State of the County Address Cites Columbia's Progress

Columbia’s upcoming 50th birthday, the revitalization underway in Downtown Columbia, as well as a vision of new initiatives for redevelopment in the Villages of Oakland Mills and Long Reach were cited in the annual State of the County address by Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman.

“I’m extremely pleased by the progress we have made to revitalize and redevelop the Town Center and aging neighborhoods. We’ve exemplified a level of bipartisanship and cooperation that is unparalleled,” Kittleman told the crowd gathered at Turf Valley Resort.

“With the support of Council person Mary Kay Sigaty and the Council, we are moving forward with the redevelopment of Downtown Columbia.” Kittleman said. “While the original plan was completed in 2010, we needed to make changes to make it work,” he added. “We put together a TIF for public infrastructure and a partnership to guarantee the building of full spectrum housing.”

The Howard Hughes Corporation is the master developer of the 391 acres included in Downtown Columbia. At full build-out, the revitalization will include 14 million square feet of mixed-use development comprised of 4.3 million square feet of commercial office space, 1.25 million square feet of street retail, 6,244 residential units and 640 hotel rooms. To date 10 percent of the redevelopment plan is under construction or complete.

Still to come, Kittleman noted, is development of a new arts complex that includes a new Toby’s Theater, artist work spaces and market and affordable housing units.

Among the attendees at the annual State of the County address were (from l.) Toby and Hal Orenstein of Toby’s Dinner Theatre of Columbia and Greg Fitchitt, Vice President, Development, The Howard Hughes Corporation.

Columbia’s 50th birthday celebration begins March 19 and ends Sept. 23. It will include dozens of activities that will “honor the past” and “imagine the future.” For information, visit www.columbiamd50.com.