As we enter the Thanksgiving season, I'd like to publicly thank some people who have done much for the future of Columbia's downtown. My thanks first to Ken Ulman and county planning staff who developed the overall guidelines that set the stage for General Growth Properties' General Plan amendment (GPA) and zoning regulation amendment (ZRA). The result of having GGP prepare the GPA/ZRA was a team of world-class resources working within the guidelines of public goals and objectives without costing the taxpayers a dime.

I'd also like to thank Mary Kay Sigaty and the County Council. You've created a climate and process to insure public input on this most important issue.

I'd next like to thank Dick Story and the Economic Development Authority for preparing an important analysis that shows that the GGP plan would generate economic benefits of $5.3 billion and create 3,500 jobs. The EDA works hard daily for our county and understands that this important project represents a tremendous opportunity for our citizens, one we can't afford to miss.

Finally, I'd like to thank GGP. Thanks for assembling a tremendous team of world-renowned experts who listened to the community and then prepared a bold plan that will guide downtown Columbia to an economically and environmentally sustainable future. You could have just as easily done nothing while we settled for mediocrity and then wrestled with the blight and decay that no doubt would have followed.

Anyone who thinks that GGP is getting a windfall needs to read that GPA. In addition to a vibrant downtown, here's what we get: a redeveloped Merriweather Post Pavilion, preservation of the former Rouse Company building and other landmarks, over $27 million to fund mixed-income housing, $500,000 toward renovation of the pedestrian bridge over Route 29 along with paths to nearby villages, the creation of an environmental assessment and sustainability program, land for a transit center, funding for a Transportation Management Association and all transportation improvements. Want more? Read the plan: www.co.ho.md.us/CountyCouncil/CCdocs/CB58-2009.pdf.

Mark Thompson

Dorsey Search

user comments (3)

user milton says...

Not to nit pick, but the Howard County Economic Development Authority did not prepare that analysis themselves, they hired outside consultants to do it. That’s a good thing, because the HCEDA understands little or nothing about economics.

Posted 1:00 PM, 11.05.09

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user citizentaxpayerjane says...

Is this the same Mark Thompson who opened a real estate consulting firm in March of this year? Please. This is just advertising without the honest disclaimer, or at least a banner stating 'advertisement' at the top.

Posted 7:30 AM, 11.06.09

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user commonsenseplease says...

As usual, attack somebody for what they do for a living and imply their opinions doesn't matter instead of speaking their actual points.

Posted 10:34 AM, 11.07.09

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