Posted on 08/08/2010 2:06:20 PM PDT by Willie Green
ROCKVILLE, Md. — This suburb of Washington, D.C., inspired R.E.M.'s 1984 song about the soul-sucking blandness of a suburban adolescence that has been a staple of rock and roll. "(Don't Go Back to) Rockville" described a town of empty houses, "where nobody says hello."
But some experts in the real estate business believe that in the future, more and more of us will be going back to places like the revamped Rockville — quite happily, in fact.
"They had a point at the time," Sally Sternbach, the head of Rockville's economic development arm, says of R.E.M.'s quiet anthem. "We got it wrong. We built a mall that never found its anchors. It languished for 40 years. It was like the biblical 40 years in the desert."
Then, 15 years ago, Rockville convened hearings and forums to discuss its lackluster downtown, deciding in the end to replace it with a town square lined with shops, restaurants and apartments, all steps away from a subway station — in other words, more of an urban experience.
The citizenry wanted vibrant street life both for the fun of it, and to attract business. So far, it's worked. Teenagers use Facebook to signal spur-of-the-moment breakdance sessions on the town square's bandstand because, as Dominique Estrera, 17, explained, it's really the only place they can "hang out and break."
Adults like to socialize there, too. "I love the Town Square because I can't walk more than a couple feet without seeing someone I know from doing business," said Robin Wiener, president of Get Real Consulting, a firm that helps healthcare providers put their records online.
Rockville's renaissance over the past four years shows how the shift toward urban-style living has reached the suburbs. And urban planners insist the trend has legs.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
As one who lived there, you’re wrong.
I live in the area. Rockville has its good points but there are many not-so-good. High taxes. Unrelenting LIBs and govt workers everywhere. Excessive spending (of other peoples’ money) always on the “best” or “first”. Gobs of illegals. A housing-chit program so socio-economic levels can “blend”. Lots of crime. No hope for ANY conservative idea to survive for a second. Arrogant, mindless politicians (i.e., Rep. van hollen, sens. mikulski & cardin). In short...this place is forsaken.
We are the lucky ones and they will never understand... and that is good. ;>)
Which part did you live in and WHEN did you live there. It has changed rapidly.
When did you last visit Montgomery Co. MD? If it wasn't in the last 5-10 years you would be SHOCKED.
I don’t need to go to MontCo to see illegals, I can just look out a window of my house.
Would you like me to photo document what I am talking about? There are 7,500 Hispanics in Twinbrook alone. You have no clue.
Please you should STFU then, since you are quoting stats that are total lies.
I accept your apology for being a complete prick. Have a nice day.
When somebody gives me fist hand information I usually listen to them, not try to counter dict them on a public forum.
I have family on both Veirs Mill Road and Georgia Avenue, so I see that area regularly. You are describing someplace else. Or maybe you just like to exaggerate.
Go to the intersection of University and Viers Mill Rd at say 7:00 AM on any workday and find ONE white person, ONE.
The new Rockville town center, if you could call Rockville a city...is quite nicely done. It replaced an ugly aging structure and quite a bit of suburban blight. This is however not the city, and the area the new development covers is quite small, has some shopping a movie theatre and restaurants. It’s also close to the Montgomery county offices and the courthouses.
I think what the author of this articles should have said, is that city or townscape retail/commercial architecture has made a comeback in suburbia. There is tons of this style going up, extending as far out as the exurbs. Nobody is building shopping malls anymore. The closest thing are box centers, and the mini townscape shopping centers surrounded by parking lots is the new commercial style.
As a person who grew up in Rockville and with my parents still living there, you’re way wrong about crime.
Read the free Gazette weekly police report. Crime is there. Usually by various “people of color”. Not to be racist or anything.
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