Community Members Voice Out on Meritus Redevelopment Project
By: Carmen Chau
Updated: January 31, 2013
HAGERSTOWN, MD- It started nine to 10 months ago and it was their third public meeting.
Meritus consultants presented its proposed plan on the redevelopment of the former hospital site.
"The proposed plan for the site is mixtures. It includes office employment, it includes office opportunities for residential, it includes opportunities for public space, it includes opportunities for some retail infill, parking and research and development/space," says Sean Davis, principal of Morris & Ritchie Associates.
The initial plan is to have more of an employment opportunity rather than a residential opportunity because it could make the plan more marketable.
The plan aims to offer more to the community's convenience with the addition of existing businesses.
"It'd be good to get uses out of the site being ideally to be able to provide for some either employees or residents to use existing businesses within the community so ideally it would affect them in a very positive way," says Davis.
Community members expressed some concerns, but one resident was hopeful.
"For the city of Hagerstown, it could really be a big enhancement, it would open up the whole east end of Hagerstown, and tie downtown Hagerstown with the east end," says Hagerstown resident, Jerry Cump.
One city council member says residents need to be prepared.
"We need to be prepared. The city needs to have a strong tax space and it also needs to have good neighborhoods for citizens, finding that right balance is where we want to go," says Martin Brubaker, Hagerstown City Council member.
It is a balance council members hope to create with the help of the community. The project is still in its planning stages and Meritus consultants are not yet seeking approval.
Meritus consultants presented its proposed plan on the redevelopment of the former hospital site.
"The proposed plan for the site is mixtures. It includes office employment, it includes office opportunities for residential, it includes opportunities for public space, it includes opportunities for some retail infill, parking and research and development/space," says Sean Davis, principal of Morris & Ritchie Associates.
The initial plan is to have more of an employment opportunity rather than a residential opportunity because it could make the plan more marketable.
The plan aims to offer more to the community's convenience with the addition of existing businesses.
"It'd be good to get uses out of the site being ideally to be able to provide for some either employees or residents to use existing businesses within the community so ideally it would affect them in a very positive way," says Davis.
Community members expressed some concerns, but one resident was hopeful.
"For the city of Hagerstown, it could really be a big enhancement, it would open up the whole east end of Hagerstown, and tie downtown Hagerstown with the east end," says Hagerstown resident, Jerry Cump.
One city council member says residents need to be prepared.
"We need to be prepared. The city needs to have a strong tax space and it also needs to have good neighborhoods for citizens, finding that right balance is where we want to go," says Martin Brubaker, Hagerstown City Council member.
It is a balance council members hope to create with the help of the community. The project is still in its planning stages and Meritus consultants are not yet seeking approval.
