CA Celebrates Latest Groundbreaking in The Merriweather District
Columbia Association (CA) President/CEO Milton W. Matthews congratulates Howard Hughes Corporation and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball on Wednesday afternoon’s groundbreaking event for Marlow, the latest addition to The Merriweather District.
The building is part of Howard Hughes Corporation’s investment in Downtown Columbia. Marlow will be the second apartment complex going up across from Symphony Woods Park, open space that CA owns and maintains for the community.
“The development taking place in the heart of Downtown Columbia speaks to the vitality of this community and the demand for additional housing options,” Matthews said. “The proximity of Symphony Woods Park and other arts and entertainment amenities undoubtedly make this area a desirable place to live and operate a business.
Once Marlow is completed in 2022, the seven-story building will bring nearly 500 new apartment homes to the downtown area and another 32,000 square feet of retail space.
“Adding to the diversity of businesses and availability of residential units will only increase the vitality of the Columbia community, which benefits all of us,” Matthews said. “CA looks forward to having even more people enjoy our pathways, attending events on the Downtown Lakefront, and enjoying the open space in Downtown Columbia.”
Development, redevelopment and sustainable green space in the area are vital components of The Downtown Columbia Plan. Adopted in February 2010, The Downtown Columbia Plan calls for the many acres comprising Symphony Woods and Merriweather Post Pavilion to become a cultural park, supporting arts and civic uses for people of all ages.
“As we consider the potential for the future of Symphony Woods Park and finalize plans to best serve the greater Howard County community in that space, we understand the evolution of the surrounding landscape makes it even more crucial to preserve the integrity of this open space and protect this precious acreage as a place for respite for all ages and backgrounds in the midst of a growing downtown area” Matthews said.