Per Montgomery County: The Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs (DHCA) has launched a unique, three-pronged approach to neighborhood revitalization by combining State and County funding, along with a financial commitment from local businesses and property owners, to kick-off a community improvement initiative in White Oak.
The White Oak Façade Improvement Initiative is public-private partnership that will combine an estimated $3.7 million to enhance and modernize an aging commercial area along a stretch of Lockwood Drive at New Hampshire Avenue. The goal of the project is to make highly visible improvements that will address physical and economic decline in the area to attract more consumers and foster economic growth.
The façade improvement program will benefit approximately 10 businesses. The initiative will help fund improvements to the exteriors of the facades, new signage, new lighting, possible streetscape enhancement, installation of new planting materials and site work including parking lot resurfacing and striping.
“Many of these small businesses don’t have the resources to make improvements, so this money will help people upgrade their properties and try to create more positive image for the area,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “We have been really clear about our willingness to reinvest. I know they have long felt neglected, but they are the site of the first BRT lines and Montgomery College is opening up a campus over here. Three commercial developments that were stalled—Burtonsville, New Hampshire Gateway and the White Oak Shopping Center—are moving now. So, we have demonstrated we are willing to put money in. We are willing to work with partners to get these projects moving, and we are going to continue to do that.”
DHCA Director Scott Bruton said the façade project will continue the efforts to improve economic development in the White Oak area.
“This is the first time we have enacted a three-pronged approach utilizing investments from County, State and property owners to facilitate community improvements,” said DHCA Director Bruton. “Once construction is complete, the County will require an easement to be place on the property for a term to ensure that all improvements are maintained for the duration of the easement. The neighborhood revitalization section under DHCA is delighted to use our façade improvement program to improve the physical structures and economic potential of this East County community and other East County communities in the future.”
The White Oak Façade Improvement Initiative was unveiled on Aug. 13 as the Friends of White Oak were presented with a check by State Senator Will Smith and District 20 Delegates Lorig Charkoudian, David Moon and Jheanelle Wilkins, marking a $500,000 commitment from the State. Delegate Wilkins was instrumental in securing the $500,000 State Legislative Bond Initiative.
“The District 20 Team is proud to secure record investments in the White Oak area,” said Delegate Wilkins. “This $500,000 investment reflects our commitment to this vital area of our district and the partnerships necessary to bring additional growth to White Oak.”
The $3.7 million in public-private partnership contributions include:
- County: $1,983,333 (53 percent)
- State Legislative Bond: $500,000 (14 percent)
- Property/Business Owners: $1,244,667 (33 percent)
Eligibility for participation extends to property and business owners on the south side of Lockwood Drive, ranging from an Exxon gas station located at 11177 Lockwood Drive to the Public Storage Property at 11315 Lockwood Drive.