Lt. Governor Brown Tours Proposed Aberdeen BRAC Zone

 

ABERDEEN, MD (May 26, 2009) – Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown, joined by Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Deputy Secretary Dominick Murray and local officials, toured the proposed 1,000 acre Aberdeen BRAC Zone location today. DBED will announce the second round of BRAC Zone designations next month.

 “The City of Aberdeen is positioned to see some of the greatest gains because of BRAC,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “I am proud of the partnerships we have established with local and county leaders. Because of those partnerships and our shared efforts, we can ensure that BRAC growth is SmartGrowth.”

Aberdeen’s application includes more than 1.18 million square feet of development, including the 800,000 square foot Class A North Gate Business Park.

Passed during the 2008 legislative session and signed by Governor Martin O’Malley in May, the BRAC Community Enhancement Act authorized the creation of BRAC Revitalization and Community Enhancement Zones to accommodate growth resulting from base realignment and closure (BRAC). Maryland anticipates the statewide creation of 60,000 jobs and the arrival of 28,000 new households before 2015 because of BRAC.

The BRAC Zone legislation offers financial incentives to local governments for the infrastructure necessary to encourage BRAC-related businesses and households to locate within existing locally-designated state priority funding areas. All jurisdictions are eligible to apply for BRAC Zone designation, with priority given to areas that are served by public transportation and have the greatest capacity for economic growth.

Five BRAC Zones were designated last December in Baltimore City, Laurel, Odenton, Frederick and an area in Prince George’s County near Andrews Air Force Base. DBED began accepting applications for the second round of designations earlier this Spring and will formally announce the awards on June 15.

In addition to the Aberdeen application, DBED accepted an application from Howard County. Lt. Governor Brown will tour the proposed Howard County location later this week.

Aberdeen BRAC Zone Application Key Facts

  • Project Name: Aberdeen BRAC Enhancement and Revitalization Zone
  • 999.69 acres
  • BRAC Zone area infrastructure needs:
    • Water and wastewater improvements ($33mil)
    • Transportation improvements ($66 mil)
    • Multimodal Transportation Center to serve commuters on a regional level.
    • Redevelopment of Route 40 Commercial Corridor
    • Adequate school capacity; upgraded water and wastewater facilities; improved sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, new community parks and facilities, safe neighborhoods and commercial areas to live and shop in without burdening existing tax base.
  • City infrastructure priorities to be funded by BRAC Zone:
    • Swan Meadows development between APG Road and East Bel Air Avenue: 
      • Main water and sewer line replacements
      • Replacements of curb, gutter and storm drain
      • Road reconstruction
    • James Street storm drainage needs
    • Edmund Street and US Route 40 Booster Station water lines
    • City of Aberdeen infiltration and inflow water line upgrade and repair
    • Alternative water source for additional water capacity
    • Well suite redevelopment at Aberdeen Water Treatment Plan
  • BRAC Zone Projects include:
    • North Gate Business Park - proposed 800,000 square foot Class A Business Park located off MD 22 and Research Boulevard.  The owner/developer is Corporate Offices Properties Trust (COPT).  55 acres, located next to Aberdeen Proving Ground.  The first of eight buildings will begin construction in April, 2009.  The North Gate Business Park will be the first Class A office park constructed in Aberdeen with LEED certifications.   Estimated construction cost of Lot C Building - $12,100,000.
    • Winston’s Choice development - 92 unit townhouse project located off Old Post Road and East Bel Air Avenue on 18.478 acres within walking distance of the Aberdeen Train Station and downtown area.  Project is 59% complete.
    • Winston’s Choice Addition - proposed 22 unit townhouse development within walking distance of the Aberdeen Train Station and the downtown area on 2.86 acres.
    • Greenway Business Park - 138,000 square foot business park located off US Route 40. The Greenway Business Park is comprised of 15.71 acres and is strategically located within close proximity to APG.
    • Aberdeen XChange – proposed retail/service use development including 3,000 square foot bank, two – 100 seat restaurants and a 75 room hotel.   8.5 acres strategically located at MD Rte. 715 and Old Philadelphia Road.
    • Royal Farms Store – proposed retail convenience store to include 5,590 square feet retail space, gasoline pump islands and automobile car wash.   Adjacent to Aberdeen XChange on 1.40 acres.  
  • Projected Construction:
    • Office                           938,000 square feet
    • Residential                    168,264 square feet
    • Retail                            8,590 square feet
    • Hotel                            66,043 square feet
    • TOTAL                       1,180,089 square feet 

 

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