June 7 and 22 Meetings to Detail Effects of Work After Groundbreaking on June 15 for ‘Rockville Town Square’
ROCKVILLE, Md., June 1, 2004—The groundbreaking for the new Town Center of Rockville is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15, and construction on the downtown site likely will begin shortly afterward. However, before the first dirt is moved, the City wants residents and business owners to have information on the possible effects of construction on the surrounding neighborhoods.
On Monday, June 7, and Tuesday, June 22, Rockville will hold open houses in the Mayor and Council Chambers in City Hall, starting at 7 p.m. each evening. City staff will present information on truck routes to be used during construction, general construction traffic, street closings and construction noise levels.
Groundbreaking for Phase I of Rockville Town Center will be held on Tuesday, June 15, at 9:30 a.m. on the site near the intersection of Middle Lane and Maryland Avenue. The public is invited to the ceremonies in which developers RD Rockville, LLC, and Federal Realty Investment Trust will start construction of the 12-acre mixed-used project to be known as “Rockville Town Square.” This project will be part of the 15-acre Phase I of the revitalization. Eventually, Town Center will expand to more than 60 acres.
Rockville Town Square will create a vibrant town center that is distinctive, special and “uniquely Rockville.” Phase I is bordered by Beall Avenue on the north; Middle Lane on the south; North Washington Street on the west and Maryland Route 355 on the east. The project will include the new Rockville Regional Library, a mix of retail, restaurant, cultural, entertainment, residential and office uses, a public square and three public parking garages.
Rockville Town Square promises to have a unique character compared to most downtown redevelopments. Each building will have a distinctive appearance and differing amenities to make the area look like as if developed over time. More than 30 building facades are planned. Many of the building features were inspired by historic Rockville buildings.
The first buildings of Rockville Town Square are scheduled to open in 2006.
The library was designed to be a signature building for Rockville. It will be the largest library in the Montgomery County Library System and will include an extensive computer room and two significant meeting rooms that will be available to the public.
Information on Town Center is available on Rockville’s City Web site at www.rockvillemd.gov and from Rockville’s Department of Community Planning and Development Services at City Hall at 240-314-8200.
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