CHEVY CHASE, Md., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- More than a year before breaking
ground on Twinbrook Commons, a proposed mixed-use transit oriented development
surrounding the Twinbrook Metrorail station in Rockville, MD, the development
team has earned a prestigious Charter Award from the Congress for the New
Urbanism (CNU).
The CNU is a "nonprofit organization aimed at stopping sprawl and re-
establishing compact, walkable and environmentally sustainable neighborhoods,
cities, and towns," and removing "barriers to building places that create
lasting value and treasured community assets."
The award recognizes the development team's success in the goal of
embracing new urbanist principles by creating a place that enables residents
to get out of their car and travel by foot, bicycle, or public transportation;
"Twinbrook Commons embodies a remarkable number of new urbanist principles at
all scales," states the CNU's Charter Award.
According to the Congress for the New Urbanism, "Under this fine plan, a
parcel of land that functioned primarily as a turnstile [commuter parking]
will become a destination." The architects, Torti Gallas and Associates,
noted that "Not only will one be able to walk to and from the transit station;
one will actually want to make the trip."
In 2000, the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission led a
discussion between Montgomery County Council & Government, area Residents,
local businesses owners, planners, architects, and others to create a plan for
the Future of the Twinbrook Neighborhood. The result is The Twinbrook
Charrette & Concept Plan. The goal of the plan was to create an alternative
to sprawl by encouraging mixed-use development, and to create an alternative
to the car by fostering transit use. The Charrette provided the outline for
the Twinbrook Commons design.
In accordance with the principles of the Twinbrook Charrette, the
Twinbrook Commons master plan fully integrates the proposed mixed-use
development into the surrounding retail corridor, office/service district, and
adjacent residential neighborhoods, serving to unify the entire area with a
distinctive identity and sense of place. Buildings with the highest density -
- eight to 14 stories -- will be located closest to the Metro station,
gradually transitioning to the lowest density buildings at the edges of the
site.
Twinbrook Commons is planned for a variety of building uses including
commercial office, street-level retail, and residential. Housing options will
range from affordable to upscale and will include high-rise and low-rise
apartments, walk-ups, courtyard housing, and lofts. Public spaces will
include a village green adjoining the Metro station and feature lush
landscaping, seating, fountains, and a music pavilion. The master plan also
includes enhanced pedestrian access, new bus bays and taxi stands, and
improvements to the Metro station facade.
Innovative design and mixed-use neighborhoods did not occur by chance.
"We have worked hard to ensure that the concerns of the community were
addressed and incorporated into a master plan that embraces the goals and
principles of smart growth and transit oriented development. Our objective
for Twinbrook Commons is to create a vibrant live-work-play environment that
becomes a focal point for the surrounding area, a gateway to Rockville, and an
asset to the current and future residents of the Twinbrook Community," said
Rod Lawrence, Principal of The JBG Companies.
Environmental improvements will also be a part of Twinbrook Commons and
will include green roofs wherever possible that serve as a filter for storm
water and reduce the "heat island" affect by absorbing rather than reflecting
sunlight. Additionally, the project's focus on alternative forms of
transportation will reduce automobile dependence and related pollutants.
Twinbrook Commons is an example of JBG's commitment to smart growth,
sustainable building, and transit oriented development. JBG is currently
planning and building several other mixed-use transit oriented developments in
Maryland and Virginia, and has completed a number of "green" buildings.
Headquartered in Chevy Chase, MD, The JBG Companies is an active
developer, owner and operator of office, residential, hotel and retail
properties. Founded in 1962, JBG has established a reputation as one of the
leading development companies in the Washington Metropolitan area.
More information on The JBG Companies can be found by visiting the
company's website: http://www.jbg.com or by calling (240) 333-3600.
Information on Twinbrook Commons is available at
http://www.twinbrookcommons.com
SOURCE The JBG Companies
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Related links:
http://www.jbg.com
http://www.twinbrookcommons.com
CONTACT:
Jeffrey L. Tanck of The JBG Companies,
+1-240-333-3729
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