Support A Stronger Wheaton

Over the past year, Montgomery County public officials and developer BF Saul have been working to negotiate key details of a General Development Agreement to redevelop Wheaton, Maryland. BF Saul plans to construct 500,000-600,000 square feet in office space along Georgia Avenue; a new hotel facing Reedie Drive with limited retail; and 200-250 units of mixed-use residential development with 40,000-50,000 square feet of retail in Parking Lot 13 between Triangle Lane and Grandview Avenue.

Since November of 2010, hundreds of residents have urged both parties to develop a plan to transform the area without sacrificing Wheaton’s strengths – its ethnic diversity, its small businesses, and its affordable housing options for low- to moderate-income families.

In meetings with the County and BF Saul, residents have called for community benefits as part of the redevelopment project, including local sourcing of new jobs related to its execution; short-term and long-term support for small businesses; a significant commitment to affordable housing; the relocation of vital community services within the Mid-County Regional Services Center; and a multicultural town square that reflects the area’s diversity.

BF Saul has never redeveloped an area like Wheaton and has no track record balancing new development while retaining diversity. Montgomery County officials have stated that making provisions for mitigating the negative impacts of the project is not a short-term priority – even though the County intends to invest millions of dollars of public taxpayer money to support BF Saul and the project.

Without community benefits, small businesses could be displaced, the cost of housing could increase beyond the means of Wheaton’s low- to moderate-income residents, and important community services could disappear from the area. Wheaton’s spirit and identity could be lost forever. Please sign our petition asking BF Saul and Montgomery County to agree to the following:

• Negotiate with the Coalition for the Fair Redevelopment of Wheaton to include into the total project costs a collection of community benefits to preserve Wheaton’s strengths and mitigate the negative impacts of the area’s redevelopment.
• Delay finalization of any General Development Agreement until community benefits are included.

Together, we can ensure that Wheaton’s future is connected with Wheaton’s past!

COALITION'S FIVE PRIORITIES

1. In a difficult economy, many Wheaton residents need jobs

BF Saul and the County need to create programs in partnership with community-based organizations that will help low- and moderate-income Wheaton residents to receive job training in the exact skills requested by employers in the redevelopment.

Create a "first source" hiring system, locally sourcing new jobs to Wheaton residents.

2. Small Business Support for a Stronger Wheaton - Making sure that Wheaton’s small businesses are not displaced

Replace lost parking for customers that support small businesses with parking that is close to Wheaton’s new downtown, has a reasonable cost, and includes underground parking.

Short-term and long-term financial, programmatic, and marketing support including loans and grants to help small businesses survive construction and better attract the new demographic market in Wheaton.

Enhance public security and maintenance on streets to create a favorable business climate.

3. Affordable Housing for a Stronger Wheaton - Keeping Wheaton affordable with inclusive housing options

Require that 20 percent of the 200-250 units of mixed-use residential development are targeted as affordable housing units based on Wheaton Median Household Income that can accommodate families.

Develop comprehensive preservation plan for existing affordable housing in Wheaton.

4. A Community Center for a Stronger Wheaton - Maintaining quality services for the community, in the community

Develop concrete plan to relocate and assure continuation of community services currently housed in the Mid-County Regional Services Building within County-owned properties identified for lease in concept plan.

5. A Multicultural Plaza for a Stronger Wheaton - A new representative heart of Wheaton

Create a new town square that reflects the multicultural diversity of Wheaton through culturally diverse programming, uses, and design.

If you agree with these priorities please go to http://astrongerwheaton.org/ and sign our petition.