On September 15, the Greenbelt City Council met with Taylora Imes-Thomas, project manager for the AMAR Group, who presented her company’s recommendations for the city’s Armory building in response to a request for proposals from the city. Three scenarios were offered, which were informed both by council and four community engagement meetings that provided a chance to gather wants and likes for the site. This was just one step in a lengthy process of finding the best possible fit for the city.
The consensus of the meeting was that the current structure should be demolished, with Imes-Thomas stating that to remediate the structure and remove hazardous materials would cost from $13-$18M. AMAR Group was asked to focus on retaining as much of the site’s current footprint as possible. She said that few trees will be removed, with there being an opportunity to plant more.
Site Use Alternatives
The first scenario was to make the site the new fire and EMS station, at 32,670 sq. ft. The garage area would be repurposed as storage, with space for training and sleeping, as well as room to park emergency vehicles. A 7,100 sq. ft. food and beverage area was posited. The base cost would be $12.8M, with a markup cost at $20.3M. City Manager Josué Salmerón said the site is very strategic in its access to outlying areas that are part of the department’s purview.
The second scenario would be a mixed-use residential and commercial facility, at 112,500 sq. ft. Thirty-one residential units were offered, with their type to be determined. A restaurant and a variety of smaller scale commercial areas were included, as were 145 parking spaces. The base cost is $32.1M with a markup cost of $51.1M.
The last scenario was a new municipal building, at 39,000 sq. ft. The garage area would be made into 10 live/work units. An outdoor terrace and 8,500 sq. ft. of commercial lease space were recommended, along with a food or coffee amenity. A second floor was suggested with green roofs to mitigate stormwater runoff. The base cost is $17.9M with a markup cost of $28.5M.
All scenarios included an amphitheater as well as both bike and pedestrian trails connecting to the adjacent neighborhoods.
The first scenario presented the least revenue potential with the second offering the highest. The third scenario has the highest civic focus.
Concerns
Council, as well as Salmerón and John Mason, the city’s Economic Development head, felt that if the site were to include commercial space, it should enhance and not compete with the city’s existing commercial infrastructure.
Resident Bob Rand expressed his concern that the site is accessible only to Greenbelt Center, and advised creating a city circulator shuttle to remediate that; a concept that has been discussed by council for some time.
Resident and architect Dave Whaples said the site should be seen as a gateway to the city and should create the best possible presence, adding that more stories could be an asset.
Mason saw the site as an easy destination and a strategic location, with great potential to entice businesses. He advised that “we only have one shot at this.”
Phased Approach
Funding will depend on which approach is chosen, with Salmerón saying that there are grants available and potential contributions from the county’s Department of Housing and Community Development, as well as public/private partnerships. Council and Salmerón felt that a phased, modular approach to development will be the most likely strategy.
All present concurred that there needs to be more discussion and community engagement on this development. Residents will get a chance to weigh in further through the community questionnaire that will be available at the polls during the upcoming election.
Councilmember Silke Pope echoed the council when she said that this process is still in its beginnings, with Councilmember Amy Knesel adding that the city is realistically looking at a 10-year completion date.
Imes-Thomas said that after another design iteration by the AMAR Group, based on the evening’s feedback, the city’s contract with her company will have come to an end. The city could then decide whether to employ them further.
