BALTIMORE (March 16, 2009) – St. John Properties, Inc., together with Middle River Business Center, LLC, will present a check today for $10,000 to the Baltimore County Police Athletic League (PAL), at 4:00 pm at the Woodmoor PAL Center, located at 7111 Croydon Road in Baltimore. A number of business executives and local officials are expected to participate, including Dr. Nancy Grasmick, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools; Jim Johnson, Chief, Baltimore County Police Department; and PJ Widerman, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Baltimore County Police Athletic League.

The donation represents a portion of the proceeds generated from last fall’s inaugural Baltimore Crossroads@95 5K CrossCountry Challenge Race, in which more than 500 individuals participated in an innovative road/trail run that traversed throughout the business park. The Maryland State School System has pledged to play an integral role in the planning and community service component for this year’s race, scheduled for October 31. The race this fall will offer various categories and classifications for a number of audiences and groups, as well as a family-oriented one-mile walk or run.

The $10,000 donation is earmarked to benefit the Baltimore County PAL Centers which, since 1977, have provided a safe, constructive alternative to idleness for many youngsters throughout the region. PAL Centers are staffed by Baltimore County police officers and recreation coordinators who, along with community volunteers, try to enhance the positive moral development of the youth through enjoyable activities. Every PAL Center has a recreational section so that youths can enjoy table tennis, billiards, video games, and other forms of entertainment. The PAL program also offers homework centers, tutorial assistance, craft programs, and other activities designed to expand its members’ intellectual and imaginative abilities. The Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks is a partner with the Police Department in operation of the PAL Centers and has been an essential part of the Centers’ success.

“Our first 5K exceeded our expectations concerning the number of businesses and individuals that participated in the event, as well as the amount we were able to contribute to the beneficiary organizations,” stated Ed St. John, President of St. John Properties. “We were equally impressed with the energy, enthusiasm and can-do attitude exhibited by the Baltimore County Police Department. St. John Properties would like to especially thank Jim Johnson, Chief of the Baltimore County Police Department, for his leadership and motivational efforts to arrange for the many hands-on exhibits and scores of volunteers. The show of support was exactly what we needed.”

Chief Johnson thanked St. John Properties and Middle River Business Center for the generous donation, saying, “Partnerships such as this, linking the private sector and the Police Department, are a tremendous asset as we continue to enhance our services to youth.”

“PAL will put this generous donation to good use and it will benefit directly the youth of Baltimore County that are so positively influenced by our programs on a daily basis,” stated PJ Widerman, Chairman of the Board for PAL. “It is gratifying to hear that we already have a running start for the 2009 edition of the 5K, and we are appreciative that our group has been identified as a primary beneficiary organization.”

Middle River Business Center, LLC is an entity of Somerset Construction Company, a partner in Baltimore Crossroads @95, a 1100-acre mixed-use business community.

St. John Properties, Inc., founded in 1971 as MIE Properties, owns and has developed more than 14 million square feet of R&D/flex, warehouse, office and retail space in Maryland, Colorado, Louisiana, Virginia and Wisconsin. For more information about the company, visit sjp.mu9b0uf9-liquidwebsites.com.

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For more information, Contact:
Al Cunniff, Director of Marketing, St. John Properties, Inc.
410-369-1277