Takoma Park Recreation Center Development Project

The redevelopment of the Takoma Park Recreation Center, located at 7315 New Hampshire Avenue, is sited within the study area of the Takoma Langley Crossroads Sector Plan. The Sector Plan, endorsed by the City Council in 2011, recommends the replacement of the Recreation Center due to its age, poor condition, inefficient layout and limited capacity. The facility, managed and programmed by the City of Takoma Park’s Recreation Department, is owned by the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

Current Project Status

May 2021

The City completed Community Engagement for the Takoma Park Recreation Center. The final report is available here: https://documents.takomaparkmd.gov/government/housing-and-community-development/TakomaParkFinalReport_NARRATIVE.pdf

July 1, 2019

Takoma Park, in collaboration with Montgomery County Parks Department, finalized the transfer of ownership of the property to the City of Takoma Park, in exchange for the vacant, City-owned parcel at 922 Jackson Avenue, part of the Long Branch Stream Valley park. The Letter of Intent, signed by City Manager Suzanne Ludlow and Montgomery County Department of Parks Director, Michael Riley, was completed May 15, 2019.

2017 – Background and Project History

A solicitation for Letters of Interest for a partner for the redevelopment of the Takoma Park Recreation Center site was issued by the City in March 2017. The focus of this initial effort was to explore options for the redevelopment of the site in partnership with the selected development team and to develop a project which, would expand the recreational opportunities currently available to community residents while advancing the City Council’s housing and economic development goals.

Five development teams expressed interest in working with the City on this project:  Brandstetter Carroll, Inc., Coalition Homes and The Orlo Fund, Community Preservation Development Corporation (CPDC), Mission First Housing Development Corporation, and Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP). An initial review of the qualifications of the five respondents was conducted by staff and their preliminary recommendations were presented to the City Council on June 21, 2017.

The City Council met with four of the development teams on July 12, 2017 to learn more about their qualifications and interest in partnering with the City on the project. The Council discussed the proposed project on July 26 and again on September 13, 2017, deferring further action on the project.

Project Lead & Contact Info

 Housing and Community Development Department
Phone: 301-891-7119
Email: planning@takomaparkmd.gov

Project Info & Timeline

• Current target completion date: To be determined
  • Project initiation date: 2017
• Takoma Park’s Role in Project: Lead
• Departments involved: Housing & Community Development, Recreation

Budget & Funding Source

Project Budget:

• $50,000 to Brick and Story to lead community engagement process in FY 21.

Notes & Links

Letter of Intent, Takoma-Langley Recreation Center Land Exchange, May 15, 2019

City Council Voting Session – May 1, 2019
Ordinance 2019-06, Approving the Land Exchange for the Takoma Park Recreation Center

City Council Voting Session – November 28, 2018 (video)
Resolution 2018-59:  Resolution of Intent to Proceed with the Takoma Park Recreation Center Land Exchange
Council materials:
Resolution of Intent to Proceed with the Takoma Park Recreation Center Land Exchange

City County Discussion – September 12, 2018 (video)
Agenda Materials – September 12, 2018  Work Session

City County Discussion – September 13, 2017 (video)
Agenda Materials – September 13, 2017 Work Session

City Council Discussion – July 26, 2017 (Discussion @ 02:03)
Agenda Materials – July 26, 2017 Work Session

City Council Discussion – July 12, 2017 (Discussion @ 1:16)
Agenda Materials – July 12, 2017 Work Session
Presentation Slides

• Coalition Homes / The Orlo Fund
• Community Preservation Development Corporation 
• Mission First Housing Corporation
• Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP)

City Council Discussion – June 21, 2017 (Discussion @ 2:08)
Agenda Materials – June 21, 2017 Work Session

Letter of Interest Submissions

• Brandstetter Carroll, Inc.
• Coalition Homes and The Orlo Fund
• Community Preservation Development Corporation (CPDC)
• Mission First Housing Development Corporation
• Montgomery Housing Partnership (MHP)

Solicitation for Letters of Interest HCD #2017-03-21