Questions Remain for Wheaton Redevelopment Plan

Questions remain regarding the siting, scope and size of the Wheaton redevelopment project involving a new Park and Planning headquarters.

The Montgomery County Council discussed the project with county officials and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission during a closed session Tuesday, Pete McGinnity, manager of the county's Wheaton Redevelopment Program, told the Wheaton Urban District Advisory Committee later that day.

"It was to discuss the acquisition of private property," McGinnity said of the closed session. 

It's not yet clear what changes could be coming, but the County Council expects to receive amended project description forms from Park and Planning for introduction on March 19, said Adam Fogel, chief of staff for Council President Nancy Navarro.

"Siting" could mean anything from a completely new location to a slightly larger building that requires more space on the property, and county officials were deliberately vague about what was discussed in the closed session. But the project's essential elements--as a multi-user government building and the headquarters for Park and Planning--are still in place, McGinnity said. 

Before planning can proceed, there must be an agreement between the county government and Park and Planning—with approval by the County Council, according to stipulations the council added to the county budget last year.

The council passed a full capital improvements program last year, including a Wheaton redevelopment package. It will consider only amendments this year.