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Downtown Wheaton, is perfectly situated in the center of three major thoroughfares, and less than 2 miles north of the Capital Beltway. With the added convenience and accessibility of Metrorail (Red Line) and Metrobus, Wheaton is the ideal location for business or development projects.
To support this effort, the County opened the Wheaton Redevelopment Program (WRP) at 2424 Reedie Drive. The program is based on the concept of encouraging private reinvestment through targeted, complimentary public investment. Projects developed or planned to date, will create over 1,300 residential units, and nearly 600,000 square feet of new retail.The Goals for Wheaton Redevelopment can be seen by clicking goals.
In January 2010 the County, in association with two additional public entities - Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) and Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) - issued a "Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Public-Private Partnership for the Design, Construction and Financing of Transit-Oriented Development for the Wheaton Central Business District". The purpose of this RFQ was to select a private real estate development partner with the experience, capability and financial capacity to complete viable, sustainable redevelopment projects in downtown Weaton. The public partners leveraged 10 public properties in Downtown Wheaton to induce private development, with the expectation that a selected developer would aggregate private property in addition to public sites.
The RFQ articulated redevelopment goals for the Wheaton Central Business District (CBD) as well as the timeline, process and criteria by which developer's submissions would be considered. It should be noted that the goals described in the RFQ reflect community stakeholder expectations that had been garnered in a number of public forums, exercises, and studies conducted under the auspices of the Wheaton Redevelopment Program and the Mid-County Regional Services Center over several years.
The RFQ was conducted in two phases over a six-month timeframe. The initial phase of the RFQ focused on developer qualifications, experience, financial capability and creative vision. The second phase "short-listed" qualified submissions, included oral interviews, and focused on the developer's financial capabilities, capacity for land aggregation, and the ability to successfully execute a project from concept to completion.
In July 2010, the County and WMATA announced the selection of B.F. Saul Company and its development team as the developer selected by the RFQ process. Additional members of the development team include the architectural firm of Torti Gallas and Partners and the engineering firm of Loiederman Soltesz and Associates.
Below, listed alphabetically, are links to the various aspects of the Wheaton Redevelopment Program -- click on underlined elements to expand
Business Retention Program
Commercial Vacancy
Community Participation
Wheaton Redevelopment Advisory Committee and Staff The mission of the Redevelopment Advisory Committee is to advise the County Executive, the Director of the Wheaton Redevelopment Program, and the Director of the Mid-County Regional Services Center on all phases of the revitalization of downtown Wheaton which consists of preserving and improving the neighborhoods and business centers in the downtown area.
Back row left to right: Peter McGinnity, staff; Chris Lindsay; Patrick Naehu; Larysa Kurylas; Chelsea Johnson; Greg Baker, Chair; Susan Petersen; Regina Dull; Maureen Carrington; Ciliny Alce; Eleanor Duckett; and Sharon Lasswell, staff. Front row left to right: Rob Klein, Redevelopment Program Manager; Fran Ware, Jonathan Fink, Vice- Chair; Zoe Lefkowitz, Sara Lappano, Leslie McDermott, Diane Lynne and Thomas Martin. Not pictured: Melissa Brown; Manny Hidalgo; James Mensah; Erin Roberts; Stewart Tsao; and Dave Taghipour.
The Wheaton Redevelopment Advisory Committee invited County Executive Ike Leggett and the County Council to their 9-16-2009 monthly meeting
Developer B.F. Saul held a community meeting on 11-17-2009. More than 150 Wheaton area residents, business and community leaders shared their thoughts on what they'd like to see in Wheaton's New Downtown. After hearing from the development team and county officials, who outlined the process the team will use to develop a project concept plan, participants broke out into small discussion groups to provide their input on the following four topics: desired land use and small business impact; streets and sidewalks; a town square and open space; and overall visions for the new downtown.
Notes were captured from the roundtable groups, which focused on those four subject areas. The feedback summarizes both the points that were reiterated from previous community discussions and the new input that was received. Here is a summary of the feedback.
County Sponsored Events
The County sponsors many events throughout the year
Downtown Living
Residential
Living in Wheaton provides a wide variety of housing opportunities and prices with the convenience of entertainment, shopping and dining -- most within walking distance to the Metro!
Leesborough is a residential development with Townhomes, Condominiums and Single-family homes located just outside the Wheaton Urban District, but still within walking distance to the Wheaton Metro Station.
Brownstones at Wheaton and Archstone Wheaton Station was completed in late 2005 and is located within walking distance to the Wheaton Metro Station. This 400,000 square-foot residential complex has 75 luxury townhomes with 2 car garages and 243 upscale rental apartments.
Clairmont at Wheaton Metro built in 2004 is a small development on 1.7 acres with 42 upscale masonry townhomes with garages, a single-family home and a small park.
MetroPointe is a $53 million mixed-use project located above the Wheaton Kiss & Ride developed by the Housaing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County and Bozzuto Development. The project has 173 residential units, 70% lease at prevailing market rates and 30% are designated affordable housing. They share a 223 space garage with Washington Metropolitian Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Also, there are two retail spaces totaling 3,500 square-feet.
Amherst Square/Amherst Gardens located within walking distance to the Wheaton Metro Station offers one, two, three and four bedroom apartments.
Wheaton Place offers one, two and three bedroom apartments within a short walk to the Wheaton Metro Station.
Pembridge Square is located within walking distance of fine dining and shopping. In December 2004, Montgomery Housing Partnership invested $5.3 million in renovations of this 133-unit multi-family complex.
Ambassador offering one-bedroom starter apartments conveniently located within walking distance to Westfield Mall, restaurants, specialty shops and Wheaton Metro Station. Furnished apartments are also available.
Future Residential Development
Safeway/Patriot Patriot Realty has finalized its agreement with Safeway, Inc. to construct a 17-story mixed-use residential/retail project with a 59,000 square-foot grocery store and 486 apartment units ranging from efficiencies to 2-bedrooms. Immediately above the Safeway will be three levels of parking (approximately 411 spaces) for the residents. The 486-unit apartment complex is not expected to begin leasing until sometime in 2013. The project will be located across the street from the Wheaton Metro Station.
Washington Properties -- On December 16, the Office of Zoning and Administrative Hearings approved Washington Property Companies application for re-zoning to Transit Station-Residential (TS-R). The re-zoning will allow development of a 6-story project with 245 residential-units on the site of the First Baptist Church of Wheaton.
Avalon Bay Communities, Inc. is a publicly-traded real estate investment trust with ownership interests in 179 apartment communities throughout the United States. Avalon Bay acquires, develops and manages high-quality apartment complexes. In 2004 Avalon Bay acquired 3 properties located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Georgia and Blueridge Avenues. Initial plans called for a mixed-use residential/retail project containing approximately 56,000 square-feet of street-level retail space with 360 apartment units above. Delays in securing necessary zoning changes, as well as the continued impact of the current recession put the proposed project on hold. In late summer 2010 Avalon Bay advised that the project would move forward, but only as a residential apartment complex. Specifics for the revised project have yet to be announced.
Future Development
B.F. Saul was selected as the development team leader to create a high-density, pedestrian-friendly area with mixed-use retail, residential and office in the heart of downtown near the Wheaton Metro station. In addition to B.F. Saul, the team consists of architect, Torti Gallas and Partners, Inc.; and civil engineers, Loiederman Soltesz Associates, Inc. A single developer was chosen to ensure a unified look and a fast-moving timeline. With only 8.2 acres of land publicly owned, the project will entail leveraging private property, as well as integrating with existing businesses such as Wheaton Westfield. The community will have extensive involvement in helping to create Wheaton's downtown. The County sees this as a ten-year process. Visit the B.F. Saul Wheaton Redevelopment partnership website to get email and become a Facebook friend http://www.wheatonsnewdowntown.org/
Safeway/Patriot Patriot Realty has finalized its agreement with Safeway, Inc. to construct a 17-story grocery store and apartment complex. Construction could begin as early as February 2011. The new 59,000 square-foot store will open in mid-2012. Parking for the Safeway will be provided through structured parking beneath the store and will be accessible from both Georgia Avenue and Fern Street. The 486-unit apartment complex above the Safeway is not expected to begin leasing until sometime in 2013. Construction of the entire project should last about 24 months. The project will be located across the street from the Wheaton Metro Station.
BB&T Bank -- The Office of Zoning & Administrative Hearings (OZAH) recommended approval on February 3. The County Council, sitting as District Council, will make a final decision on whether the project can proceed. BB&T is seeking to develop a branch office at Valley View Ave. and University Blvd. where three abandoned residential houses stand. The Planning Board previously approved the Development Plan Amendment (DPA-05-02), recommended that binding elements be included to address concerns voiced by the Kensington View Civic Association. The project will replace three dilapidated and vacant residential structures with a 4,080 square-foot bank branch and a 1,600 square-foot, 4-lane drive-thru, inclusive of a dedicated ATM lane, on the 39,000 square-foot site. BB&T's two current branch locations in Wheaton's Georgia and Blueridge Avenue, and Veirs Mill Road and University Boulevard, would be consolidated into the new branch location. The project provides quality architectural design and transitions well to the residential neighborhood.
Costco In August 2010, Westfield Corporation announced that Costco will open a 148,000 square-foot store as an addition to Westfield Wheaton Mall. Westfield plans to construct a two-story, 232,000 square-foot addition to the Mall on the former Hecht's department store site, The addition will house Costco on the second floor and add an additional 80,000 square-feet of retail space on the first floor. The estimated cost of the project is $58 million. The Costco store is expected to create 275 jobs and the first floor retail space is expected to generate about 200 jobs. Costco's opening is anticipated for late 2011/early 2012. A Costco fueling station is planned, but must be approved through the Special Exception process to do so. The Special Exception process requires the applicant to demonstrate need for the proposed use, and allows for community input and reaction to the proposed project.
History
Wheaton is an unincorporated community in Montgomery County that started out as a crossroads in the 1700s. It became known as Mitchell's Crossroads when Richard (Robert) T. Mitchell owned the tavern located at the northeast corner of Brookeville Turnpike (now Georgia Ave.) and Old Bladensburg Road (now University Blvd.) in the mid-1800s. The tavern was used as a residence by the 1930's and was destroyed by fire in 1940. Read more...
Home to more than 400 businesses and a growing residential population, Downtown Wheaton is transforming from a residential suburb to an urban environment. Current initiatives include:
Think you know more about the history of Wheaton? Share your knowledge and "Wiki Wheaton."
Outreach and Incentives
Public and Private Investment
As of November 2010, the County has invested $17.4 million into redevelopment-related activity in Wheaton. Total public investment, including state and federal resources totals $30.1 million. To date, existing and planned private development is approximately $432 million. Public monies represent only 6.51% of the aggregate $462.1 million investment in Wheaton's redevelopment.
Private Investment
Wheaton Plaza Mall was purchased by Westfield Corporation in May 1997 for $92 million. Since then, Westfield has made some $150 million in improvements and renovations, adding another shopping level with 50 specialty stores, constructing additional retail along University Boulevard including a 58,800 square-foot Giant supermarket. Through these improvements, as well as the addition of Bally's Total Fitness and Office Depot, the mall has added over 856,000 square-feet of retail space.
Georgia Crossing has approximately 32,000 square-feet of street-level retail and mezzanine-level office located at the corner of Georgia Avenue and University Blvd.. The project was completed in 2008 and cost approximately $4 million.
Triangle Park has 8,200 square-feet of specialty retail and is located at Reedie Drive and Veirs Mill Road. The building is home to the first public/private art display by internationally-known artist Phillip Ratner. The six musically-themed sculptured plaques located on the outside of the building are a tribute to the late Chuck Levin. The project was completed in 2003.
Public Investment - Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Projects
Pedestrian Walkway, located mid-block between Ennals Avenue and Reedie Drive on Georgia Avenue, was completed in 2009. It has provided a needed connection between Parking Lot 13 and the businesses fronting Georgia Avenue. The walkway has significantly improved pedestrian circulation and provides an attractive and inviting open space in the downtown. The wall mural entitled "Our Diverse Cultures" was designed and created by local Arts on the Block students. The design encompasses nine circles floating in a beautiful flowing wave representing the earth's seas.
The Streetscape Improvement Program was established in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Budget and is administered by the Wheaton Redevelopment Program. Funds are used to reconstruct sidewalks, ensure wheelchair accessibility, construct and/or modify pedestrian crossings, increase pedestrian lighting, and to add trees and tree pits along County streets within the Wheaton Urban District area.
The Façade Improvement Program was established in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Budget and is administered by the Wheaton Redevelopment Program. The program provides commercial property owners with new facades that include canopies and freshly painted facades. To assure continued maintenance of the buildings exterior, the property owner must sign a five year Façade Improvement Agreement with the County.
Redevelopment Reports and Surveys
Sector Plan
Small Business Assistance
Transportation & Accessibility
Wheaton Maps
There are ten potential redevelopment sites in the downtown:
Department of General Services 9th floor, 101 Monroe Stree Rockville MD 02850