A major redevelopment plan at Rio in Gaithersburg is moving closer to a final decision, with key votes scheduled later this month and in July. According to a June 5 update from the City of Gaithersburg, the application for the project is entering its final stages after months of review. The Planning Commission and Mayor & City Council had previously kept the record open to allow additional revisions and approvals related to stormwater and environmental plans, as well as to address concerns raised by the public.
Those updates have now been submitted, and the record is set to close on June 26 for the Planning Commission, which will make a recommendation on July 1. The Mayor & City Council will then take final action on July 20. The proposal would bring hundreds of new apartments, new retail space, and a series of public amenities to the Rio Washingtonian area.
The plan calls for approximately 463 new rental units, including some designated as moderately priced housing, along with about 41,000 SFof retail. Some of the housing would be built on currently undeveloped land near the lake, while another portion would replace an existing retail building with a new mixed-use building that includes apartments above shops.
The goal is to turn the area into more of a “live, work, play” environment, where people can live on-site while still having access to shopping, dining, and entertainment. The proposal also includes a number of new public features designed to enhance the lakefront area. Plans call for a relocated and expanded playground, new picnic areas, an enclosed dog park, outdoor fitness areas, and additional walking trails that connect more closely to the water. A new small park space along the lake near the carousel is also being proposed.
To address concerns raised earlier this year, the developer has also made several traffic-related changes. These include improvements to the I-370 on-ramp, adjustments to traffic flow within Rio, a new internal road near Barnes & Noble, and safety upgrades like a raised crosswalk and improved pedestrian signage. The plan has generated significant discussion on social media and in public correspondence with the city, with more residents voicing concerns than support about adding additional residential buildings to the lakefront area. Supporters of the project say it will help address the need for more rental housing in Gaithersburg, while also adding new amenities and activity to the area. The development would be built in phases if approved.
Residents who want to provide input can still submit comments to [email protected] prior to the closing of the records.
