Howard County’s plans for a long-overdue new Central Branch library on Downtown Columbia’s lakefront are finally back off the shelf.
County Executive Calvin Ball on Thursday announced he has submitted legislation to purchase land from The Howard Research and Development Corporation (HRD), an affiliate of Howard Hughes Communities, for the new Central Branch of the Howard County Library System (HCLS). A budget amendment would allow the county to use previously allocated state funding for the new library’s design.
“Today Columbia stands out as one of America’s greatest success stories,” Ball said. “Downtown Columbia continues to grow as a vibrant and inclusive community that reflects Jim Rouse’s original vision of a ‘garden for growing people.’ Together, we are taking bold steps to make that vision a reality by ensuring that every child has access to a world-class education, every resident has the opportunity to thrive, and every neighbor can find a place to call home.”
He also announced a land swap that would advance plans for both the Central Branch and more affordable housing. The county would acquire a parcel at the Columbia Lakefront for the new library, while HRD would give a parcel in the Merriweather District on which the Howard County Housing Commission (HCHC) could build affordable housing.
Last year there was concern that this outcome, the original plan, might not be reached. Ball had floated the idea of a more modest, affordable alternative for the new Central Branch location, confirming that the lakefront was not the only choice. There was disagreement among councilmembers about the original Lakefront Library construction’s $144 million price tag, and competing survey results brought questions about where affordable housing fit into the budget.
What would change under the updated plan is land ownership and the process for choosing a design firm. The Lakefront Library plans unveiled in 2023 were designed by world-renowned Heatherwick Studio. Those plans also had HRD (a Howard Hughes affiliate) overseeing construction of the new Central Branch at the $144 million cost.
Ball’s proposed legislation would make Howard County the owner of the land, and the county would manage and oversee the project. This would include “a competitive bidding process to select design and construction firms to deliver the Central Library project.” The county would also pursue a less costly parking solution than the 2023 Heatherwick plans included, something that drove the original cost up significantly.
“Howard County will manage this project and conduct a competitive bidding and procurement process for design and construction,” a spokesperson for Ball told Baltimore Fishbowl. “The new Central Library is intended to have a visionary and architecturally significant design consistent with the concept design presented in 2023. A project cost and budget will be proposed for approval by the Howard County Council in the FY27 Capital Budget. The County intends to revisit all prior cost estimates as part of its planning efforts since the proposed design of the library has been modified and costs have increased due to inflation.”
Affordable housing is mandated by the Downtown Columbia Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreement (DRRA), passed by the County Council in 2016. The plan envisions 900 affordable housing units built in Downtown Columbia over a 30-year period through collaboration between HRD, the County, HCHC, and Columbia Downtown Housing Corporation (CDHC).
HRD has already put more than $8.5 million towards affordable housing plans, supported the development of sites like the Artist Flats (currently under construction), and collaborated with stakeholders throughout the county. They also pay for annual Community Enhancements, Programs, and Public Amenities (CEPPA) fees, along with other fees.
“The inclusion of 900 affordable homes in the Columbia Downtown Housing Plan was a major step forward for the redevelopment of Columbia and the people of Howard County,” said Jaqueline West-Spencer, chair of HCHC board. “The creation of a Lakefront Library, which allows the Merriweather site to be fully dedicated to much-needed mixed-income housing, represents another significant milestone. The Housing Commission deeply appreciates the County Executive’s vision in advancing both projects together.”
So far, 71 affordable housing units have been delivered in Downtown Columbia, and 87 more are under construction at the Artist Flats. Once complete, that will amount to approximately 18 percent of the DRRA requirement.
The HCHC must develop five Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) sites to build 417 affordable housing units. Not including senior housing, these buildings must be mixed-income, with no more than half of the units in each building being affordable. The five sites and expected units and locations are listed below:
- Performing Arts Center/Artist Flats: Under construction as part of the new Performing Arts Center on the site of Toby’s Dinner Theater. Artist Flats will be 174 total housing units, of which 87 will be affordable.
- Merriweather Site (C-1 Parcel): Originally meant for a joint affordable housing and library project, now exclusively for mixed-income housing. More than 120 housing units, of which 50 percent will be affordable.
- Existing Central Branch Site: Once the new Central Branch is completed, the existing branch will be demolished and used for mixed-income housing under DRRA. HCHC estimates approximately 200 mixed-income housing units, 50 percent of which will be affordable.
- Banneker Fire Station Site: Under the DRRA, this site would be redeveloped as a joint Fire Station and affordable housing project. It is intended to have up to 100 affordable housing units for seniors.
- Future Downtown Transit Center Site: The DRRA calls for HRD to provide a transit center site as part of the redevelopment plan. A site for this has been tentatively identified in the Symphony Overlook Neighborhood and can accommodate approximately 100 mixed-income housing units, 50 percent of which would be affordable.
“These five developments will be affordable and safe homes for hundreds of Howard County residents,” said Peter Engel, executive director of the Housing Commission. “The new homes will provide families and seniors with the ability to take advantage of all that the County has to offer, near to the many job opportunities that are vital for the local economy.”
Ball pledged to continue partnering with HCHC, CDHC, and HRD to make sure that 900 units of affordable housing will come to be, as called for in the DRRA.
Planning for a new Central Branch of the Howard County Library System (HCLS) has been in the works for nearly 20 years. Elected officials, library officials, community members, and planners have all envisioned the new branch as an “Experience Library” – an interactive learning space, an intellectual community center, a combination of visual exhibitions and interesting architecture along with the typical library services.
Multiple surveys have been distributed and filled out, listening sessions attended, and the results over the years prioritize enabling the HCLS to not only maintain its services, but expand its offerings to meet current and future needs related to education, business, culture, and the arts.
“We are thrilled that the County intends to pursue the purchase of the land for the Lakefront Branch allowing this long-awaited project to move forward,” said Tonya Aikens, president and CEO of Howard County Library System. “This new library branch will embody our mission as the community’s place to learn, grow, and connect, and we look forward to the educational opportunities this new building will provide for people of all ages.”
A 2024 Howard County survey of around 1,500 people found that nearly 70 percent visited an HCLS branch weekly or monthly. Nearly 75 percent use the library primarily to borrow books, more than 90 percent cite checking out books and materials as the most important library service, and they felt the most important interior space for the new Central Branch would be a children’s reading and activity area.
“By committing to a new Central Branch at the Columbia lakefront, we are fulfilling Jim Rouse’s original vision for a vibrant library in Columbia,” said Christiana Rigby, Howard County Councilmember. “This project renews Columbia’s legacy as a place where innovation and inclusion go hand in hand, while advancing long-awaited plans for new affordable housing in the Merriweather District.”
“With new progress on affordable housing and a much-needed Central Branch at the Columbia Lakefront, we are building a Downtown that embodies innovation, connection, and opportunity for all,” Ball said.
Just more taxpayer money spent foolishly. Every survey, poll, etc. I see says Columbia is already a great place to live, work, raise families, etc., so i see no reason to “redevelop” Columbia at such a ridiculous cost. And 900 ‘affordable housing units’?? That’s just nuts. Why say ‘affordable’ when what you really mean is POOR. Along with attracting POOR people, you’ll also attract CRIME. Just say it plainly! There’s massive amounts of research to show the link between poor people and crime. So this is just inviting more crime into our midst. Stop spending taxpayer money and fix what ACTUALLY needs fixing, not this pie-in-the-sky, artsy-fartsy fantasy of never-ending taxpayer dollars.