Before our update, we’re recommending some TV viewing to you. A few months ago the Chamber of Commerce sponsored a program by an author named Richard Florida, who presented some very compelling theories on the future of American cities. Specifically, he discussed what sectors of our economy will dominate the workforce over the next generations, how those people will choose where to work and live and how those trends will influence where businesses locate. We walked away even more convinced of the infinite economic opportunities that the new downtown will create for Howard County.
The presentation will be shown on GTV (Comcast 99, Verizon 44, not on DirecTV) as follows. Again, we encourage you to check it out, because it will help you understand why this downtown plan isn’t just about more restaurants and shops, but how it’s critical to the next generations of Howard Co.
• TONIGHT, June 15, 1:00pm
• Wednesday, June 17, 9:00am and 8:00pm
• Thursday, June 18, 11:00pm
As for the plan approval, the Planning Board must not share our urgency. We hear that a couple members of the Planning Board are still opposing the same old issues – residential density and Symphony Woods – which is why the plan/recommendations still haven’t been sent to the County Council for approval. We are concerned about this because time is of the essence. While we muddle through our fourth year of “discussion” other communities right in our back yard are in the ground creating places where people and businesses want to move. If we don’t see any movement in the next couple of weeks, we’ll be calling on all of you to helps us send a message to the Planning Board.
Last week, we had some technical difficulties, but we’re back online and almost ready to announce our next project. It’s going to be big. And fun. Stay tuned…..
General Growth Properties announced today that it has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, voluntarily seeking relief to reduce and restructure its debts. From all accounts all that this means is that GGP is taking the legal opportunity to restructure its loans, reduce corporate debt and establish a long-term capital structure – business as usual will continue and day-to-day operations will not be interrupted.
But, as mentioned in today’s Baltimore Sun article “[Gregg] Hamm said Columbia and other master plan General Growth communities were not included in the filing, except one in Nevada.” The Chapter 11 filing does not include Columbia.
So, that means that the redevelopment plans for Columbia are still on the table…let’s continue to look forward to work together to make it happen!
Other local companies have filed for Chapter 11 and are still functioning every day – companies like the Baltimore Sun and WR Grace. General Growth is not going anywhere and the company is still dedicated to the redevelopment of Columbia.
An ethics complaint has been flied against Del. Liz Bobo, an adamant critic of the downtown redevelopment plan, for using her state email to influence CA elections. So why do we care? CA has a strong voice with County officials and, as we have suspected for years, much of the CA leadership is in the tank for Bobo. Is CA’s opposition to the plan based on the best interests of its homeowners or is it merely the will of Bobo and her cronies. And why is killing the plan so important to het that she’s willing to risk her political career? Below are links to the complaint and public information request.
The video testimony has been posted in the 3 windows below (we are limited to 8 minutes per clip, thus the 3 separate clips!). We’ve had several requests for another video opportunity, so we’re working on another date accommodate more of you who want to be heard but can’t get to the hearings. We’re hopeful that the Planning Board will recognize the importance of accepting this video testimony in order to make the process more inclusive to you.
We’ve even included the only person who came with an opposing view. But, it should highlight the obvious differences between who supports the plan and who does not.
Just a reminder about our Happy Hour event tonight from 5-7 at Zapatas in the Harpers Choice Village Center. We are ready for our voices to be heard! Hope to see you there!
This event made the news today. Check us out here.
Thursday Jan 22
5:00-7:00
Zapata’s (Harpers Choice Village Center) www.ZapatasOnLine.com
5485 Harpers Farm Rd. 21044
410-715-6929
Show your support for the county’s plan to redevelop downtown Columbia into the urban, vibrant and innovative COMPLETE CITY it was intended to be! Join us for food and networking - then drive right over to the the Planning Board hearing just around the corner at Wilde Lake HS. This is the first opportunity for citizens to speak out in support of the plan to the county’s Planning Board and numbers are important.
Just can’t attend the hearing? We’ll have a video booth set up at Zapata’s to record your testimony! Help show Howard County’s elected officials how important their approval of this plan is to us. After lots of long meetings, workshops and events, we’re in the playoffs now. We need to win Planning Board approval to move on in the process!
This event is open to anyone who wants to show their support!
