Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1962-11-29
RockvilGe's Exciting Plan


urban renewal plan. Broad in scope and imaginative in
design the plan seems nevertheless emneny practical
and the many who have watched blight spread
through the heart of the county seat take heart
There is much work remaining to be done, however,
Patience while job of this magnitude is undertaken
absolutely necessary. There will undoubtedly, be
of personal hardship Large amounts Of private capital
will be needed to execute the plan Wide community inter-
est nand acceptance ohe plan is an essential ngredi-
ent before it can begin to achieve reality.
County residents have big stake in the plan. The
county seat of Montgomery should indeed be OF
pride TO all county residents And the proposed plan,
executed would transform the county seat-possbly in
brief five years-nto of the most attractive areas
along the Atlantic Seaboard.
But it the residents of Rockville who have the big
gest stake and they should-to manbegin to bestir
themselves Contoversyor for that matter general
public nreres-has been conspclousy absent thus far in
the urban renewal program Perhaps this has been be-
cause everyone knows that something must be done to
revitaze downtown Rockville And they knew that some
thing being done. But now-with concrete plan
preparedt is time for all Rockville residents to take
interest 1t is their city This is the biggest thing that
has happened to their city They should make their
views known and possible take active part in promu
eating the plan Without strong community support the
plan will die 1t is imperative that plan, pro-
gram be approved And it is urgent necessity that such
remedial action be taken swiftly possible.
The planners and city government heads deserve
great deal of credit for their handling of the urban renewal
program to date Coping with the problem of
coming up with firm plan for the virtual rebuilding of
pickering and delay They have amicaby resolved their
differences that today they united in support of
single, strong plan. And they determined to carry
it out-wit notifications demanded by Rockville citizens
las swiftly they
City taxpayers should be treasured major point
from the outset The renewal project will result in tax
increases An almost unbelievaby low 900 in tax
is produced for the city treasury from the blight
ed areony 3 per cent of the cys total tax take Tax
from the revitaized area will produce upwards
of $80000 with the increase than osetng costs of
the program to the city and, in fact producing tidy net
profit On deal like this they say how you lose?
Meanwhile the city needs willing cooperation from
the county, state and Federal governments The county
should act favoraby the ciys strong hope that large
library will be located in the urban renewal 1t is to
be earnestly hoped that the county will approve proposed
court house addition that in conformity with the renewal
Plan The help of the State Roads Commission desper
atey needed in reconstruction of the intersection of East
Montgomery Avenue, Veirs Mill Road and Hmgerford
Drive to make possible almporant facet of the plan
The Federal Government should review the plan and APP
prove it as swiftly possible eliminating red tape and
bureaucratic delay to the maximum extent.
But what is most needed-and now-is strong COM
mmty support and acceptance of the cys courageous
and intelligent proposal to move-and swiftly-to
solve its most serious problem