Long Reach Village Center

Developed in the 70’s, the Long Reach Village Center (LRVC) was once a hub for residents serving a variety of neighborhood needs. Various civic spaces were developed to support commercial uses and provide focal points for social interaction. With growth of newer commercial centers nearby, and changing market conditions, most of the LRVC experienced disinvestment and high vacancy rates. By 2014, the center faced decline due to increasing vacancies, poor maintenance and security issues. In response, Howard County passed legislation establishing the area as blighted and created a 19.1 acre Urban Renewal Area. As a result, the County purchased several properties, including the center, amounting to approximately 7.7 acres for redevelopment.

 

Long Reach Village Center Panoramic View

On Tuesday, June 20th, 2023, County Executive Calvin Ball and County staff briefed the Long Reach Village Board, community, and tenants of the Village Center on the County’s intent to issue a Request for Proposal for redevelopment, built upon the ReImagine Long Reach plan.  A prior RFP effort ended in 2019, when the selected developer notified the County that they would no longer pursue the project.  Since that time, the County has prioritized stabilization and occupancy of the village center through the Long Reach Rising plan. 

View the Presentation here.  Please email longreach@howardcountymd.gov if you have any questions.

Request For Proposals (RFP)

An RFP for the disposition and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center is posted here. Responses to the RFP are due on January 10, 2024. 

About the Property

Surroundings: This image provides an aerial view of the property and its surrounding areas. 

Address: 8775 Cloudleap Court, Columbia, MD 21045

Year Built: 1974

Property Land Area: 7.71 Acres

Zoning: New Town District

For additional background material about the Long Reach Village Center and community plans, please refer to the Resources section below.

Long Reach Rising

County Executive Calvin Ball presented his vision for Long Reach Rising in a work session of the Long Reach Community Association on February 18th, 2020.

You can view the presentation video here and the PowerPoint presentation here. The video of the live streamed event is available online. We welcome your feedback on the County's vision for a vibrant village center and invite you to provide your comments below.

Aerial view of Long Reach Rising
Title

Arts & Culture

Content

Through the Long Reach Rising leasing strategy, the County has welcomed several new tenants that offer services, or are mission focused in Arts & Culture, including:

  • African Art Museum of Maryland, one of three in the United States focused exclusively on African art. Founded by Doris Ligon in 1980, the African Art Museum of Maryland is dedicated to the encouragement of broader understanding and awareness of the diverse cultures and artistic expressions of the people of the African continent.
  • Andersen-Becker & ManneqART, operated by Lee Andersen. Andersen-Becker Inc, a 25 year old company that produces art clothing designed by Lee Andersen, will be creating a new fabric store and opening their fourth Factory Store in the Long Reach Village Center. They provide internship opportunities for local students and also donate materials to local artists. ManneqART, a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization for Education in the Arts looks to engage a community committed to embracing the arts.
  • Roll Up N Dye, a tie-dye studio owned by Erin Cassell, winner of the 2017 Howard County Change Maker Challenge. Roll Up N Dye holds tie-dye parties and facilitates team building workshops for all ages.
  • Howard County Arts Council, a longstanding institution in the County devoted to nurturing local artists and arts organizations, furthering the public’s appreciation of the arts, and ensuring that the arts are accessible — regardless of age, ability or economic status.
Title

Education

Content

Through the Long Reach Rising leasing strategy, the County has welcomed several new tenants that offer services, or are mission focused in Education, including:

  • Head Start, a program designed to prepare children socially, emotionally, and academically for kindergarten. The new Bauder Education Center will also serve as a family support center that provides wrap around services that include housing, energy and food assistance while their children are receiving a high-quality education that prepares them for kindergarten.
  • Every Kid Can Cook, a nonprofit working to improve the mental, academic, emotional and physical well-being of youth through culturally inclusive culinary nutrition education, leadership opportunities and programming.
  • Power 52, whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty, unemployment, under employment, and incarceration in our urban communities across the nation through economic empowerment and clean energy access.
Title

Economic Empowerment

Content

Through the Long Reach Rising leasing strategy, the County has welcomed several new tenants that offer services, or are mission focused in Economic Empowerment, including:

  • Roving Radish, whose mission is to promote healthy farm to table eating habits while creating a sustainable market for our local farms.
  • Blooming Hope Dominican Hair Salon offering hair services for women, men and children, and offer beauty products and accessories.
  • Howard International Grocer offering international foods, halal meat, fresh meat, frozen meat, fish, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, milk, eggs, snacks, and more.  
  • VM Services offering cellular phones, phone plans, wire transfers and more.
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Exterior Improvements

Content

Continued beautification of the exterior and shared areas. The following list of projects have either been completed or are in process for future completion:

  1. Power washing of building walls and soffits;
  2. Repair of trim and soffits; painting of steel columns;
  3. Restoration of all exterior lighting and painting and repair of light poles;
  4. Power washing sidewalks; painting of parking lot striping, curbs and steel bollards;
  5. Repair of storm drains;
  6. Cleaning of courtyard drains;
  7. Trimming of trees, bushes and weeds;
  8. Painting of wood panels below windows;
  9. Clean window exteriors at all storefronts;
  10. Replace canvas awnings;
  11. Secured an office for the security guard
    Image
    Before and After exterior improvements
 

Long Reach Directory

View a list of businesses at Long Reach, their suite numbers, and their hours of operation.

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