Local Officials Ring in New Library

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said he remembers the idea of a transit-oriented development popping up when he was a councilman – in 1998.

Needless to say, he was glowing with excitement at a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday for the new Owings Mills branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, the anchor of transit-oriented development at the Metro Centre at Owings Mills.

“This is really just the beginning,” Kamenetz said.

The library, which , is Baltimore County’s 19th and largest library branch, boasting a collection of more than 142,000 items. The LEED Silver certified library is housed in the County Campus building, which will be home to a new Community College of Baltimore County Extension Center this summer.

“The synergy goes on and on,” said Mike Carey, dean of continuing education and economic development at CCBC. “I’ve been in the business for almost 45 years and this is the most exciting thing I’ve seen.”

They were joined by library system director Jim Fish, County Council members Ken Oliver, Todd Huff and Vicki Almond, as well as various other county and state officials. Local business and civic leaders also attended, including Reisterstown-Owings Mills-Glyndon Chamber of Commerce President Colleen Brady, Reisterstown-Owings Mills-Glyndon Coordinating Council President George Harman and Reisterstown Improvement Association President Glenn Barnes.

When fully developed, The Metro Centre at Owings Mills will boast 1.2 million square feet of office space, 300,000 square feet of retail space, 1,700 apartments, and hotels with up to 250 rooms upon its completion.

Howard Brown, chairman of Metro Centre developer David S. Brown Enterprises, said the project is the heart of Owings Mills.

“Owings Mills has arrived,” Brown said.