Baltimore County Development News

[rockin'.baltimorean]

it's really a shame that the market is the way it is. they have the potential to build a really large mixed-use project there. red run boulevard has tons of space available. perhaps we'll possibly see something in the near future....

[oneworld25]

Gerald Neily of the Baltimore Innerspace Blog has written an interesting piece on how to improve Owings Mills.

Here's an excerpt.

http://baltimoreinnerspace.blogspot....ngs-mills.html

Ironically, development in Owings Mills has boomed everywhere EXCEPT near the Metro transit station. Development patterns are almost the precise inverse of what they ought to be. The prime land nearest to the transit station has been devoted exclusively to parking, while the major development has been located far in the distance. The photo above shows the transit station sandwiched between the lanes of Interstate 795. Looking north is one of the huge parking lots serving the station, and well beyond comfortable walking distance from the station is a large office building.



The location of this office building on Painters Mill Road is particularly egregious, since it required the demolition of the historic Samuel Owings House, a gracious 18th century mansion where the community's namesake lived. When knocked down, this house was no abandoned hulk - it had recently housed a very fine restaurant. Its demolition was solely a result of thoughtless planning.

The MTA plan to eventually redevelop the surface parking lots around the rail transit station is nice, but it is not the key to fixing the problem. The crucial task is to make the transit station the activity focal point for all of Owings Mills.

[urbanyte]

Originally Posted by rockin'.baltimorean

it's really a shame that the market is the way it is. they have the potential to build a really large mixed-use project there. red run boulevard has tons of space available. perhaps we'll possibly see something in the near future....

Hopefully it will see more commercial development (like cafes and restaurants), the area is very nice right now and a pleasure to drive through. There's lots of potential for foot traffic from the mall and maybe offer more options being so close to Reiserstown road (small detour if that). Honestly that area combined with parts of Hunt Valley are some of my favorite parts of MD and doubles up nicely as a great spot to chill with friends

Also is anyone aware of any major projects either U/C or scheduled in Hunt Valley near Shawan Rd and Int'l Drive (or in the general area)?

[rockin'.baltimorean]

no, not major ones...

[urbanyte]

alright thanks, does seem like a rather dull area but was hoping something worth checking out was going on.

[oneworld25]

Here's some recent news on the Owings Mills Metro Development:

http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.co...centre-resume/


Will construction at Metro Centre resume?
County says negotiations not stalled, just complicated

By Bryna Zumer
bzumer@patuxent.com
Posted 10/22/08
While posters around the Owings Mills Metro station still promise the 2009 arrival of the mixed-use Metro Centre development, the project seems to be moving at a snail’s pace.

Sandra Kurtinitis, president of the Community College of Baltimore County, which would have a new campus at Metro Centre, said college administrators had been told last week that construction on the site would probably begin next fall, two years later than originally planned.

County spokeswoman Ellen Kobler said she could not confirm that because negotiations have not been finalized.

A groundbreaking had been set in the fall of 2007, but county officials and the developers, David S. Brown Enterprises, Ltd., and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co., went back to the drawing board after the county said it wanted the building 18 percent larger than originally planned — in part to make the planned library larger — and said it needed to include environmentally sensitive features.

The developers replied that the changes would nearly double the $16.7 million cost of the building.

Kobler said the county is continuing to negotiate with the developers.

“We don’t consider (the project) to be stalled at all,” she said. “Both parties continue to negotiate in good faith. It is just a very complicated project.”

She declined to discuss the nature of the complications.

Calls placed to David S. Brown for comment were not returned. Ron Eisenberg, division vice president at Whiting-Turner, declined to comment.

Councilmember Ken Oliver said the economy is the major reason for the impasse, but would not elaborate. He said he remains optimistic that the project will eventually be built.

Arnold Keller III, director of the county’s Office of Planning, had said at a May 6 breakfast with the Reisterstown-Owings Mills-Glyndon Chamber of Commerce that he also was confident the developer would ultimately build Metro Centre.

“People don’t spend that kind of money on parking garages to sit vacant,” he told the chamber. “That project will happen.” The development’s garage was finished last year.

Nor did Kurtinitis seem concerned about the project’s being stalled.

“We are pretty confident, and sometimes with projects this big there are delays beyond everyone’s control,” she said. “I think it’s all in place. I think it’s a matter of getting all the I’s dotted and the T’s crossed.”

She said she looks forward to having an expanded Owings Mills site for the community college, which would be shared with the new library branch.

“We are really enthusiastic about having that new building to really do the kinds of things we have been wanting to do in the Owings Mills area,” she said.

Many subway riders who park in the new garage said they had seen the posters for Metro Centre but did not know the details of the project.

Those who were familiar with Metro Centre seemed skeptical of the need for it and whether it would benefit the area, although they said they were enjoying the new garage.

They also said the project does seem slow in coming.

“I guess I’m not surprised, because of the economy. I assume that’s the reason,” said Ed Flavin, a Westminster resident.

He said he is also unsure if the area needs more retail.

“I look at Owings Mills Mall and half of it is empty, so I am not sure, if they build (Metro Centre) here, if there is business enough to support it.”

Natasha Skorik, of Reisterstown, said she thinks the project is probably a good idea for people without cars, but it could also hurt nearby retail.

“It’s probably going to kill that mall,” she said.

She thought it might be better to invest in the mall’s revitalization, such as adding more bus service between it and the Metro station.

“I think (Metro Centre) is a good idea, but it’s not practical to build another (retail) space,” she said.

[urbanyte]

Originally Posted by oneworld25

“I look at Owings Mills Mall and half of it is empty, so I am not sure, if they build (Metro Centre) here, if there is business enough to support it.”

.....

“It’s probably going to kill that mall,” she said.

That's true. The mall has never really been busy, even during the good times economically, it would be a real shame to see it go the way of the mall in Hunt Valley (before the current development was completed).

At least having a new, at least somewhat modern library would be REALLY nice

[rockin'.baltimorean]

i'm all for this development. we're talkin' about a new CCBC branch for owings mills. that's awesome!!

[seanlax5]

Speaking of Owings Mills and such, what is happening to that old Rosewood Center up there? I researched it and I saw that it was to be completely vacated by june 2009. Any new y'all have heard from around the way in county-land?

[scando]

Originally Posted by seanlax5

Speaking of Owings Mills and such, what is happening to that old Rosewood Center up there? I researched it and I saw that it was to be completely vacated by june 2009. Any new y'all have heard from around the way in county-land?

I think there is already a fight about zoning and density. The old valley people want it to be very low and the developers want it high.

[Maudibjr]

Originally Posted by scando

I think there is already a fight about zoning and density. The old valley people want it to be very low and the developers want it high.

pretty much nails it, it is in development review.

[Infoman]

Yes, BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN officaly has 3 the cheesecake factory's, and if you guy's consider Annapolis part of our area than we will have 4 soon.

[PeterSmith]

Originally Posted by Infoman

Yes, BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN officaly has 3 the cheesecake factory's, and if you guy's consider Annapolis part of our area than we will have 4 soon.

My general rule of thumb is that a city is not world class unless it has at least 6 Cheesecake Factory's. Hopefully, when the economy picks up we will see more Cheesecake Factory proposals and developments. In my opinion, building the Red Line, reducing the homicide rate, and adding another Cheesecake Factory should be the city's top priorities over the next five years.

[Infoman]

Originally Posted by PeterSmith

My general rule of thumb is that a city is not world class unless it has at least 6 Cheesecake Factory's. Hopefully, when the economy picks up we will see more Cheesecake Factory proposals and developments. In my opinion, building the Red Line, reducing the homicide rate, and adding another Cheesecake Factory should be the city's top priorities over the next five years.

Your trying to be sarcastic. My favorite restaurant is The Cheesecake factory that's why I keep on saying it over and over agian. Oh yeah and I guess D.C. is a would be world-class city according to your definiton of world class, there metro area has 6 the cheesecake factory's and almost all of them are in a back to back situation, and AGREE comeletly with you our to priorities over the next five years should: be building the Red Line, reducing the homicide rate, and adding another Cheesecake Factory, but how about adding 2 The Cheesecake Factory's, or as a matter of fact let's make it into a fast-food chain with one on every corner of B-more. Sike I dont like it that much.

[seanlax5]

Cheesecake factory could be the next newyork fried chicken lol

[scando]

Originally Posted by seanlax5

Cheesecake factory could be the next newyork fried chicken lol

God help us...with 10 Cheesecake meals, you get a free double bypass.

[Tricia_Lvs_Baltimore]

How about that! Wouldn't that be something? LOL

[rockin'.baltimorean]

yeah, talk about SUPERunhealthy! goodness!.....lol

[rockin'.baltimorean]

here's another development. i think it's in the county, but the website says otherwise. it's called brighton manor....


http://www.fostercommunities.com/brighton.html

[oneworld25]

Originally Posted by rockin'.baltimorean

here's another development. i think it's in the county, but the website says otherwise. it's called brighton manor....


http://www.fostercommunities.com/brighton.html

The location is right on the outskirts of the city not too far from the Reisterstown Road Plaza Metro Station. Despite being within the city limits the area is very much designed like an exurb with office parks and oversized roads. It would seem this new development is continuing this trend, through building cookie-cutter suburban homes.