IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                    CONTACT:  Fronda Cohen

               Office:  410-887-2470

               Cell:      410-967-6970

fcohen@baltimorecountymd.gov

Kamenetz Says New Wegmans Planned by Greenberg Gibbons

Will Be Centerpiece of Redevelopment at Solo Cup Site in Owings Mills

Towson, MD (November 14, 2011) - Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz was informed today that Wegmans Food Markets will open its second County location in Owings Mills.  Kamenetz, who has been meeting regularly with the new owners of the shuttered Solo Cup site, believes that a new shopping venue with Wegmans as a centerpiece will provide the right mix of employment and upscale shopping opportunities for the area.  This announcement continues the momentum in Owings Mills, building upon last week's announcement regarding the redevelopment of Owings Mills Mall.

Owings Mills based Greenberg Gibbons Commercial, a partner in the site, is owner of several area malls, including Hunt Valley Town Centre, which features the area's first Maryland Wegmans location.  According to Kamenetz, the developer has signed a lease with Wegmans for a second Baltimore County location as an anchor to its proposed new development, Foundry Row in Owings Mills. 

"Attracting this premier chain is part of our larger strategy to redevelop not only the Solo site, but the Owings Mills Mall and the Metro Centre project as well," said Baltimore County Executive Kamenetz.  "I am working hard to jump start momentum in the Owings Mills corridor. A Wegmans based retail center will energize community activity throughout the Owings Mills Town Center. 

Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is headquartered in Rochester, New York, and is largely credited as being the catalyst for the revitalization of the Hunt Valley Towne Centre.  It is ranked #3 on Fortune Magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For."

"I am very excited about Wegmans lease of the Solo Cup site and what it says about Owings Mills," said Councilwoman Vicki Almond.  "I know that the firm of Greenberg Gibbons intends a comprehensive community outreach, and I look forward to working with everyone through the Comprehensive Zoning Map Process."

"The prospect of Wegmans in Owings Mills provides a great opportunity to move important projects forward," said Councilman Ken Oliver.  "Owings Mills has wonderful potential, and Wegmans can lead the way."

This past July, Kamenetz broke ground on a long-awaited project at the Owings Mills Metro Centre, a transit oriented development. The County's six-story building will house the largest public library branch in Baltimore County and the Owings Mills campus of the Community College of Baltimore County, Maryland's largest community college. The 120,000 square foot building will cost $30 million and is scheduled to open in 2013.

County Executive Kamenetz also announced last week that General Growth and Properties and Kimco Realty were forming a joint venture and investing $65 million to redevelop Owings Mills Mall.  Baltimore County, General Growth, and Kimco signed a memorandum of understanding to expedite the mall project.  "If you are going to make a difference in Owings Mills, you can't think of these projects in isolation," said Kamenetz.  "Each of them is very exciting, and each becomes stronger because of the other. Owings Mills:  It's happening!"

###