Salisbury, MD — SVN | Miller Commercial Real Estate is proud to announce that Senior Advisor, Meredith Mears, and Advisor, Chris Messick, facilitated the sale of 31193 Mount Hermon Road in Salisbury, Maryland. Buyer, Chimes International, plans to establish The Chimes School Eastern Shore, a new and specialized educational resource that will expand access to services for students with autism, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and related behavioral support needs throughout Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The new school addresses a longstanding need for specialized educational programming in the region and is expected to provide life-changing opportunities for students and families who have historically faced limited local options or lengthy commutes to access appropriate services.
Meredith Mears represented Chimes International, while Chris Messick represented the seller.
“Projects like this are about far more than real estate,” said Mears. “This closing represents a meaningful investment in the future of our community and in the families who call the Eastern Shore home. I am honored to have represented Chimes in securing a location that will enable them to expand access to these critical services.”
Messick added, “It is a privilege to be part of this story. Real estate can often be about the building itself, but moments like this remind us that it’s ultimately about people and purpose. I’m grateful to have played a small role in bringing together two organizations whose missions are rooted in caring for and supporting others.”
The Chimes School Eastern Shore will build upon Chimes International’s nearly 80-year legacy of serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs. The school is expected to provide specialized education, therapeutic services, and individualized support programs designed to help students achieve greater independence and success.
“This is an exciting and important step in the process of opening our new school in the Salisbury area. We have become increasingly aware of the large unmet need on the Eastern Shore of Maryland for specialized education for students with developmental disabilities,” said Steve DaRe, President and CEO of Chimes. “The original Chimes School was opened in 1947 to meet the unmet needs for students with disabilities, and we are excited to see this natural expansion of our mission taking place nearly eight decades later. This property and location are perfect for Chimes School Eastern Shore to start making an impact.”
Healthy Minds for Shore – a community collaborative created by the Greater Salisbury Committee that’s dedicated to mental and behavioral health needs on the Lower Shore, has been a leading voice in identifying the need for expanded behavioral health and educational resources for children and families throughout the region. The organization views the establishment of The Chimes School Eastern Shore as a significant step toward strengthening a full array of special education services and support on the Eastern Shore.
“This project represents years of collaboration and advocacy from organizations, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders who recognized a critical need on the Eastern Shore,” said Dr. Katherine Jones, Executive Director of Bay Area Center for Independent Living and Member of the Healthy Minds for Shore Taskforce. “The addition of The Chimes School Eastern Shore will strengthen the continuum of care available to families and create opportunities for students to receive specialized services closer to home.”
Mike Dunn, President and CEO of the Greater Salisbury Committee, praised the acquisition as a milestone for the region.
“The establishment of The Chimes School Eastern Shore is a tremendous win for our community and the broader Eastern Shore,” said Dunn. “Access to specialized educational and behavioral health resources has been a priority identified by local leaders for years. This investment reflects the power of public-private collaboration and demonstrates our region’s commitment to ensuring every child has access to the support and opportunities they deserve.”
If you would like to speak with Meredith Mears or Chris Messick, email meredith.mears@svn.com or chris.messick@svn.com or call 410-543-2440.
About SVN:
SVN | Miller Commercial Real Estate is a regional firm specializing in commercial real estate, providing advisory, brokerage, consultation, leasing, and asset & property management services to clients in the Mid-Atlantic Region. (#SVNgivesback) The firm’s unique Shared Valued Network reflects its commitment to transparency, innovation, and inclusivity enabling collaboration with the entire commercial real estate industry for the benefit of clients and community.
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About Chimes:
Based in Baltimore, Chimes 3,500 team members serve more than 26,000 people throughout the region with disabilities and mental health challenges. In addition to employment services, Chimes operates a special education school and provides day programs and community living options for people with disabilities. The organization currently operates a day program and several community living homes in Fairfax County, VA. Chimes also provides a wide array of mental health services, including crisis services and counseling as well as substance use disorder services and prevention programs.
