By Larry Carson
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 3, 2010; B05
Fans of a plan to urbanize central Columbia celebrated Tuesday at the cold, snowy statues of founder James W. Rouse and his brother, Willard, on the frozen shores of Lake Kittamaqundi. The two thick bills creating the zoning for the 30-year project were approved unanimously Monday night by the five-member Howard County Council.
Supporters of the six-year effort to craft a redevelopment plan believe they have laid out a path for the 43-year-old nationally known planned town to gradually recover a cutting-edge feel and attract thousands more residents and business owners to what has slipped into a comfortable but stodgy suburban malaise.
"This is the first day of an exciting new future," David Yungmann told a crowd of about 35 shivering celebrants. "This is what we've been waiting for."
General Growth Properties' plan allows up to 5,500 new residences, 4.3 million square feet of offices, hotels, 1.25 million square feet of retail, 20-story buildings, a renovated Merriweather Post Pavilion, an affordable-housing program, and cultural and transit-oriented amenities....
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5,500 new residences is a far cry from the 23,413 new residences currently under consideration for the Dulles corridor in Reston. Commercial development in the Dulles corridor is proposed at 25 million square feet instead of under 7 million for Columbia. From the article about Columbia, it sounds like the people get a vote. I don't think Reston is going to get a vote.
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