As the state legislature wraps for the year, the proposed 2009 budget — which includes funds for downtown projects — awaits Gov Martin O’Malley’s signature, MoCo’s legislative delegation announced Friday.

If the budget is approved, the projects would have survived the slicing and dicing done to trim the state’s $1.7 billion deficit.

Among the possible winners is downtown’s Fillmore project, which could score $2 million in bond funding. That money adds to the existing $6 million pot to construct a music venue on Colesville Road, on a site currently occupied by a former JC Penney store.

Silver Spring’s future library, to be constructed along Fenton Street between Wayne Avenue and Bonifant Street, also could score $335,000. The money would be part of a new state program to improve local libraries, Gary Stith, director of the Silver Spring Regional Center, told The Penguin. In this case, the county would use the money to build the new library rather than cover programs at the existing Colesville Road facillity, Stith explained.

A couple of local organizations could be singing ka-ching! if Gov O’Malley approves this budget. The Maryland Youth Ballet could score $200,000 in bond funds to cover construction costs at its year-old Ellsworth Drive studio. The Easter Seals also could score $550,000 in bond funds to pay for construction of its inter-generational center on Spring Street.

Outside the central business district, the YMCA Youth and Family Services Center in Indian Spring could get $200,000 in bond funding. That money would be used to buy its existing facility, which it rents from the neighboring Christ Congregational Church, and redirect other funds towards adult and kiddie programs. According to the legislative bill, it’ll take $625,000 to buy the property in full.

The governor has a month and a half to review the bills before approving or vetoing them.

Lead photo courtesy of Flickr user TW Collins.