New Rockville Town Center

I spent an afternoon walking the newly redone Rockville Town Center this past week. I have to say that it is pretty nice. I am not sure if I like it when they build new buildings to look like old buildings. (Funny thing is, that 30 years ago they went through Rockville like a bunch of Huns and tore down all the old buildings. My how things change.) Now faux old buildings are trendy and they have done that in Rockville, and while pleasing to the eye, it just feels a little cheesy to me. Just my opinion. The stores are OK as well as the places to dine. Biggest problem to me is they once again have filled the place up with franchise eateries. This is starting to bug me as any redeveloped town center seems to have the same trendy places serving up the same bland high fat crap. There is a Lebanese Taverna, but that family owned chain is starting to get a little predictable and bland. Food is good there (LT) as always but the place does not have the charm of their downtown location.

Best thing is that instead of putting yet another bloated and overpriced Borders in the town center, the planners wisely choose to build a magnificent new library right on the town square. It is a two level library and one of the nicest I have seen. Just stunning really. This should be the blueprint for all high density areas.

Now for my major bitch. I like what they have done for downtown Silver Spring but it is obvious that Rockville got a heck of a lot more than SS ever did or will. We got a few blocks of renovation in the big Silver while the county obviously threw scads of money at Rockville. Looks like we are the red headed stepchild again. I know we are supposed to get a new library in SS but whenever the East County is considered the money seems to trickle down to us in smaller bits. I wonder if our new libary will match the quality of the Rockville one. Was all this because Rockville has its own city government or do the people who make the money decisions in our county just favor the west side of the county. I have got my opinion. You will have to decide for yourselves.