Spring Break
Final East Campus sketches meet mixed reactions
Brady Holt
Developers revealed the final renderings of the university's East Campus project last week to a largely positive response.
Foulger-Pratt Argo is set to submit its plans to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission next week for the $900 million, 38-acre mixed-use project. Construction is expected to begin in 2010 on the project, which will be located at the corner of Route 1 and Paint Branch Parkway.
Of the several dozen local residents and student leaders who attended last week's public forum, most liked the overall project, but some expressed concern about the appearance and eventual contents of the buildings.
Outgoing Graduate Student Government President Laura Moore described the housing components of the project as "bleak" and "cookie-cutter." College Park District 4 Councilwoman Mary Cook said the buildings were boring and oversized and the development in general lacked a "college feel."
"The residents of College Park wanted a college town. This [development] is Bethesda; this is Clarendon," Cook said.
FP-Argo is known for developing downtown Silver Spring, where they worked with then-Montgomery County Executive Doug Duncan, who is now working on the East Campus project as the university's vice president for administrative affairs.
FP-Argo did not provide the renderings for The Diamondback to publish, but the housing depicted was rectangular brick low-rise apartment buildings that stretched along Route 1 and streets within the development.
Some members of the community expressed doubt that the development would be able to lure specific businesses such as a discount grocery store and a beauty shop, two suggestions from residents. Residents are also concerned housing would not be affordable. Members of the council simply wanted the project to avoid domination by chain stores, they said.
Other buildings, such as the Birchmere music hall and a glass-covered movie theater, generated less contention, partioally because some viewers such as Student Government Association President Jonathan Sachs, said it didn't matter so much what the buildings looked like, provided they were affordable.
Last week's forum was billed as an opportunity for members of the community to ask questions and submit last-minute feedback. Developers said the most common question they heard was how soon the project would be built.
"Build it ASAP!" read one suggestion card.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 6
Jerry
posted 6/26/08 @ 8:36 AM EST
Sad to hear that the planned East Campus project lacks a college town feel. Very disappointing. We don't need downtown Silver Spring or downtown Clarenton. (Continued…)
Uncle Rico
posted 6/26/08 @ 3:21 PM EST
Downtown Silver Spring is a damn sight better than the current College Park. Build this thing ASAP.
Of course, we're all still waiting to hear how 38 acres of redeveloped land will constitute a "college town. (Continued…)
jimbo
posted 7/01/08 @ 4:49 PM EST
I'd like someone to explain how the "MNCPPC" came into existence, why localities and the county abdicated so much power to them, and why they need so many tax dollars from me. (Continued…)
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