Press Releases

July 16 , 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Robin Ferrier
(301) 315-2896
rferrier@jhu.edu

Planning Board Adopts Transformational “Smart Growth” Vision for a New Shady Grove Science Center in the Heart of the I-270 Technology Corridor

We are pleased to announce that the Montgomery County Planning Board has adopted a visionary new Gaithersburg West Master Plan that will allow true smart-growth development to take hold in the heart of Montgomery County’s premier science and technology corridor.  The new plan expands the current Shady Grove Life Sciences Center with the addition of a new mixed-use zone that will allow jobs, housing and retail, all located within convenient walking distance of three new mass transit stations along the Corridor Cities Transitway, which will connect key centers together from the Shady Grove Metro station north to Clarksburg. 

The plan also includes a strict staging requirement that would prevent any new development if infrastructure is not in place.

“This plan will be looked back upon as the defining moment when Montgomery County chose to complete the vision for a thriving 270 technology corridor with a sustainable, transit-oriented design.”  – David McDonough, Senior Director, Development Oversight, Johns Hopkins Real Estate

 “The scope we had requested for our Belward campus was scaled back, but overall this is a visionary plan that will help transform the area around Shady Grove Road from what is now an auto-dependent commercial center, into a vibrant transit-oriented science-based community with more parks and open space for our neighbors to enjoy.”  – David McDonough, Senior Director, Development Oversight, Johns Hopkins Real Estate

“We are very excited about what this plan can mean for Johns Hopkins University, for the thousands of good bio-science, healthcare and related jobs we can create here; for the groundbreaking scientific research that will help improve people’s lives; and because this plan will make this whole area a much more exciting place to live and work. “ – Elaine Amir, Executive Director, Johns Hopkins Montgomery County

“We have been meeting with the community throughout this process, and there is a lot of support for creating the kind of place where we can bring together great scientists and researchers, create thousands of good jobs for our children and for generations to come.”  – Elaine Amir, Executive Director, Johns Hopkins Montgomery County

 “We look forward to working with the County Council to put this visionary plan into action and create the kind of community where great science, great jobs, and real transit-oriented-design all come together to make Montgomery County an even better place to live, work and play.”  – Elaine Amir, Executive Director, Johns Hopkins Montgomery County

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