Zoning changes spearheaded by Councilmember Navarro
helped enable revitalization of Plaza del Mercado
and attract international grocery chain
ROCKVILLE, Md., Dec. 1, 2016—Montgomery County Councilmember Nancy Navarro was a special guest at today’s grand opening of a new ALDI Supermarket located in the Plaza del Mercado at 2223 Bel Pre Rd. in Silver Spring. Councilmember Navarro collaborated with area residents and Federal Realty to determine what would be needed to revitalize Plaza del Mercado, which is a hub for community shopping in the area. This collaboration led to Councilmember Navarro spearheading the zoning changes needed to help attract ALDI to the area.
When Giant Food closed its Bel Pre Road location, residents from Aspen Hill and Silver Spring lacked convenient and affordable grocery options. Federal Realty, which owns Plaza del Mercado, went to work to secure key anchor tenants for the shopping center, but its options were limited by the County’s existing zoning laws.
Councilmember Navarro took action by introducing a Zoning Text Amendment, which was enacted by the Council in 2014, that helped clear the way for Plaza del Mercado, and other similarly situated shopping centers in convenience commercial (C-1) zones, to redevelop. These zoning changes enabled Federal Realty to attract a wider pool of retail tenants and helped secure ALDI and LA Fitness as two essential anchors for the shopping center.
In addition to the new grocery store and fitness center, Federal Realty is making investments at Plaza del Mercado that will create a town square, outdoor seating and green space that will help revitalize the area.
“I have spoken out consistently about possible ‘retail redlining’, where retailers choose not to enter certain neighborhoods even when the economic demographics of the area could easily support quality retail,” said Councilmember Navarro, who chairs the Council’s Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee. “For too long, many neighborhoods in District 4 have lacked the amenities they deserve. Federal Realty should be commended for not giving up and successfully finding a grocery store to locate at Plaza del Mercado. All neighborhoods throughout Montgomery County should have quality, affordable and convenient amenities to serve the needs of our residents.”
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