More News

Support for large-scale development

Don't scale back the proposed Life Sciences Center. Johns Hopkins University has undoubtedly determined the development size that is necessary to compete in a global market, and has done so in an educated, meaningful way. Every development has a "break-even" point and to drastically reduce this development by half, as proposed by project opponents, would likely drop the development below its point of economic viability, due to the drastic nature of the reduction.

What project opponents fail to credit in their argument against the Gaithersburg West Master Plan's proposed size is the fact that the development must be as attractive as possible to attract and retain the highly-mobile workforce (doctors and scientists) that would work and live there. Thus, the Life Sciences Center must be developed in a way that is attractive and will maximize amenities such as green/open space and recreational facilities, or risk having trouble attracting and retaining the best biomedical talent as intended. Not only will these amenities be available to the local surrounding community to enjoy, but the need to maximize amenities counteracts would-be, profit-driven behavior to maximize [a project's] size and density.

Michael Webb Weil, Gaithersburg

Smart development in Gaithersburg West?

Is it smart when Johns Hopkins totally disregards its agreement with [Elizabeth] Banks to develop her farm in such a manner that has her rolling over in her grave?

Is it smart when the proposed development is miles from the nearest Metro station?

Is it smart when current residents will be zapped with traffic and congestion that will exceed that of already crowded roads?

Corporate interests shouldn't always rule the day while residents' wishes are trampled upon. Now that's a smart plan I can support.

Diane Wisneski, North Potomac