UMd Golf Course Plan Dropped

UMd golf course (The Washington Post)

After weeks of opposition from local residents, business and community leaders, the plan to build an “academic village” on some part of the UMd golf course has been dropped.

Please see more about the news here on the Washington Post.

In a letter to the UMd. president Dr. Loh, the developer Mr. Gibsons wrote:

Dear Dr. Loh,
In response to your letter of October 14, we have been finalizing and planning to unveil a concept plan to create a Terrapin-themed parkway and Academic Village that would help create a world-class gateway to the University, while addressing mounting traffic congestion on Route One and other local roads.

Recently, some elected officials have come out in opposition of our idea, although none of them have seen our conceptual plan. As someone who loves the University, it was never my intent for this concept to become a political football or have the University become embroiled in political theatre.

As a result, we have no present plans to submit either our concept plan or a development proposal to the University. Instead, as suggested by several stakeholders, we will devote our energies toward further analyzing the development challenges facing Route One and to consider how we might be able to contribute toward coming up with beneficial solutions.

I look forward to supporting any and all efforts to help make the University a world-class institution in every way.

Best regards … and Go Terps,
Brian Gibbons,
Chairman and CEO