Going Gaga for Google

This is starting to get a little “over the top.” Towns are renaming themselves Google, flash mobs are being generated to show support for the broadband effort and now Duluth, Minnesota has decreed that “henceforth all firstborn males in the City of Duluth shall be named Google Fiber.”

Sheesh.

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Second Sunday Season Two

The Second Sunday Market in Ellicott City will return for a second season on Sunday April 11th. Actually, the return of the popular outdoor market will be part of a weekend long “Blossoms of Hope” celebration in the historic district that will include the aforementioned 5K race on Saturday, April 10th.

Just mentioning an outdoor event brings a smile to my face. Stay tuned for more details.

Trail Trainspotting

After finishing our science project investigation of Bloede Dam, the girls wanted to go to the tunnel next. The tunnel they were referring to is actually a culvert under the rail tracks just a little further down the trail.

As we got close I could hear the distant rumble of a train. This would be the third train we had seen in less than an hour. A few yards away from me stood a man holding what was presumably his son. They had stopped to listen to the approaching behemoth as well.

Before long the massive blue CSX engines appeared through the trees up on top of an embankment above the trail and the river. It rumbled by slowly pulling a line of tankers, coal cars and freight cars and overpowering the sound of the swollen Patapsco River. Before long the engineer blew his diesel horn as he approached the Ilchester Tunnel below Buzzard Rock. The trains typically move slowly through this winding stretch of track. These rails, known as the old main line subdivision has been in operation since 1830. The keystone on the culvert “tunnel” is stamped with the year 1869.

There sure is a lot stuff going on in this little slice of the Patapsco Valley State Park.

The Ice is Slowly Melting

A commenter on a recent post asked “Are you going to post something about the spring weather coming our way?”

Yes, right now in fact.

Yesterday I took Peanut and her buddy Sar Sar for a walk down the Grist Mill Trail to the Bloede Dam. Peanut is working on a hydroelectric project for her sixth grade science project and I thought a trip to the “worlds first underwater hydroelectric plant” might be instructive. In it’s hey day the Bloede dam provided power to homes in Ellicott City, Catonsville, and Elkridge.

It was also a “dam” good excuse to get outside and enjoy the nicest Saturday we’ve had in awhile.

The first thing I noticed as we crossed the swinging bridge in Ilchester was how fast the river was running thanks to the snow melt. The mist from the water flowing over the now decommissioned dam drifted all the way up to the path.

And speaking of dams, a little further up the river towards Ellicott City lies Simkins Dam. This is one of two dams that are slated to be removed in order to improve the flow of the river. Work on the dam is scheduled to begin sometime in late summer or early fall.

Welcome Back

General Growth Properties stock was traded once again on the New York Stock Exchange yesterday, less than a year after being delisted when the company sought protection of the bankruptcy courts.

In first day trading the stock rose 2.3% and closed at $14.01 a 1,234% increase over their 52 week low.

That’s a nice way to reenter the big board.

The Definition of Giveaway

Russ Swatek doesn’t seem to mind having taxpayers fund his HOA park. That must not be a giveaway in his book.

Russ supports the state bond request for $250,000 to help defray the cost of redeveloping the privately owned Symphony Woods. On the other hand he objects to the development project that would have likely funded it without state dollars if he and the rest of the Columbia Council cabal hadn’t isolated the homeowners association from the conversation.

Taxpayers against Giveaways indeed.

Myopic View of Development

Recently, while checking out Anthony Jordan’s website, I became curious about the following statement: “Developing for the sake of development does not serve any social or economic goals and does little more than pad the pockets of disinterested out-of-county businesses.”

Anthony is the Republican challenger for the District 2 county council seat currently held by Calvin Ball.

I sent him an email asking “What are the social and economic goals that you would like to see achieved in Columbia Town Center and how does the plan approved by the council fail to meet them?”

Anthony responded “that my post was drafted on January 12, 2010, almost a month before the legislation reached its final form.”

He then proceeded to clarify his position on the Columbia Town Center redevelopment.

“I feel that the reliance on "walkable communities" and mass transportation bears assumptions that I am not willing to make. I am the father of two little girls, and I can't imagine what a trip to the library or the mall would have been like if we had to rely on the means of transportation that seem to be required by this plan. I feel that many other Columbians will feel the same, and that while this development progresses, the parking lots and highways will bear the weight. I have yet to read an article or a bill that has explained who, other than the taxpayer, will bear these costs.”

I appreciate his timely response, but I remain concerned about his seemingly myopic views on development.

I don’t know of any developer who “develops for the sake of developing.” While that may make a catchy sound bite, it lacks any foundation in reality. Developers develop in response to a need. People need houses, developers build houses. Companies need space to house their business, developers build offices and warehouses. People need stores and restaurants, developers build retail. If there is no need there is no development.

Admittedly that is an over simplification of the process but it does reflect the core truth of development; no need, no development. Yes, there are times when “perceived need” outpaces actual need. When that occurs things can get temporarily out of balance but over time the equilibrium usually returns. Like any business, the business of matching needs is not an exact science.

The second part of his statement about padding the pockets of supposed disinterested out-of-county businesses is actually more misleading. It suggests a rather jingoistic view of our county. For example, my partners and I are developing an office building in Howard County. In order to do this we needed to borrow $25 million. There wasn’t a Howard County bank with the wherewithal to swing a loan like that. In the end, Susquehanna Bank, headquartered in Lititz, PA, ended up providing the financing for our project. I can assure you that they are not disinterested in the health and welfare of Howard County.

Anthony seems like a nice guy. His timely response to my inquiry suggests that he may be approachable on development issues despite his use of language that strikes me as crafted to appease those unhappy with the plans for the redevelopment Columbia Town Center.

The Other “M” Month

Previously, in a post about The Stanford Grill I apparently got my “m” months mixed up. I could swear that I had been told that that the new restaurant in Columbia was going to open in mid March.

Then again I probably shouldn’t swear. I’ve now been informed that it will open in May, the other “m” month.

I’m not all that surprised actually. The owners are doing quite a bit of work on the former Lone Star Steakhouse. Not only is the interior of the former Texas roadhouse themed chain under going a million dollar renovation, the outside is getting a makeover as well with a new patio complete with the now fashionable outdoor fireplace. The new locally owned establishment is aiming to attract the same business casual crowd, a little more upscale than Houlihans for example.

Sounds like a nice setting for a fall or spring happy hour.

I’m actually kind of glad it’s been delayed a couple of months. I’m still working on snagging an invite to the opening party.

In This Months Business Monthly

One year ago I joined Facebook and subsequently wrote about the experience in my March 2009 column. One year later Facebook provided me with inspiration once more when it assigned me the title “creator” for setting up a page promoting Howard County as potential test site for Google’s fiber project.

That has to be the best title I’ve ever been given.

True, the hurdle is pretty low for becoming a creator on Facebook. It probably isn’t even fair to call it hurdle. Still, the notion that someone could be labeled a creator started me thinking.

Creators are truly a special breed.

In my mind creators tend to be optimists. They are seldom content with the status quo and seek to make things better.

I suppose you could also make the argument that Russ Swatek is a creator. He did create Taxpayers against Giveaways. On the other hand, his group isn’t really creating something; they are attempting to undo something. That’s not real creator stuff in my book.

You can read this month’s column here.

They’ll Gladly Take Four

General Growth Properties went before U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Allan Gropper today to request a six month extension to exclusively file their plan for reorganizing and exiting bankruptcy. The judge gave them four months. According to this story by Tiffany Kary in BuisinessWeek, the judge “said the company can have until July 15, which should be enough time to file a so-called disclosure statement outlining a reorganization.”

This can still be seen as victory for GGP.

“He rejected creditors’ request to limit General Growth’s control to just 45 days, and said the control wouldn’t stop the company from evaluating bids from Simon Property or other interested parties.”

This extension gives GGP time to work out the complexities of the deal with Brookfield Asset Management that will result in the company splitting in two.

“The judge’s decision to limit exclusivity to four months is “an expected outcome,” said Jim Sullivan, an analyst with Green Street Advisors in Newport Beach, California. “It’s giving them enough time to work the process, but he’s not giving them the six months because he doesn’t think they need it.”

Simon is not out of the running yet though. They could also use this time to up the ante and perhaps bring in another partner in their effort to acquire GGP.

In other GGP news today, the company also applied to have their shares relisted on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock was delisted by the NYSE a year ago went the company sought protection of the bankruptcy courts. The stock has been traded on the over the counter since then under the symbol GGWPQ. Today the shares closed at $13.49.

Taco Talk of the Town

I first heard about this place from HowChow and I was intrigued. Today I finally checked it out and I’m happy to report that R&R Deli lived up to its blog hype. The tacos were fabulous.

While I waited for my tacos “al pastor”, I chatted up the amiable owner Rodrigo. He told me that he had only been open for about six months but that business had been pretty good so far despite the fact that he hadn’t done much promotion.

“You’re popular on the internet,” I told him.

“I heard that,” he replied.

If you like authentic Mexican food you won’t be disappointed at Rodrigo’s place. The tacos were el más excelente.

Retail Retraction

Last September I reported that REI had leased but not occupied a store at Gateway Overlook in Columbia. A anonymous commenter on that particular post wrote “as an employee at the College Park REI I'm pretty sure this is bupkus. There were lots of rumors swirling around this space when it first opened, but we do not have a lease. You may be thinking of HTO; that was the last rumor I heard.”

Well Anon 5:33 PM it turns out that you were right. The story that REI had leased the space is bupkus.

It also turns out that you were on the right track about Hudson Trail Outfitters. HTO was actually considering opening a store in this location but backed out of the deal before signing a lease.

After HTO backed out it looked like Fresh Market might take the space. Fresh Market is a North Carolina based specialty grocer. Interestingly they are opening their second Maryland store today in Annapolis at the Annapolis Harbour Center. Their first Maryland store opened in July 2007 in Quarry Lake at Greenspring in Baltimore County.

In the end Fresh Market opted to take a pass on the Gateway Overlook space too.

It is also interesting to note that typical Fresh Market stores are almost the same size as the vacant grocery store space in Wilde Lake. Memo to Kimco: Call Fresh Market.

After failing to find a retailer to take the entire 20,000 square foot space, General Growth Properties has now decided to subdivide the space. They have since signed leases with Richmond American Homes for a home “gallery” and with Today’s Pet which is expanding and relocating from its location store in The Mall.

That will leave approximately 4,000 square feet available at Gateway Overlook.

Slow Fade into Irrelevance

Another phone book arrived on our lawn yesterday. This one was from Yourcommunity.com and it was the second one we’ve received in two weeks. We also received new phone books at work last week. All three of these phone books are different but they still shared the same fate. Each one went directly into the recycling bin without so much as being taken out of the plastic bag it came in.

I’ll admit that I don’t know much about what it costs to place an ad in the phone book these days. We don’t advertise our business in the phone book and haven’t for years yet apparently there is still enough business out there to warrant the printing and distribution of multiple books.

I suppose it took awhile for buggy whips to go out of fashion as well.

Taxpayers against Giveaways

The group that has come together for a petition drive to subject the Columbia Town Center redevelopment enabling legislation to a referendum this fall is called Taxpayers against Giveaways. Up until today, the only person I knew in the organization was Russ Swatek, the Columbia Council representative for the Village of Long Reach. According to a recent post on Columbia 2.0, he also likes to refer to himself as a “professional pest.” I always wondered what he did for a living.

Anyway…

After reading Brian’s post I now know that my former high school classmate Frank “Marty” Martin is also involved. That should be very helpful to Russ. Marty has a lot of experience with petition campaigns in Howard County. He’ll be a valuable asset to the effort. Brian didn’t say who else was there but I suspect there were some familiar faces from CoFoCoDo and HCCA.

It may surprise some readers here to know that I am actually of two minds about this petition drive. If successful it could theoretically settle, once and for all, whether the community at large is truly behind this plan or not.

Theoretically.

The problem is that if the effort to overturn the legislation is defeated by a close margin, the opponents will likely cry foul. A lawsuit challenging the outcome is almost guaranteed. If the vote is lopsided, and the voters resoundingly back the Town Center plan, the opponents will likely say it was due to big money spent by the developer and its business backers to defend the plan. The little man never had a chance they’ll moan.

The point I’m trying to make here is that for the core group of Taxpayers against Giveaways, this will never be over.

So what if Taxpayers against Giveaways prevails?

It could happen. If it does I’d be surprised, but it could happen.

What then?

Columbia will still limp along for a few years. The decline would be gradual at first, almost imperceptible. Over time, say within the next ten years, you’d start to notice that the Mall isn’t as busy as it once was. Wilde Lake still won’t have a grocery store or much else besides a massage parlor, a Chinese takeout and a nail salon. Merriweather Post Pavilion will close, eventually. You’ll notice that you really spend more time on the fringes of Columbia than the Town Center.

The opportunity for Town Center would pass.

Two Feet of Snow

Just another way of looking at it…with apologies to Mr. Foot.

District 4 Reunion Tour

It appears that the county council race in District 4 this year will look at lot like it did four years ago. Four years ago Town Center redevelopment was a hot issue. Four years later, though the physical appearance of Columbia’s downtown is pretty much the same, the groundwork has been finally laid for its extreme makeover.

Four years ago Tom D’Asto faced off against Mary Kay Sigaty for the seat being vacated by Ken Ulman. Four years ago, Tom campaigned against increased density in Town Center, believed that lakefront should be preserved as it is, and argued for a protective easement of Symphony Woods. After winning the seat Mary Kay sponsored the legislation that will increase the density, preserve the watershed, renovate and improve Merriweather Post Pavilion, create an innovative multi million dollar housing fund for full spectrum housing, and create a walkable downtown.

Now it looks like Tom is going to take another run at it. Presumably he will reprise his old Town Center development platform and attempt to pander to those who are against it.

To be fair, Tom hasn’t made an official announcement but he has registered a web domain. If he does decide to run he will first need to get by former Democrat now Republican Jeff Underwood. Jeff was around four years too when Mary Kay had to get by Jeff and Josh Feldmark in the Democratic primary.

It’s déjà vu all over again.

Playing Ball with Calvin

If you Google “Calvin Ball” the first result is a link to the cartoon strip, Calvin and Hobbes, a syndicated comic strip by Bill Watterson that ran in newspapers for about 10 years. The main character, Calvin, invented a game called Calvinball in which the only consistent rule is that the game may never be played by the same rules twice.

Last Friday, in our latest podcast of “and then there’s that…” on HoCoMoJo, my co-host Paul Skalny quipped that Calvinball was a lot like politics. Our guest for the show was Dr. Calvin Ball, the county councilperson for District 2. His name came up second in the Google search.

Calvin is good guy and he rolled right along with the banter.

Getting It Right

Previously in Tales of Two Cities, I’ve pointed out the Columbia Town Center does not exist in a vacuum. All around us communities are rethinking how they manage growth and looking for ways to maintain their individual identities. In this story by Katherine Shaver and Miranda S. Spivack in The Washington Post today the reporters examine both the successes and challenges of creating “walkable” communities.

“The nation's two largest groups -- baby boomers shedding their houses as they become empty nesters and millennials reaching their 30s and moving into their own homes -- largely prefer densely populated, walkable communities, experts say.

Urban planners project that 86 percent of the growth in new households will be single people or couples without children at home -- and neither group wants to live in remote suburbs or in houses surrounded by big lawns.”

The line between success and failure hinges on getting the formula right.

“Developers still must persuade people accustomed to driving to keep their cars parked, and town centers have to provide the right mix of retail, residential and office space to compete in a crowded marketplace.”

Do the plans for Columbia Town Center have the right mix?

Possibly. There is already a strong retail core with the Mall. The office sector is currently struggling but connecting the existing buildings more closely with residences and stores will help differentiate office space in Town Center from the more typical suburban office parks like Columbia Gateway.

The real question, in my mind is whether the proposed 5,500 housing units will be enough to insure that we get it right.

A CA Board Perspective

HoCoMoJo has an excellent interview with Tom O’Connor about his perspective of the Columbia Association Board of Directors. Tom served on the board for eight years, including a few stints as board chair.

Tom offers an insider’s take on what is wrong with the board and what can be done to fix it.

Good stuff.

Ethics Complaint Filed Against Swatek

Five Columbia residents have filed a formal ethics complaint against Russell Swatek, the Columbia Council representative from the Village of Long Reach. The complaint, contained in a letter to the Columbia Council board chair, alleges that “his appointment as Spokesperson for Taxpayers Against Giveaways (TAG), has become involved in a private activity that has already and will continue to conflict with his objectivity in protecting and promoting the interests of the Columbia Association and the Long Reach Village Association.”

At a recent Columbia Association board meeting Mr. Swatek was actively gathering signatures for his petition to subject the Columbia Town Center redevelopment legislation to referendum.

The letter, signed by Jud Malone, Phil Engelke, Lin Eagan, Linda Odum and Patrick Von Schlag, cites the boards’ ethics policy which states that board members “must act in the interest of the whole community of Columbia and not simply as a representative of a particular village or constituency. Once all constituent perspectives are established and acknowledged, they must be considered in relation to the perspective of the entire community of Columbia.”

“We are believe that it would be in the best interest of the community of Columbia for Mr. Swatek to voluntarily resign his position as CA Board Member. Should he choose not to take that action we are hereby requesting that this report alleging misconduct by Mr. Swatek be considered as serious and be promptly addressed and fully investigated according to procedures established in CA Code of Ethics documents.”

It will be interesting to see how the board responds.