Landowner Proposes Razing, Redeveloping 'Boomtown' Stretch

A landowner has proposed clearing more than 5 acres to build a new retail and office complex.

A major stretch of the much-maligned area of north Odenton could be slated for redevelopment under a new plan presented by the landowner Tuesday night.  The owner of a 5.25 acre plot just to the north of the Royal Farm store in Odenton said he is prepared to completely demolish existing buildings and construct 21,800 square feet of new retail space, plus some second-floor offices. At least three additional new buildings could house small restaurants and a car wash. "I went back to my guys and I said 'look, we're going to have to spend some money and we're going to have to put something on paper that is aesthetically pleasing,'" said Frank Smith, a representative of the Gardner family, which spent seven years acquiring nine different …

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Gazette: Police, Bars Work to Make 'Boomtown' Safer

The newspaper reports that the memory of past violence in the north Odenton stretch has faded.

Route 175 Widening Could Lead to 'Boomtown' Redevelopment

Economic development officials say properties in the North Odenton stretch could be impacted by the widening of the road. The situation could open up discussions about revitalization.

Plans to widen Maryland Route 175 could force the redevelopment of a large swath of property in North Odenton, commonly referred to as “Boomtown.” Officials from the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corp. (AAEDC) said that as many as 25 properties along the strip could be impacted by the wider road because of the need for additional rights of way. The situation could allow the county to work with property owners on redividing land, combining parcels or finding other ways to redevelop the stretch, AAEDC officials said. “There is some opportunity there,” said AAECD President and CEO Bob Hannon, who spoke Tuesday morning at a monthly breakfast hosted by the West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce. Current plans from the State …

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