Architects Will Discuss Block by Block Plans at Joint Meeting Of Mayor and Council and City’s Planning Commission
ROCKVILLE, Md., March 9, 2004—Architects will reveal a more detailed look at Rockville’s new Town Center when the Mayor and Council meet jointly with the City’s Planning Commission in a special worksession starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, at City Hall. The Mayor and Council will hold a general session later in the evening, at which they are expected to approve several use permits that will keep the project on track for a spring groundbreaking.
The public is invited to Thursday’s meeting, and it will be televised live on The Rockville Channel (TRC 11), the City’s cable television station.
In February, the Mayor and Council and the Planning Commission each unanimously approved use permits for the $300 million Phase I of the Town Center 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 more than 60 acres.
Before those use permits were issued, the architects hired by RD Rockville and Federal Realty offered a detailed building-by-building presentation on two blocks of Town Square. On March 11, the architects will return with a detailed look at additional blocks, including explanations on the inspirations for the designs. The architects have stated that many buildings have been inspired by historic buildings from Rockville’s past.
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.
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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