'Smart City' Atop South Mountain Will Have it All (Hagerstown: home, middle school)

[Dequindre]

Local architects, engineers and contractors are teaming up for a massive redevelopment of the former Fort Ritchie.

They say developing Cascade Town Centre is like creating Tysons Corner, Reston or Pentagon City -- all renowned planned communities in northern Virginia.

https://www.publicopiniononline.com/...ain/522057002/

[westsideboy]

Ok, what is the straight dope on this? Every time I read about it, it sounds too good to be true, like a pyramid scam or something.

Not saying it is.........but why are companies in South Korea interested in opening so many strange, seemingly disparate operations on that patch of land? It's a rather "out there" location for a big planned community, IMO.

[Dequindre]

Originally Posted by westsideboy

Ok, what is the straight dope on this? Every time I read about it, it sounds too good to be true, like a pyramid scam or something.

Not saying it is.........but why are companies in South Korea interested in opening so many strange, seemingly disparate operations on that patch of land? It's a rather "out there" location for a big planned community, IMO.

It DOES sound too good to be true, and I've had those concerns as well, but a lot of reputable local companies are getting involved in this (Summit Health, Newcomer Associates, Brechbill & Helman, etc.).

[MidValleyDad]

Have any of y'all been up to Ft Ritchie? The big problem is there are no JOBS in the area. Hagerstown has had trouble keeping major employers (I do not count warehouse operations as major employers, they don't really have that many well paid jobs) and Ft Ritchie is in the boonies compared to Hagerstown. The roads are horrible, especially in the winter. I'll wait and see. I get up that way avery couple months to visit an excellent model railroad store across the state line in Blue Ridge Summit PA.

[Dequindre]

Originally Posted by MidValleyDad

Have any of y'all been up to Ft Ritchie? The big problem is there are no JOBS in the area. Hagerstown has had trouble keeping major employers (I do not count warehouse operations as major employers, they don't really have that many well paid jobs) and Ft Ritchie is in the boonies compared to Hagerstown. The roads are horrible, especially in the winter. I'll wait and see. I get up that way avery couple months to visit an excellent model railroad store across the state line in Blue Ridge Summit PA.

Yep, I've been there. I've often wondered how they'll be able to recruit businesses with those narrow roads up there. Maybe the South Koreans are used to that kind of road network.

[DaveinMtAiry]

I was thinking the same thing. This area is beautiful but so remote I can't see how this will work. Don't you need people to support restaurants?

[Dequindre]

Originally Posted by DaveinMtAiry

I was thinking the same thing. This area is beautiful but so remote I can't see how this will work. Don't you need people to support restaurants?

The former base is expected to be home to 10,000 to 12,000 people once all is said and done (a population that will consist of year-round residents and students).

[MidValleyDad]

Originally Posted by Dequindre

The former base is expected to be home to 10,000 to 12,000 people once all is said and done (a population that will consist of year-round residents and students).

So is this going to be a self contained community where everyone there works there? Or are they hoping to find jobs in the area for that many more people? How many years is this supposed to take? It will be interesting to see what Washington County does for services (Schools, etc) in the area.

[westsideboy]

It's all so strange.........but if this type of development was planned for Howard County, would we bat an eye?

[Dequindre]

Originally Posted by MidValleyDad

So is this going to be a self contained community where everyone there works there? Or are they hoping to find jobs in the area for that many more people? How many years is this supposed to take? It will be interesting to see what Washington County does for services (Schools, etc) in the area.

1. I think it is intended to be kind of self-contained, but I don't think anyone will be forced to live there or anything.

2. There will certainly be jobs for existing local residents, which is why Washington County was comfortable with giving this development group the property.

3. I haven't seen a timeframe for a complete build-out. I guess it depends on how well the economy is doing.

4. I think I read somewhere that there may be land put aside for an elementary and middle school if need be.