youtube image
From YouTube: Owings Mills Metro Center

Description

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz today announced the start of construction for the centerpiece building at Owings Mills Metro Centre, a transit oriented town center. The six-story building will house the largest public library branch in Baltimore County and a center for the Community College of Baltimore County, Maryland's largest community college.
Metro Centre

The 120,000 square foot building is estimated to cost $30 million including building construction, furnishings, and opening day book collection for the library. Construction is scheduled to be complete in winter 2013, "With construction at the Metro Centre underway, the Owings Mills economic engine is about to launch into high speed," said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.

"This is a major milestone in moving the Metro Centre project forward," said Howard Brown, on behalf of the Managing Members of Owings Mills Transit, LLC. "Once the infrastructure for the library and college building has been completed, we will turn our attention to the next phase of development, the Town Center, with a lively mix of shops, offices, a hotel and apartments."
Transit Oriented Project

"As one of the State's first transit oriented development projects, Owings Mills Metro Centre reflects Governor Martin O'Malley's Smart, Green and Growing initiative," said Maryland Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley. "We are transforming acres of surface parking adjacent to a transit station into a productive, vibrant and walkable mixed-use community. As a result, we will reduce sprawl, increase transit ridership and improve the environment by getting more cars off the road. This kind of development is key to Maryland's future."
LEED Silver Standards

The building is designed to meet LEED Silver standards for commercial construction set by U.S. Green Building Council. Green features include bicycle storage and changing rooms, a green roof, high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, and water saving features such as low-flow lavatories.

"Today marks a long-awaited new chapter in creating a vibrant new downtown for Owings Mills," said Baltimore County Councilman Ken Oliver.
Metro Centre Building Facts

* Six-story centerpiece of transit oriented development at the Owings Mills Metro station
* Owings Mills branch of the Baltimore County Public Library and Community College of Baltimore County center
* Total size: 120,000 square feet
* 50,000 square foot library on first and second floors, largest branch in the County
* 70,000 square foot space for Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) on floors 4 thru 6
* 3rd Floor will be meeting and conference rooms shared by the Library and the Community College of Baltimore County

The State, through the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), is contributing $9.7 million toward the community college portion of the building. The County is funding the $20.3 million balance.

The State and County are providing a grant toward the garages and infrastructure totaling $28.2 million, $15.1 million State / $13.1 million County.
Construction Facts

* Project will provide jobs for about 150 workers
* Contractor: CAM Construction Company, awarded by competitive bid
* Construction to begin July 2011 and scheduled to complete winter 2013

Building Green

* Building to meet LEED Silver standards
* Green building features include proximity to public transportation, bicycle storage and changing rooms to encourage people not to drive
* Energy use is greatly reduced by the building's green roof and high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems
* Water consumption is reduced by more than 40 percent through water saving features such as low-flow lavatories

Baltimore County Public Library Owings Mills Branch

* Largest Baltimore County Public Library branch
* 142,000 item collection
* 70 public access computers
* Six self-service check out stations
* Four study rooms - one for teen use and one large quiet study area
* Magazine lounge
* Children's area with early learning center
* Large community meeting room that can be divided into three rooms, shared with CCBC
* Cafe with seating for 17
* Four LCD flat screen televisions
* 65 study tables, 85 chairs, 80 lounge chairs, 20 lounge tables

Community College of Baltimore County Owings Mills Center

* 27 classrooms
* 29 offices for administrative and student services
* Offices for faculty/staff
* Bookstore, training room, testing and assessment room, reception area, shared meeting space
* Technology: Smart classrooms
* Expected Course Offerings:
o Nursing
o Art
o Biology
o General Education
o ESOL
o CEED
o Consumer health classes