Additional Questions from WECA Citizen’s Forum

If Rockville participates in another public-private partnership, such as Town Center, would you support or oppose Rockville taking on a major partner such as Federal Reality, which has a track record of preferential treatment of national chains to the detriment of local businesses?

Trapper Martin:

If the project had proper review ahead of time I would support another project.  Federal Reality is renting out space at market price.  Federal actually has a majority of the businesses in Town Square rented to local merchants.  Over 50% of businesses in Town Square are locally owned.

Carl Henn:

I don’t forsee Rockville taking on another major public-private partnership within the next two years (the term we are running for).   If we were to do so, it would be important to deal with a developer with a strong track record for similar developments.  But I don’t think that local businesses should be cut out of the process.  I would want local businesses to have a fair shot at new business opportunities and would work to ensure that this would be built into such a partnership.

John Britton:

Any future private-public partnership has to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis to determine the benefits – economic, social, aesthetic – to our community.  Whatever the size of the project or the predilection of the private partner, we, the city, should require a certain percentage target for local businesses to be a part of the finished project.

Mark Pierzchala:

I don’t support another such partnership. I also think Federal Realty behaves as any other partner would and has made huge efforts to market Town Square.

Phyllis Marcuccio:

The partnership arrangements documents for TC fill 6 inches of shelf in City Hall. I have a limited understanding of how and why decisions were made to permit only one partner the rights related to the commercial property involved; i.e., FRIT. A triumvirate representational governance body oversees the whole operation with all parties equal with the exception of fees for management. Having said this about the TC plan, it took much deliberating to arrive at this complicated design and it has set the pattern for future negotiating further like partnerships. As I currently understand, JBG has acquired most of the property in Phase II, is already developing Twinbrook Commons, and has other interests in the city. These large firms have agreements with chains and can replace a business in their complexes (stables of clients) easily. While I would like to see ‘homegrown,” “mom and pop,” and/or “unique or unknown franchises” have preference, and would like to find a way to arrange it, current lease costs in these enclaves are often prohibitive for these groups. However, I would work toward inclusion if possible. We almost need an “MPDU scheme” to assure such businesses can be competitive in a new large complex. Not likely to happen.

Tom Moore:

I’m not sure I can sign on to the premise of your question – I don’t know that one way or the other about Federal Realty.

Waleed Ovase:

I would support another public-private partnership, however I have reservations over Federal Realty's policies.  A stipulation would be to give local businesses the same opportunities as national chains.

Piotr Gajewski:

At base level, I would not support Rockville going into another public-private partnership like the one in Town Center. While jump-starting the Center may have been the right course, I would not support Rockville taxpayer’s participation in any further development; the taxpayers are still paying and will continue to pay for a long time for what has already been developed.

Bridget Newton:

I will support future public private partnerships but I will make sure they are crafted to benefit both parties.  For example – Federal Realty continues to collect rent on what should be our grocery store but Rockville has no income from that space, we have no grocery and we have no retail anchor to help the other establishments in the Town Square.  A common practice to discourage a tenant from not opening on time  is to have a “dark space clause” whereby a premium is charged if they are not open within the agreed upon time frame   Is there one now and if so, who’s benefiting?  I will also push for a better mix of retail and restaurants to ensure that they compliment and provid needed supplies for Rockville citizens.  It’s not too late for this partnership – Federal Realty is Rockville based and we should take advantage of that.  We need to sit down with them and get that grocery open now!

Virginia Onley:

Yes, but under a more watchful eye to ensure that more businesses to attract families are included in the plan