THE GAZETTE
Wednesday, August 7, 2013 p
Page A-7
B&O train station to get renovation Update will preserve 129-year-old station’s historic appearance
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BY
SARAH SCULLY
SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE
The historic Gaithersburg B&O train station is in the market for a fresh look. The station, built in 1884, will be renovated in the coming months. It serves commuters daily taking the MARC train, and houses the Java Junction coffee shop. The effort overall aims to modernize the station, “to create a more usable, better design for the people waiting for trains,” said Louise Kauffmann, Gaithersburg’s grant coordinator. Major plans include the renovation of two bathrooms to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards and the installation of a grease interceptor in the Java Junction sinks to prevent pollution from excess grease draining into the sewer, said Jim Arnoult, Gaithersburg director of public works. The Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission has called for grease interceptors in the coffee shop, which are also required
for compliance with Maryland environmental regulations. Other interior work includes replacing parts of the wood floors and wall renovations. Exterior work will be limited to minor roof restoration and the removal of lead paint, found mainly in the roof overhang outside of the building, according to documents the city provided potential bidders. The project aims to make updates to station facilities while preserving the historic architecture and appearance. “Inside we’re trying to make it more modern, trying to serve the commuters better,” Arnoult said. Capital Projects Manager Sunil Prithviraj, who is leading the effort, said he expects construction to begin in late September and anticipates completion of the renovation in eight to 12 weeks. The station and Java Junction will remain open throughout the renovation. City officials on Wednesday will open bids, which will be reviewed by the Facilities and Capital Projects department. The lowest cost proposal that meets all city requirements will be presented to the mayor and city council for a final vote, Prithviraj said. State and federal funding
will cover the entire cost of the renovation, without extra city funding. The state will contribute $80,000 for the project from its Community Legacy Fund, a competitive Smart Growth Grant awarded to by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, according to Kauffmann. The grants are aimed at revitalizing Maryland communities, with a focus on transit-oriented development. In 2013, Montgomery County was awarded $350,000 to implement an Environmental Façade and Streetscape Enhancement project, which will contribute in part to the renovation. The Community Planning Department — a division of the federal Housing and Urban Development Department — will provide additional funding. At this stage in the process, it is unclear exactly how much funding the federal government will offer. The project could qualify as either a historic preservation project or as development initiative in a lowincome area, Kauffmann said. Typically, the city receives about $380,000 annually from HUD, Kauffmann said. She added that some money left over from last year could also be applied to the renovation.
Mayor, council: Combine two options for Midcounty Highway Alternative to Md. 355 would link Gaithersburg with Clarksburg
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BY
SYLVIA CARIGNAN STAFF WRITER
The Gaithersburg City Council is supporting the construction of a new extension to Midcounty Highway — with conditions. The mayor and council on Monday discussed options the county has presented as an alternative to Md. 355 between the existing Midcounty Highway and Clarksburg. County officials reviewed the options with the council in May. The county’s preferred option is Alternative 9, which follows the master plan by building a new four-lane highway between the existing Midcounty Highway and WatkinsMillRoad.Therearethree options for the road’s northern end, which would each meet at the same point on Ridge Road, but take different routes to get there. Mayor Sidney Katz and council members debated whether Alternative 9 was the best choice. They also considered another option: Alternative 2, which would make improvements to 16 intersections, mostly along Md. 355 and the current Midcounty Highway, without building new roads. “The [county] study doesn’t talk about doing more than one of these things,” said Councilwoman Cathy Drzyzgula, who argued that combining Alternative 9 and Alternative 2 would benefit the city more than any one option. Choosing only Alternative 9, she said, would ignore the fact that improvements to Md. 355 intersections still will be needed. An intersection of specific concern to the mayor and council is at Montgomery Village Avenue and Md. 355, where heavy gridlock slows traffic daily. “If those intersections continue to fail, is it appropriate to assume they will never be addressed?” Drzyzgula asked. Katz agreed, saying the county could make improvements to the intersections as a project separate from the Midcounty Highway extension. “I don’t know why they couldn’t go ahead and do some of these intersections right now,” he said. Councilman Henry Marraffa said the route detailed in Alternative 9 also is necessary. “We need another alternative route to get traffic off of 355, off of [Interstate] 270,” he said. “Somewhere, we have to build this road.” Alternative 2 is expected to cost about $41 million, while Alternative 9 would cost about $350 million. Rob Robinson, the city’s long-range planner, said an analysis by city staff found “the cost of [Alternative] 9 outweighed the benefits.” Staff suggested the council support Alternative 2.
The mayor and council ultimately directed city staff to update the city’s letter of support for Midcounty Highway, saying they would like to see the improvements in Alternative 2 incorporated into Alternative 9. The city is accepting comments on the Midcounty Highway extension until Aug. 23.
City favors organic material for synthetic turf field Michele Potter, head of the city’s recreation department, along with city staff have visited synthetic turf fields around the state to provide the mayor and council with more details for their decision on Lakelands Park Middle School’s turf field.
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The $1 million field to be built near Lakelands Park — Gaithersburg’s first synthetic turf field — will be funded partially by a state grant and partially by city funds. At Monday’s meeting, Potter presented options for the “fill” material that simulates soil under the synthetic blades of grass. The mayor and council voiced their support for an organic fill, made of coconut fibers, cork and rice husks. City staff also recommended using an organic fill, especially because it does not heat up as much as synthetic materials in hot weather. The city is to start accepting bids for the project this summer. scarignan@gazette.net
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