Public Invited on Thursday, February 26, at 7 p.m. to View Most Advanced Look Yet at Plans for New Downtown
ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 23, 2004—The groundbreaking for the new Town Center of Rockville is only months away, and now, interested residents and members of the business community can get the best look yet at detailed plans for the project at a ‘Town Center Open House’ on Thursday, Feb. 26, starting at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
Last week, the Mayor and Council and Rockville’s Planning Commission each unanimously approved use permits for the $300 million Phase I of the development. Phase I, which is being called “Rockville Town Square” by developers RD Rockville, LLC, and Federal Realty Investment Trust, encompasses Town Center’s central 15 acres bordered by Beall Avenue on the north; Middle Lane on the south; North Washington Street on the west and Maryland Route 355 on the east. Eventually Town Center will expand to cover more than 60 acres.
Staff members from Rockville’s Department of Community Planning and Development Services, representatives of RD Rockville and Federal Realty, and project architects will be available at the open house. Last week, architects unveiled detailed plans for buildings on two of the blocks that will be part of Phase I. A detailed, three-dimensional cardboard model of Rockville Town Square also will be displayed at the open house.
Rockville Town Square promises to have a unique look compared to most downtown redevelopments. Each building will have a distinctive appearance and differing amenities to make the area look like it developed over time. More than 30 building facades are planned. Many of their features were inspired by historic Rockville buildings.
Rockville Town Square will include a mix of retail, restaurant, cultural, entertainment, residential and office uses. It also will include the new Rockville Regional Library and a public square. Three public parking garages, creating about 1,900 spaces, will be built to support the development.
It is intended that groundbreaking will take place this spring and the first buildings will be open in 2006.
The library was designed to be a signature building for Rockville. It will be the largest library in the Montgomery County Library System and will include an extensive computer room and two significant meeting rooms that will be available to the public.
Information on Town Center is available on Rockville’s City Web site at www.rockvillemd.gov and from Rockville’s Department of Community Planning and Development Services at City Hall at 240-314-8200.
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