Rising costs could snag ag center

Traffic concerns and soaring costs could jeopardize highly touted plans for an agricultural center in Baltimore County, lawmakers said Thursday.

What was originally proposed as a $2 million project off Shawan Road in Hunt Valley will now likely cost more than $10 million, county auditors told lawmakers during a budget hearing Thursday. The project is a top priority for County Executive Jim Smith ? the Democrat?s proposed 2009 budget includes $3 million for the center ? but some lawmakers questioned the expense during the economic downturn.