The Columbia Association stands to earn a lot of money from the redevelopment of its downtown into a 493-acre urban center.
“That?s good for [developer] General Growth Properties and for Columbia Association staff. It gives them more power,” said Columbia resident Sherry Perruzi, who is among several residents concerned that the association is not considering their needs.
Every year, the association collects more than 3 cents on the assessed dollar of every house and business in Columbia. Up to 5,500 new apartments could be built in downtown Columbia in the next 20 to 30 years, according to the Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning. Officials could not provide an amount on how much the association could collect.
That money would be added to the funds the association could get from up to 6.5 million square feet of commercial space that could be built in the town center.
The anticipated revenue is expected to pay for recreation and parks, camps and programs that will have to be created and expanded for the new residents, Columbia Association Board of Directors Chairman Tom O?Connor said.
“It would pay for the services that these people will need when they come into the community,” he said.
The association?s charter states that all money collected must first go into a general fund that the Columbia Association Board of Directors would divvy among various services.
The extra money should go into a pool with developers and the county, to pay for road improvements and infrastructure, Howard County Citizens? Association President Bridget Mugane said.
“It?s a shared responsibility for maintenance of the amenities,” Mugane said.
In 2005, the association was $68 million in debt, according to the association?s June 2006 Economic Model Presentation.
In the next 10 years, the association expects to spend $120 million on capital projects, mostly for its aging buildings, the presentation states.
AT A GLANCE
The owners of the 493 acres of Columbia?s Town Center being considered for redevelopment include:
» Developer General Growth Properties: 246 acres
» Columbia Association: 137 acres
» Other landowners, including attorney Richard Talkin, Toby?s Dinner Theatre and various residential and office buildings: 73 acres
Source: Howard County Citizens? Association
