Is it me or didn't they already announced a theater would anchor the complex?

Sadly self containing new construction does not address the failure of York Road and Towson Commons. I say have the county use eminent domain and build a school.

I love the school ideas... :)

Will a movie theater and attached retails shops with a co-located parking garage be successful in the center of Towson? Ask the owners of Towson Commons, just saying.

Only tourists and teens shop at these mini-malls... what about the increase to traffic and impact on parking (and I know it's a new garage and more spaces, but we don't need more paid/expensive parking, we have enough of that already).

Since the county is footing the bill for the garage, shouldn't it be FREE PARKING? Any word on that? (I'm laughing at myself just writing the question!)

I wish them luck... but am I enthused about it? Meh.

For those of us less familiar with the area, where exactly is Towson Circle III?

The cemetery in the middle of the square is a nice touch. It just screams "Even death and history won't hamper our newest monument to vapid consumerism."

Mr. Waldman, were you able to find out what stores and restaurants will be opening at Towson Circle III?

This seems like a nice addition to the DT Towson area, along with Towson City Center and Towson Green, BUT what is the county leaders and Towson Chamber of Commerce going to do about Towson Commons and the empty store fronts along York Road? It concerns me that along the main thoroughfare, there is run down and empty store fronts, with no help in sight.

There are five projects that are critical as part of the overall revitalization for Downtown Towson: (1) the renovation of the Investment Building into Towson City Center; (2) Towson Circle III in northeastern Towson; (3) the residential Towson Green project in east-central Towson; (4) Towson Commons; and (5) whatever happens at the Towson Triangle near York Road, Towsontown Boulevard, and Burke Avenue. The first three will be finished within the next two years, and each adds something different: office workers and headquarters at Towson City Center; entertainment and restaurant options at Towson Circle III; stable housing at Towson Green.

I have made no secret of my frustration at the status of Towson Commons, but I am maintaining an active dialogue with the County Executive's office and know they are pursuing a number of options. This is a priority for the County Executive.

Regarding school funding, the county is pouring millions into new classroom space along York Road. More needs to be done, but a thriving economic base in Downtown Towson will yield new tax revenue that can be applied to schools and other projects.

Tyler I really enjoy your columns but I have to tell you that several of the folks who regularly comment-- Stuts and Johnny Towson in particular-- are really miserable human beings. I can't imagine looking at the world through their eyes. If they can't see that $85 million of private investment in the middle of Towson is a good thing, they simply can't be saved. I feel sorry for their family and friends. Can't imagine having to be around them.

This is just great news. Kamenetz just seems to get it. Keep taxes down. Put money in schools. Don't layoff employees. Support the private sector. I wish more democrats governed like this guy.

Bob Weiner-- thank you. I love Patch but I get sick and tired of reading comments by morons--- yes that's you Stuts and Johnny. Unless you guys are doing schtick, you are two sick puppies. You both are so filled with venom, it's actually unnerving. People like Nancy Hafford and others work themselves to the bone to make Towson a better place. We have a County Executive who didn't give up on the project and secured investment that will put people to work and you idiots just want to tear everything down. I hope your parents keep you in at night.

Whoa Willie, let's dial it down a bit. I do think that many of the comments are clearly made by folks with an ax to grind, but I'm not sure it helps to call them morons. I do wish that Councilman Marks would ask them to tone it down a bit. I assume they are republicans and supporters of his who just hate any democrat. He seems like a pretty nice guy so I wish he would reject their rhetoric as well. Jobs are jobs-- they aren't either a democratic or republican idea. Making Towson come alive-- not democratic or republican-- just good.

Willie, and Bob, Thank you so much. It seems there are some people who can see the positive influence this development will have on Towson.
The negative comments flow constantly, and these are the reason Towson has rotted away under the previous councilman. These people are never happy and fight every new idea that comes along.
Thank goodness for David Marks, who has made the revitalization of Towson job #1. Revenue and jobs for Towson is a very positive step forward.
New ideas are just what we need, not these old, mouldering blockades to progress!

Speaking of developments, some of the misinformed seem to have forgotten a project in Dundalk called York Way.

Here are the figures on that little ditty. A PUD allocated $20 million of taxpayer monies to purchase the property. The justification was it would reduce crime. False premise. Crime is not reduced in a case such as this but simply dispersed to surrounding areas.

In addition to county funds, if my memory serves me correctly, the state kicked in another $2 million to tear down the apartments for the developer. Nice perk there.

Now, lets look at the return to the taxpayers. The developer paid $1.6 million for the property. According to the provisions of the PUD his return to the community was to repair the Dundalk Gazebo, that's it.

A total of 66 homes are to be built and the last time I checked there were about 35 done meaning the project, already approaching three years is far from being finished.

Now we are looking at the development of Fort Howard which will be a $500 million deal. This project will also require a PUD. Can't wait to see that one.

By the way, the developers on that project failed to respond to community concerns over infrastructure issues. Not a peep from them.

I would suggest to those who seem to belittle people, do your homework before speaking on the subject at hand. That way you don't look so foolish commenting on an issue without the facts.

Tyler, Do you remember if they happened to mention anything about the cemetery at that site? Thanks!

Yes there is a small cemetery. Three or more years ago the developers told the Greater Towson Council of Community Associations that the cemetery would become part of a small park.

Now if they can separate the rowdy crowds from real shoppers that would be nice. I am
wondering if this can succeed, after all 'peddlers village' was the beginning of this site and it is gone & forgotten. Remember also this is a college town now and folks don't usually like that.

Speaking of developing Towson and the impact, whether pro or con, can anyone report on the high-end condos, turned apartments at the corner of Dulaney Valley Road and Fairmount Ave.?

At night when I ride by there I seldom see lights on in those units. Many of them look vacant. What is the story on that development?

I was going to try to participate in further discussion about the project here on Patch, and I have some questions (especially about the $20M of tax money being posted), but given the way that nasty little cheerleading squad is acting today, maybe it's best to avoid it... calling people "morons" ? Really ? That there are similar projects in Towson that have failed, the taxpayer contribution, the locating of a huge garage within mere blocks of two empty garages... these are legitimate things to address.

Thank you David Marks for trying to do what you think is best for the community... and I appreciate the rest of you who are civil enough to accept that not everyone is in lockstep agreement with these "venomous" cheerleaders and are willing to talk about things.

+1 to Buss Beeler's followup about the "condos" - how is that all working out, I don't seem to see much foot/car traffic or lights either.

David, thank your for putting into context what this is all about. It goes to the core of addressing the needs of the community by our elected officials. Public discourse is one thing, but I have a problem with the name calling based solely on emotion and not the facts.

I did make some followup calls on that project from someone who would know. They were quite knowledgeable and revealed what they felt were some associated problems.

The developers did not work closely with the community which would have provided additional options in the event the high end aspect did not meet expectations.

Apparently both you and I observed the same things, because this source also made reference to the occupancy rate, which I think is low for a project of that magnitude.

I learned a couple of great lesson from my years on the department. Make sure all of your ducks are in a row before taking the witness stand and if you can't speak intelligently, don't say anything.

If these people want to defend the administration, do so on the facts, not emotional rhetoric. That way we can all benefit from the discourse.

Bart with all due respect please take the time to go over the material and or history of the situation before making a comment. It does not bode well for one's creditability if they don't.

I say this, not only to you, but others as well - over and over and over again. Please use due diligence in researching prior comments and information.

Here is your quote: "Buzz, with all due respect, this is about Towson. Fort Howard and Dundalk are not in Towson."

Bart what county do you live in? Who is the county executive? Does each of the seven councilmanic districts operate independently from each other?

I live in Baltimore County. I PAY COUNTY TAXES! I grew up in Towson and worked there until the 70's. My mother still lives in TOWSON! Ya think I might have an vested interest in not only Towson but anywhere else in Baltimore County where my tax dollars are being spent? Yes that is correct, they are some of my dollars along with every other soul in this county who is paying for some of those issue you allude to.

I use Dundalk as the factual issue BECAUSE THIS SYSTEMATIC of the process, not only in Towson, but other parts of the county as well.

If your concept regarding filling vacant units or businesses will work based on this development, what is it not working at those condos at Dulaney and Fairmount. What the heck is across the street? A whole giant shopping mall.

You said lets get ahead of the curve. Have you ever read the budget, even once?

Photos of the gravesite in the middle of the planned Towson Circle III:

http://www.forgeflyer.com/2012/01/yup-theres-grave-in-middle-of-site-of.html

I wonder if they will move it or work around.

my question is... between all the development in Hunt Valley (some of which is incomplete), Owings Mills - the solo cup redevelopment and the Mall revitalization and now this, isn't there simply too much retail development? Can this area really sustain all of this? I'd like to see the economic feasibility studies and how they tie into the demographics here.

Mismel, the county flies by the seat of their pants in many of these matters. The relationship between developers and the politicians is well documented.

I keep going back to York Way because it is a microcosmic of this systemic problem. The premise for that whole development was flawed.

Another case in point is the Thistle Landing PUD. The county's own studies suggested this development was not good fit for the community and it was voted down by the council. End of story, not quite.

A couple of well connected phone calls, and a councilman's statement that he was advised by the county attorney that the council acted too hastily in voting that project down and guess what? It's now a done deal. I would love to see the memo from the county attorney on that one.

I have spent years with other professionals looking into these issues and I will tell you it is disturbing.

John L, thank you. I'm still waiting for a reply. Generally speaking when one basis their comments on emotions rather then the reality of the issues, their position is hard to defend.

As a cop and writer, it has always been drilled into my head to deal in facts. The old saying talk is cheap relates to my point.

One of the biggest realizations of that is this little ditty, that embarrassed the leader of the free world. He forgot to look at the facts and the photo-op was more important than the reality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFdx8xvp5SE

Having lived in Towson for 26 years I've seen things come and go as far as stores and restaurants. The only thing that seems to always grow is the University (and that's a sore spot as far as I'm concerned).
My biggest concern about this project is security. Is it going to turn into another TowsonTowne Mall? When it first opened it was a great place. Now, at night, I no longer feel safe. If they can't keep a mall safe how are they going to keep this area safe?

Has everyone forgotten about the crowds of kids bussed in from the city who used to hang around in front, and inside of Towson Commons? What will be done to keep this same situation from happening at this new development?
This was the real reason for the failure of Towson Commons, but no one will admit it.

Wow Sullivan what a one-minded statement. How us "city kids" make Towson Common a failure? I mean it was going down hill way before the so called "city kids" started to hang out there!

A few suggestions for the Towson Circle III and the movie theater complex: In my observation, no one loves and frequents movies more on weekends than teenagers and college kids. The movies are a place to see and be seen. Teenagers of non-driving age are usually dropped off and picked up by their parents in front of the theater or relatively closeby, so the developers need to keep that in mind or there will be undue congestion. Also, there needs to be some type of establishment where the teenagers and underage college students can go before or after the movies if they wish; otherwise, they will just congregate where they can to hang out, and see and be seen, much to the annoyance of other patrons. Out at Hunt Valley, they have some fun places for them to go such as Vaccaros, Carvel, 5 Below, California Kitchen, etc. In finding tenants for the space, the developers should really try to allow at least 1 of those places that welcome that demographic. The old Burger King was a hangout of sorts and so was the front of Towson Commons because there really wasnt any place else they were permitted to go that was open past 9:30pm. If they factor the needs of this demographic in locating tenants and planning the space, they can alleviate the problems that beseiged Towson Commons. [That and they need to pay particular attention to service and security: both, in my opinion, at Towson Commons were not good, not even from the start.]

I see the Grempler building fell last night. The fencing barely goes back to the edge of the parking lot in the back though. Is this finally the beginning of Towson Circle III? There are no signs up.

Young couple here looking to buy a house in Towson. The finished cost of the smallest floorplan in the Towson Green townhomes is in the low 400s. I am not familiar with this side of town. They look like lovely houses. Would you recommend these Towson Green homes to your own daughter? Do you think it is safe and a good investment?