Wheaton Redevelopment Update: Developer Choice May Come Soon

Update, March 7, 2:30 p.m.

The Wheaton redevelopment discussion tentatively scheduled for March 12 will be a closed session. The Montgomery County Council and the executive administration will be discussing real estate issues "that could impact negotiations if the session were public," according to Rob Klein of the Department of General Services.

The county has yet to announce a developer for the Park and Planning headquarters building coming to Wheaton's downtown area.

The redevelopment plan approved by the council in 2012 envisions a town square and an office building on Lot 13 with ground-floor retail. The Montgomery Planning Department would share the space with county agencies.

Update, March 1, 3:45 p.m.

The planned discussion about Wheaton redevelopment between the Montgomery County Council and the executive administration has been postponed yet again.

"I think it's going to be March 12, in the morning," said Rob Klein of the Department of General Services.

Klein said that the following people would likely be involved in the discussion:

• Greg Ossont, deputy director of the Department of General Services
• Mike Riley, deputy director of Montgomery Parks
• Marlene Michaelson and Jacob Sesker, senior legislative analysts at the Montgomery County Council

Update, Feb. 4, 11 a.m.

The planned discussion about Wheaton redevelopment between the Montgomery County Council and the executive administration has been postponed until Feb. 26.

Rob Klein of the Department of General Services said that the county is still coordinating with the park and planning commission and talking with individual councilmembers in preparation for the meeting.

Original post, Jan. 23, 11:44 a.m.

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett's administration may announce his choice of a developer for Wheaton on Jan. 29 before the Montgomery County Council.

"We are hopeful that at that point in time we would be able to make an announcement about a new developer for the Wheaton redevelopment project," said Steve Silverman, director of the Department of Economic Development.

Silverman revealed that Leggett has a short list of developers with recognizable names who have worked in Montgomery County.

Leggett's choice does not require approval from the county council, but the council does have budget control.

Silverman told members of the Wheaton Redevelopment Advisory Committee at their January meeting that the loss of developer B.F. Saul last year "shouldn't be considered a major setback" for Wheaton redevelopment.

In 2012, the council rejected the redevelopment plan for B.F. Saul to build a platform over the bus bay area in Wheaton, in the triangle formed by Reedie Drive, Georgia Avenue and Veirs Mill Road. The council then added money into the FY2013 budget for a feasibility study of the bus bay area. However, the executive branch has decided not to pursue that study.

The redevelopment plan approved by the council envisions a town square and an office building on Lot 13 with ground-floor retail. The Montgomery Planning Department would share the space with county agencies.