Town Center is the heart of the Rockville community and the seat of Montgomery County government. Envisioned as a vibrant downtown, public and private investments have resulted in new streets, a public plaza, a regional library, multiple courthouses, residences, office and parking garages. While events are very well attended, the retail environment and office investment remain less than what Rockville has envisioned. A ULI Washington TAP offered recommendations in four categories: contextualizing Rockville, retail strategy and design, organizing stakeholders, and urgent steps and prioritization.

The Town of La Plata has long envisioned improving its downtown into a place of economic vitality while preserving and enhancing the area’s historic character. On one hand, the area’s vehicular congestion, fragmented ownership hinder redevelopment prospects. On the other hand, the concentration of parcels, existing utility infrastructure, and market strength of the area create opportunities for redevelopment.  TAP Panelists recommended a host of strategies for redevelopment potential for the site. These recommendations touch on issues relating to transportation, connectivity, and circulation; highest and best use for development; design; funding; prioritization; and implementation.

While Montgomery County has had some success with the redevelopment of downtown Wheaton, the core of the Central Business District (CBD) has not changed significantly and the community is not satisfied with the progress that has been made. Montgomery County is working with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) to solicit a private development partner to redevelop the CBD’s core through a public-private partnership using jointly-owned properties. This TAP helps the County and the private partner create a viable plan for this area of Wheaton.

North Capitol Main Street Inc. (NCMS Inc.) and the community are united in their desire to see North Capitol revitalized and to attract retail and services that serve residents’ needs. As a member of the DC Main Streets program, NCMS has the potential to receive financial assistance from the city and other sources, positioning the neighborhood for revitalization. A ULI Washington TAP constructed a community-wide vision for the neighborhood and a roadmap for implementing that vision.

The Port Towns CDC commissioned a TAP to develop an implementation plan including an appropriate timetable, and specific action items, which work towards the recommendations in the Bladensburg Town Center Sector Plan. The panel offered action items accomplishable in the near term to raise the visibility of the community, and set the foundation for developing a town center in Bladensburg. In anticipation of the Port Towns Plan, the panel also developed alternatives and amendments to the Bladensburg Town Center Sector Plan that in the panel’s opinion better fulfill the goals of the community.

While public investments have been made in Leesburg’s historic district, there has been very little private investment – and those long term retailers that have been housed in the downtown core are beginning to close their doors. Recognizing the challenge of creating an action plan, the Downtown Improvement Association in partnership with the Town of Leesburg, Loudoun County and the Loudoun Convention and Visitors Association invited ULI Washington to convene a Technical Assistance Panel to develop a strategic implementation plan that the Downtown Improvement Association can use as a roadmap to begin the revitalization process.