A mixed-use development in Savage was named Monday as one of the latest “BRAC Zones” in the state, making it eligible for state money.

Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who toured the site last month, made the announcement at a news conference in Annapolis. The other new BRAC Zone is in Aberdeen, according to Brown’s office.

“Howard County is very grateful and excited to receive a BRAC Zone award,” County Council Vice Chairwoman Jennifer Terrasa, whose district includes Savage, said in a statement. “This funding will help prepare our community for BRAC jobs in the Route 1 redevelopment corridor with infrastructure improvements and upgrades to MARC facilities.”

The BRAC Revitalization and Community Enhancement program sets aside up to $5 million a year for local governments to build infrastructure that will support businesses and residents who are coming to the area because of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. The state can only name up to six BRAC zones per year.

Howard County could receive up to $500,000 through the program and could reapply for more money in future years, according to Kevin Enright, a county spokesman.

The county would put the money toward construction of a parking garage that is planned for the Savage site, located at the intersection of Route 32 and Dorsey Run Road.

The garage would replace a 13-acre parking lot currently at the train station, allowing developer Petrie Ross Joint Ventures to build Savage Towne Centre, a collection of new homes, retail shops, restaurants and a hotel on the rest of the property.

The County Council earlier this month approved a financing plan that would allow the county to sell bonds to build the parking garage, with the debt paid back by using new tax revenue generated by the project. In addition, a special taxing district would be established on the land that could raise additional revenue to cover the bond debt if the property taxes alone do not cover it.

The program allows for the money to be used to pay back bonds, according to the state Department of Business and Economic Development. No county money is planned for the project, officials have said.

Construction on the garage, which must be completed before the rest of the development can be built, could start as soon as next summer and be complete in 2011. County officials have cited the Savage Towne Centre area as being ideal for BRAC-related housing and businesses, as it is a short commute to Fort Meade and the National Security Agency headquarters.

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user comments (6)

user savageresident says...

The new Savage Town Centre is a great addition to not only the Route 1 corridor, but to the southern part of Howard county as well. I believe, however, that many Savage residents would agree with me that naming this the "Savage Town Centre" is not the best idea. For years, Savage has considered its "downtown" area to be the Baltimore street/Savage-Guilford Road area, containing most of the businesses that reside in Savage (except the Savage Mill). Naming this area "Savage Town Centre" will give outsiders the impression that this new development will represent Savage as a whole...when in fact this new addition will be the newest addition to Savage in several years! I'm hoping that this new "town centre" will showcase Savage as it is - a small American town, with down-to-earth residents and a love for its community.

Posted 9:41 PM, 06.16.09 | Permalink

user savageresident says...

Don't forget to keep an eye on all Savage news and events by checking out www.SavageCommunityAssociation.com

Posted 9:42 PM, 06.16.09 | Permalink

user anothersvgresident says...

We are Savage residents who think it's fine to call that area Savage Towne Center. It's the Savage MARC station and it would be appropriate to refer to any development around that area as a town center. Columbia Towne Centre doesn't represent all of Columbia and anyone with any intelligence wouldn't be so narrow minded to think a town center represents the whole community, nor would they call visitors "outsiders".

Posted 5:15 PM, 06.17.09 | Permalink

user savageresident says...

Anyone who has lived in or around the Columbia area for more than say, 5 or 6 years (and who is intelligent) would know that Columbia Town Center does, in fact, represent the city of Columbia. Take a good look at the Howard County Times - what do most of the front pages say? Plans to redevelop the town center underway. County council focuses on budget for town center redevelopment. Each individual village is part of Columbia, yes...but the Town Center is the heart of Columbia. Savage is NOT Columbia. We are one town, not separated into villages or quadrants. Anyone who is a true Savage resident knows and understands the difference.

Posted 8:22 PM, 06.17.09 | Permalink

user says...

I agree with the writer savageresident on their comment that Savage is NOT Columbia. I don't know of anyone who said it was. In my opinion, I believe Savage Mill is perceived by many as the heart of Savage. The mill is what put Savage on the map and any additional development won't change that perception. This mill is what made a certain area of Savage part of the Historic Registry (The mill and the homes of original mill workers). The mill continually reaches out to our community and they are working with us for the future good and growth of Savage. The mill town is improving every day and we're proud of our accomplishments and the sense of community we have around the mill. My blog has links to many Savage Mill events at www.svg20763.blogspot.com. The addition of Terrapin Adventure is also positive for our community as will the Savage Towne Centre be, with the majority of Savage businesses found along Corridor Road. Savage does cross over Rt. 1 and development of that part of Savage will bring jobs to our community. Adding development to this area of Savage is forward thinking with the expected growth coming as a result of BRAC. I've seen articles of 22,000 new professional jobs near Ft. Meade bringing an estimated 55,000 new people to the larger community by 2015. Having residential dwellings and businesses near public transportation can only help ease some of the additional traffic and congestion this area will be facing. I believe anyone who lives in the Savage/Jessup area is a "TRUE" savage resident. I'm not sure how the above writer savageresident determines who is a true resident and who is not. In my opinion, we're all stake holders in the community no matter how long we've lived here or plan to live here. Also, in my opinion, if one lives here, works here, worships here, owns property here, has their children in school here, plays at or visits Savage Park or drives through here on a daily basis, etc. they are too a stake holder in this community.

Posted 11:25 AM, 06.18.09 | Permalink

user gmarkopoulos9 says...

what do you consider to be the Town Center.... The Savage Snow Cone Shack? Also, in your erudite opinion, must you be birthed in the 7Star parking lot to be consider a Savage "Insider".

Posted 9:43 PM, 06.19.09 | Permalink