to attend. Didn’t look at the video or read carefully enough. I see Rebecca Hoffberger and Peter Katz are framing the talk.