Konterra - News, Updates, Questions and Developments Etc. (Columbia, Laurel: townhouses, to buy)

[SpikeMilligan's Alter Ego]

Originally Posted by IVmyman

Well, why do you think Konterra has stalled? And why do you think Amazon had something to do with killing it?

A lot more than the two simple options previously offered.

First, the land owner, Gould, has failed to find another developer to replace Forest City who pulled out in 2013.

The project as currently iterated is too big, for the surrounding communities. Currently, eastern MoCo, and western PG have neither the population density, or demographics to support, something of that size, plus neither is growing rapidly. Ultimately, I suspect it will be broken up into smaller parcels.

Look to the closest shopping centers. Laurel Town Center has never fully leased up. In Burtonsville the old center remains empty, a sign of lack of demand.

The state has fulfilled its road construction commitments, so no hold up there.

I used Amazon as shorthand for online shopping generally. Malls are struggling. Anchors are retrenching in an attempt to survive. Macy's, Sears, Lord & Taylor are all in danger. There are few retail bright spots.
That makes financing more difficult.

Konterra would stand a much better chance if it were in Loudon.
Konterra.com, has had the same message coming soon message for at least 5 years.

[IVmyman]

Originally Posted by SpikeMilligan's Alter Ego

A lot more than the two simple options previously offered.

First, the land owner, Gould, has failed to find another developer to replace Forest City who pulled out in 2013.

The project as currently iterated is too big, for the surrounding communities. Currently, eastern MoCo, and western PG have neither the population density, or demographics to support, something of that size, plus neither is growing rapidly. Ultimately, I suspect it will be broken up into smaller parcels.

Look to the closest shopping centers. Laurel Town Center has never fully leased up. In Burtonsville the old center remains empty, a sign of lack of demand.

The state has fulfilled its road construction commitments, so no hold up there.

I used Amazon as shorthand for online shopping generally. Malls are struggling. Anchors are retrenching in an attempt to survive. Macy's, Sears, Lord & Taylor are all in danger. There are few retail bright spots.
That makes financing more difficult.

Konterra would stand a much better chance if it were in Loudon.
Konterra.com, has had the same message coming soon message for at least 5 years.

Ok. All good points. Thanks for sharing your reasons with us.

[adelphi_sky]

Originally Posted by SpikeMilligan's Alter Ego

A lot more than the two simple options previously offered.

First, the land owner, Gould, has failed to find another developer to replace Forest City who pulled out in 2013.

The project as currently iterated is too big, for the surrounding communities. Currently, eastern MoCo, and western PG have neither the population density, or demographics to support, something of that size, plus neither is growing rapidly. Ultimately, I suspect it will be broken up into smaller parcels.

Look to the closest shopping centers. Laurel Town Center has never fully leased up. In Burtonsville the old center remains empty, a sign of lack of demand.

The state has fulfilled its road construction commitments, so no hold up there.

I used Amazon as shorthand for online shopping generally. Malls are struggling. Anchors are retrenching in an attempt to survive. Macy's, Sears, Lord & Taylor are all in danger. There are few retail bright spots.
That makes financing more difficult.

Konterra would stand a much better chance if it were in Loudon.
Konterra.com, has had the same message coming soon message for at least 5 years.

Sometimes the answer is simple. Are you saying that if there was a Metro/BRT stop in the center of Konterra that it would still be filled with dirt? Or if there were two or three office buildings, there would be nothing else?

Viva White Oak has the same vision. But they have a hospital and the FDA, i.e. offices. Is their vision dead in the water too based on your comments about East MoCo?

http://vivawhiteoak.com/

[Turnerbro]

Originally Posted by SpikeMilligan's Alter Ego

You're confusing ignorant with rude.
Some may consider my comment rude, but "ignorant" it definitely was not.

I could offer you my opinion on why you are confusing, but I'll spare you.
Instead, I'll offer you this:
Sometimes it's better to stay quiet, and be thought a fool than open your mouth, and remove all doubt.

Oh boy. Welp I'll just be the bigger man and leave this.

[SpikeMilligan's Alter Ego]

Originally Posted by adelphi_sky

Sometimes the answer is simple. Are you saying that if there was a Metro/BRT stop in the center of Konterra that it would still be filled with dirt? Or if there were two or three office buildings, there would be nothing else?

Viva White Oak has the same vision. But they have a hospital and the FDA, i.e. offices. Is their vision dead in the water too based on your comments about East MoCo?

Viva White Oak - Viva White Oak

I notice you're a free spender of other people's money.
Every complex problem often has a simple answer, that is also usually the wrong answer.

First I didn't say that Konterra's vision is dead in the water, nor do I say that about Viva. Please don't try to put words in my mouth.
I said the current iteration of Konterra is too big, and it will likely get broken up into piecemeal projects.

Your Metro question is a ridiculous hypothetical. It depends on the taxpayers of DC and Va, contributing funding for a project to the middle of an empty field in Md. Why would they do that? Would you fund a project to an empty field in Va?

Further, Greenbelt ranks only 43rd in terms of Metro traffic, and with the exception of Largo has the lowest numbers of any terminus. Coincidentally, Greenbelt & Largo are the only termini with two lines, which should mean higher traffic. Doesn't say much for expansion prospects.

Viva is not a valid comparison either. That's a public private partnership. MoCo taxpayers are on the hook for some of the cost. Viva is a specialised life sciences focused development building on existing federal investment in the FDA. Konterra is non-specialised mixed use, with no similar federal anchor. PG/State is not contributing to Konterra, beyond road infrastructure.

[SpikeMilligan's Alter Ego]

Originally Posted by Turnerbro

Oh boy. Welp I'll just be the bigger man and leave this.

Given the lack of depth, breadth, and substance to your other contributions, a surprisingly wise decision, but be wary of believing your own propaganda.

[SpikeMilligan's Alter Ego]

On the four times this past two*weeks that I've driven on Konterra Drive, there have been about six trucks hauling dirt. Small on such a big site, but I notice that the website has also just gone blank with a new coming soon message up.
Mall, or Amazon, or Casino, or Sports Stadium?
At this stage I think we need something more "creative" How about America's largest pot & massage parlor/ho-house? That would gin up some interest.....

[Turnerbro]

Originally Posted by SpikeMilligan's Alter Ego

On the four times this past two*weeks that I've driven on Konterra Drive, there have been about six trucks hauling dirt. Small on such a big site, but I notice that the website has also just gone blank with a new coming soon message up.
Mall, or Amazon, or Casino, or Sports Stadium?
At this stage I think we need something more "creative" How about America's largest pot & massage parlor/ho-house? That would gin up some interest.....

I'd say going for something like what Columbia town center is doing is the best option. Also bring the Green line out.

[SpikeMilligan's Alter Ego]

Originally Posted by Turnerbro

I'd say going for something like what Columbia town center is doing is the best option. Also bring the Green line out.

I noted previously that there is unlikely to be an extension of either line from Greenbelt, because of low ridership at Greenbelt, relative to other terminus stations, particularly those with just one line, that have more traffic.

With retail*on the rocks, mall/town center investors are thin on the ground these days.

[MDave52]

Passed by the site today and noticed some activity. There was a helicopter, along with at least a dozen hard hat workers by the entrance off VanDusen & Konterra Dr. With the current pandemic and impending aftermath, I wonder what the plan is now for this?