Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1963-04-04

De IOTCeQ 10 move away WIlel
According to Russell r. Mont
ney, director of planning and
urban renewal for the city,
members of his staff are con-
tacting residents of the 46.4-
acre area to obtain Information
that can be used to help them
relocate.
Principal data sought involves
the number of members of each
family and the type of homes
they prefer with respect to
houses or apartments.
At the same time, Montney
pointed out, the survey will pin
point the number of homes to
be affected by the renovation
project launched last November
as a move to revive the down
town center of the County Seat.
Initial estimates placed the
figure at 100 or more families.
Under federal aid to be pro-
vided for the renewal program,
the planning director said, the
city will be able to pay up to
$500 to each displaced family for
moving costs in addition to the
purchase price of the property
involved.
On the basis of progress
already made in development of
the project by planning and
engineering employees, according
to Montney, city officials are
sticking by their original predic-
ton that the actual renewal pro-
gram will get underway by Sep
TENDER with the initial property
purchases and relocation of
affected families and businesses.
Meanwhile, already under way
are two appraisal programs -
one to determine the value of
property to be taken over by
the city at the start of urban
renewal and the other to estab-
lish the resale value of the land
after its improvement in the
project. Four appraisers have
been employed by the city, three
of them assigned to the pre-
renewal appraisals.
The city will attempt to pur-
chase the property through
negotiations with owners on the
basis of cost estimates brought
in by the appraisers, MOntney
said, but can initiate cOndemna-
ton - proceedings If necessary
under its urban renewal author
ity.
Overall cost of the renovation
project is $12 million under the
existing plan, to be financed
mostly by private capital. Three
fourths of the net loss in resell
ing the land after acquisition
will be provided by the federal
Housing and Home Finance
Administration and the balance
by the city through bond issues.
A joint venture on which
work is also under way would
provide for extensive parking
facilities, both above and below
ground, at an estimated cost of
nearly Sc million. However,
Montney said, it has not yet
been determined to what extent
the city can rely on federal aid
on this phase of the renewal
program, although we are
assured there will be some"
With work on the project hav-
ing reached the point where Off
Gals are about ready to submit
their plan to HHFA for prelim-
nary consideration, the City
Councils advisory committee on
urban renewal has suggested
that a downtown information
office be established by the city
to assist the numerous inter-
ested taxpayers.
Under the proposal of the citi-
zens' group, the office would be
set up in vacant store and
would provide telephone as well
as personal service to inquirers.
City officials have indicated
the proposal will be considered
by the council as a service 10 be
provided in the 1963.64 budget,
which will be enacted prior to
July 1.
The overall renewal program
would eradicate most of the
existing downtown area over a
five-year period, replacing some
of the torn-down structures with
ultra-modern buildings and 9TH