January 30, 2025
Save It Or Demolish It? La Plata Officials Weigh Winkler House’s Fate
Jessica Jennings
Screenshot from PDF presentation at Board of Commissioners Jan. 28, 2025 Meeting
LA PLATA, Md. — During the Jan. 28, 2025, Board of Commissioners meeting, officials discussed the fate of the Winkler House at 208 Washington Ave., which was once believed to require demolition to make way for the new La Plata Library.
Initial plans for a local road and stormwater construction project called for the removal of all existing structures in the area. However, project leaders have since determined that the historic Winkler House can remain intact with renovations.
“Our original estimates envisioned that all of the existing structures were going to need to be removed,” said Jenifer Elin, a spokesperson for the project. “But then we found out that the Winkler House does not technically need to be taken down in order to do the road or the stormwater or the construction.”
Community stakeholders had initially recommended demolishing the house to create a pocket park featuring native trees, plants, and green stormwater infrastructure. The park would align with town and county efforts to expand green spaces and provide a shaded reading area. A commemorative exhibit in the library was also suggested to honor the demolished homes.
Screenshot of Jenifer Ellin, Doria Fleisher, and Cathy Thompson from Board of Commissioners Meeting
Former resident and Town of La Plata ex-Councilman Wayne Winkler expressed interest in preserving the house in a letter, if feasible. Commissioner Thomasina “Sina” Bowling acknowledged his letter and proposed giving the Town of La Plata 30 days to decide whether to take over renovations, which are estimated at $582,000, as the county would not fund them.
Doria Fleisher, assistant chief of media and community engagement, emphasized that all stakeholders prioritize keeping the library project on schedule, whether by creating a park or preserving the house.
A September 2024 stakeholder engagement meeting revealed that while the house is not on the National Register of Historic Places, it was once deemed eligible by the Maryland Historical Trust.
The Board now awaits the town’s response before proceeding with a vote on the future of the Winkler House.
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