Burtonsville Commercial Revitalization Program

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

The Burtonsville Commercial Property Revitalization Program, established in March 2010, is a public-private partnership with local property owners to encourage investment in upgrading outdated and dilapidated commercial facades and retail center signage. Designed to leverage over $1 million in Montgomery County funding with an equal or greater amount from the owner, the program encouraged improvements that otherwise may not have been financially feasible. Local residents expressed concern that the Burtonsville commercial core area suffered from neglect, with new investment impeded by road realignment plans and new larger-scale retail centers. Strong community participation through multiple meetings focused on creating a ‘village center’ atmosphere, with a shorter term goal of revitalizing the commercial core. The Department of Housing and Community Affairs established a façade easement purchase program to encourage physical improvements to existing structures and signage, including parking lot illumination. On the north side of MD Route 198, DHCA has worked with six of ten street front properties to produce four complete façade renovations, with two more in process. Three new code-compliant retail center signs have been installed, with two more underway. Twenty-two businesses have benefited, and the program has become a model for addressing similar older commercial strips around the County.