When Howard County Executive Ken Ulman announced plans to buy county office space in Oakland Mills, the administration and community touted it as the cornerstone to the village?s revitalization.
But two months later, the County Council still lacks enough information to authorize the purchase in Columbia.
“We don?t have all the facts,” said Councilman Greg Fox, R-District 5.
The council delayed until next month a decision on a measure that would allow the county to buy a floor in Meridian Square, a proposed office building in Columbia. The $4 million would come from the $16 million approved for a new government office campus.
The project not only would allow Howard to meet some of its needs for office space but help revitalize Oakland Mills, said Pubic Works Director Jim Irvin.
But council members weren?t convinced the move fit into Howard?s overall plans for office space, including ultimately some offices being consolidated in a new campus.
Fox questioned whether the county should get a discount for the purchase, since it would be the anchor tenant in the new building.
Council Chairwoman Courtney Watson, D-District 1, raised concerns about the county making a risky investment, and whether the purchase would really boost the revitalization.
About 30 Oakland Mills residents attended Monday night?s public hearing to show support for the measure.
“This is what the community wanted to see happen,” said Karen Gray, chairwoman of the village board?s revitalization committee.
Bill Woodcock, chairman of the Oakland Mills village board, said he understood the council?s need for more time on the issue, and the community raised many of the council?s concerns.
