Nearly two years after the Howard County Council declared one of Columbia's largest and earliest village centers a blight zone, the administration is seeking a new state designation for Long Reach Village Center to breathe new life into the dilapidated center.
This year, 17 of the center's 35 units sit vacant.
The designation, Sustainable Communities, opens up opportunities for grants and tax credits to support revitalization efforts. Of the 1,180 acres identified in the area, the focus is on the village center, nearby community open space and Long Reach High School, but the designation also includes the neighborhoods of Jeffers Hill, Phelps Luck and some parts of Kendall Ridge.
"This is just another tool in our revitalization tool belt," said Raj Kudchadkar, director of special projects in the county's Department of Planning and Zoning.
The council will consider the measure, filed as a resolution, in July. The county is also working on a request for proposals to court developers into redeveloping the area. Information on the timeline of the RFP will be available later this week.
"The county's plan hits the goal posts of our expectations. The RFP will bring those goal posts a little closer," said Kudchadkar.
In 2014, the county purchased most of the center for $5 million. County officials planted greenery and music echoed through the center later in the year as part of a push to "reimagine" the center. In 2015, the county bought the former Safeway grocery story — vacant since July 2013 — for another $2.5 million.
Since then, the administration has held a series of community meetings to discuss draft plans for the center and gather input, laying the groundwork for a preliminary plan that envisions broad expectations for the center, including a central community space and mixed residential uses. Plans have not been finalized.
Karen Hitcho, chairwoman of the Long Reach Village Board, remembers the days when long lines circled outside the door of a popular bakery that offered strawberry pies.
Hitcho has lived in Long Reach since 1979 and served on the board since 2001. Although she expressed concern that the designation does not make the village center the sole focus, Hitcho said she's optimistic of any progress moving forward.
"If we can get this underway now, it could be a very good thing for Long Reach," she said.
The Columbia Association, which is constructing a new $8 million indoor tennis facility near the aging village center, owns land in the center and remains optimistic about the center's revitalization.
"We all know about the challenges with the center. That story has already been written." said Jane Dembner, CA's director of planning and community affairs. "The county is being proactive as this process moves forward and the developer is finally selected."
The former Safeway site is functioning as a temporary storage site for the Howard County library system. Before the county bought most of the site, the center passed through a series of private owners. Neglect became more apparent with each successive owner.
The standard grocery store anchor model may not be viable for the center, according to the county's proposed application to the state. Five grocery stores are within a six-minute drive of the center, including two Giant stores, a Food Lion, Trader Joe's and Wegmans.
In a statement, Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman said the designation is the "next logical step" for the center's redevelopment.
The state will decide whether or not to grant the county the designation by the fall, according to the Department of Planning and Zoning.
County Council Chairman Calvin Ball said he's optimistic of "any progress that could help move the revitalization process forward," adding there was "opportunity for more detail" in the draft plan.
As the policy process continues, Hitcho said "her heart goes out" to the remaining tenants who struggle to sustain themselves.
"All we can hope for is a way forward, including demolishing the existing building and reconfiguring the whole center," she said. "Perhaps some tenants can come back. Because until now, it's pretty much hit rock bottom."
Kittleman and county staff will discuss the designation at a community meeting with the Long Reach Village Board at 7:30 p.m. on July 19.