July 28, 2011 - Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz today announced the start of construction for the centerpiece building at Owings Mills Metro Centre, a transit oriented town center. The six-story building will house the largest public library branch in Baltimore County and a center for the Community College of Baltimore County, Maryland's largest community college.
The 120,000 square foot building is estimated to cost $30 million including building construction, furnishings, and opening day book collection for the library. Construction is scheduled to be complete in winter 2013.

"With construction at the Metro Centre underway, the Owings Mills economic engine is about to launch into high speed," said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.

"This is a major milestone in moving the Metro Centre project forward," said Howard Brown, on behalf of the Managing Members of Owings Mills Transit, LLC.  "Once the infrastructure for the library and college building has been completed, we will turn our attention to the next phase of development, the Town Center, with a lively mix of shops, offices, a hotel and apartments."   

"As one of the State's first transit-oriented development projects, Owings Mills Metro Centre reflects Governor Martin O'Malley's Smart, Green and Growing initiative," said Maryland Transportation Secretary Beverley K. Swaim-Staley.  "We are transforming acres of surface parking adjacent to a transit station into a productive, vibrant and walkable mixed-use community.  As a result, we will reduce sprawl, increase transit ridership and improve the environment by getting more cars off the road.  This kind of development is key to Maryland's future."

The building is designed to meet LEED Silver standards for commercial construction set by U.S. Green Building Council. Green features include bicycle storage and changing rooms, a green roof, high efficiency heating and air conditioning systems, and water saving features such as low-flow lavatories.  

"Today marks a long-awaited new chapter in creating a vibrant new downtown for Owings Mills," said Baltimore County Councilman Ken Oliver.