Village center awaits a boost
Study of plans for Oakland Mills draws mixed reviews from residents
As Columbia begins to celebrate its 50th anniversary and as the planned community’s urbancore isredeveloped, Oakland Mills Village Center awaits a resurgence.
On March 22, residents reviewed a feasibility study that evaluates the chance of private investment in the aging village center.
The study, by consulting firm Bolan Smart Associates, notes that market conditions limit the viability of office development and the construction of a major indoor sports complex, a feature advocated by some residents and community leaders. The study, however, places high hopes in the potential transformational impact of market-rate town houses and, to a lesser extent, senior housing.
Someresidents, while appreciativeof the consultant’s work, said the study suggested more of the same —more town houses —instead of laying out creative, ambitious solutions.
Ginny Thomas, co-chairwoman of the Oakland Mills Community Association, said she wants the county to set up ataskforce with stakeholders,such as property owners and the Columbia Association, to push for private-sector development.
“The report is a safe, conservative plan for the near future but lacks vision regarding the long-range potential development for Oakland Mills,” Thomas said. “It ignores the potential for redevelopment of the apartment land surrounding the village center.”
By design, the scope of the study, funded with $50,000 from the county and $25,000 from the Columbia Association, was limited to evaluating market conditions and does not provide a master plan for development,according to Eric Smart, managing principal of Bolan Smart.
“This is a piece of a longer-term series of opportunities and events,”
Smart said.
Once burdened with avacantsupermarket, a demolished gas station and shuttered businesses, Oakland Mills
On March 22, residents reviewed a feasibility study that evaluates the chance of private investment in the aging village center.
The study, by consulting firm Bolan Smart Associates, notes that market conditions limit the viability of office development and the construction of a major indoor sports complex, a feature advocated by some residents and community leaders. The study, however, places high hopes in the potential transformational impact of market-rate town houses and, to a lesser extent, senior housing.
Someresidents, while appreciativeof the consultant’s work, said the study suggested more of the same —more town houses —instead of laying out creative, ambitious solutions.
Ginny Thomas, co-chairwoman of the Oakland Mills Community Association, said she wants the county to set up ataskforce with stakeholders,such as property owners and the Columbia Association, to push for private-sector development.
“The report is a safe, conservative plan for the near future but lacks vision regarding the long-range potential development for Oakland Mills,” Thomas said. “It ignores the potential for redevelopment of the apartment land surrounding the village center.”
By design, the scope of the study, funded with $50,000 from the county and $25,000 from the Columbia Association, was limited to evaluating market conditions and does not provide a master plan for development,according to Eric Smart, managing principal of Bolan Smart.
“This is a piece of a longer-term series of opportunities and events,”
Smart said.
Once burdened with avacantsupermarket, a demolished gas station and shuttered businesses, Oakland Mills
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