Editor’s note: This is the first in a three-part series examining selected topics of General Growth Properties Inc.’s plan to redevelop downtown Columbia. Next week, The Examiner will explore the plan’s effort to balance traffic, pedestrians, transit and parking.
Providing a diverse range of housing is a goal for revitalizing Town Center in Columbia where developers want to make 20 percent of all new housing affordable.
General Growth Properties Inc. this week submitted to Howard County planners its 30-year plan to redevelopment Town Center into five neighborhoods with an array of new residences and office and retail space.
“The establishment of an ongoing mechanism for providing a diverse mix of low-, moderate- and middle-income housing into the future is an important social responsibility shared by us all,” the plan stated.
The housing proposal includes a mixed-income model that will make 20 percent of all new housing downtown — roughly 5,500 units — affordable to those earning less than 120 percent of the county’s median income, GGP officials said.
The county’s median household income, for a family of four, is now around $94,260, county officials said.
“My position on the 20 percent is that it’s aggressive in a good way,” said David Yungmann, co-founder of a youth-oriented group advocating for Town Center revitalization.
“Definitely, young people are going to want to live downtown, especially when you look at the [proposed] amenities of the plan. You can have young professionals walking to work. It’ll bring a real vibrancy.”
Of the 20 percent, GGP is also recommending to make 10 percent of all units downtown available to those earning less than 80 percent of the median income.
“It’s critical to have affordable housing downtown,” said Councilwoman Jen Terrasa, who represents Kings Contrivance and Owen Brown in Columbia.
She said she still needed time to study the plan, but added she hopes it provides affordable housing across the spectrum of different household incomes.
A community housing foundation, consisting of a locally based board with familiarity with Town Center and the community’s needs, will be created and act to set construction standards for the affordable housing.
Affordable housing is becoming a trend that’s not unique to Columbia but is happening across the country, said Greg Hamm, GGP’s regional vice president.
“We think places are better where a full spectrum of housing is available,” he said.
PHASES
Phases for the proposed 30-year plan for the redevelopment of Town Center, Columbia:
• Phase 1: Construction of about 1,660 residential units; 500,000 square feet of retail space; 1.1 million square feet of office space and 250 hotel rooms;
• Phase 2: Construction of about 2,000 residential units; 350,000 square feet of retail space; 2 million square feet of office space and 250 hotel rooms;
• Phase 3: Construction of about 1,850 residential units, 160,000 square feet of retail space and 1.8 million square feet of office space.
Source: General Growth Properties Inc.
TIMELINE
Sequence of events for GGP’s plan to redevelop Town Center in Columbia:
• Howardd’s Planning and Zoning Department publishes report on the plan;
• Howard’s Planning Board holds public hearings and work sessions on the plan;
• Planning Board makes a recommendation on its approval to the Howard County Council;
• Council holds hearing and work sessions and then votes on the plan.
Source: General Growth Properties Inc.
