Amid criticism from Baltimore Del. Nick Mosby, Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman is calling for an “immediate inspection” of the housing facilities at Laurel Park racetrack.
Mosby in a Monday letter asked Anne Arundel lawmakers, Sen. Pam Beidle and Del. Mark Chang, to withdraw their legislation that would change the way the state funds upgrades to horse racing tracks until officials inspect what he called “deplorable” housing conditions.
The legislation, if passed, would help fund capital improvements for a “super track” at Laurel Park that could potentially be the new home for the Preakness Stakes.
Pittman responded to Mosby’s letter Tuesday afternoon.
“This afternoon, I directed the head of our Inspections and Permits Department to inspect and assess the housing facilities at the racetrack as soon as possible,” Pittman said in a statement. “Our first concern is for the workers – we don’t want these workers to become homeless or end up in a location where they cannot get to their jobs.”
Beidle said she would lead her delegation on a tour through the dormitories after the General Assembly ends its legislative session in April. She does not plan to rescind the legislation.
“I think we’ll still do that if it fits in everyone’s schedule,” she said. “We don’t want anyone living in an unhealthy or unsafe environment.”
The senator also mentioned the track is undergoing renovations, which include a new barn and improvements to workers’ residences.
Mosby in the letter said living conditions for the mostly Hispanic workers have not been improved in 16 years, The Baltimore Sun reported. The Baltimore lawmaker called the dorms “slum-like.”
Photographs provided to Mosby of the dormitories depict 10-feet-by-10-feet concrete rooms. Mosby told The Sun the rooms do not have water, plumbing or adequate air circulation. Two people share one room and both buildings — each with 32 people — share one bathroom with two stalls and one shower.
A representative from the Stronach Group, which owns the racetracks at Laurel and Pimlico, told The Sun the photos Mosby referenced are of older dorms on the property, not the apartment-style residences at newer buildings.
Stronach Group in a statement said it “agrees that living conditions for backstretch workers is important.” The company has “refurbished the track kitchen used by backstretch employees, The Sun reported.
