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Washington Outer Beltway

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The Washington Outer Beltway was a proposed freeway that would have extended further out than the Capital Beltway and encircled Washington, D.C. through the states of Maryland and Virginia . Most of the route was canceled in the 1980s. Parts of it have been built as the Fairfax County Parkway in Virginia, as well as Interstate 370 and the Intercounty Connector in Maryland.

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55-505: Initial plans were developed in the 1950s for the proposed 122-mile (196 km) Washington Outer Beltway. The National Capital Park and Planning Commission issued a Comprehensive Plan for the Nation's Capital and Its Environs in 1950. The comprehensive plan included three different circular roads in and around the District of Columbia . The original Outer Beltway had been planned to pass south of

110-466: A bus rapid transit line, Corridor Cities Transitway or "CCT", planned for the western portion of the city starting at Shady Grove Metro Station and connecting all the high-density western Gaithersburg neighborhoods with a total of eight stops planned in the city. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is headquartered in Gaithersburg directly west of I-270. Other major employers in

165-576: A city in 1968. Gaithersburg is located east and west of Interstate 270 . The eastern section includes the historic area of the town. Landmarks and buildings from that time can still be seen in many places but especially in the historic central business district of Gaithersburg called "Olde Towne". The east side also includes City Hall, the Montgomery County Fairgrounds, and Bohrer Park (a well-known joint community recreation center and outdoor water park for kids and families). The west side of

220-597: A project to measure the Earth's wobble on its polar axis. The Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory is (as of 2007) the only National Historic Landmark in the City of Gaithersburg. The observatory and five others in Japan , Italy , Russia , and the United States gathered information that is still used by scientists today, along with information from satellites , to determine polar motion ;

275-638: A request from the State Highway Administration "for federal support of a $ 1.1 million planning and engineering study of the first 8-mile [13 km] segment of the road" (then called the Outer Beltway), which was to "run from the Baltimore-Washington Parkway near Beltsville westward to a point near Interstate Rte 70S at Gaithersburg ." By 1976, Maryland's Secretary of Transportation no longer supported state financial support of

330-531: A visionary blueprint for the nation's capital. The 1997 plan Extending the Legacy: Planning America's Capital for the 21st century redefines Washington's monumental core and encourages the location of new museums , memorials , and federal office buildings in all quadrants of the city. The Memorials and Museums Master Plan advances the vision for Washington's monumental core expressed in NCPC's Extending

385-485: Is a U.S. government executive branch agency that provides planning guidance for Washington, D.C. , and the surrounding National Capital Region. Through its planning policies and review of development proposals, the Commission seeks to protect and enhance the resources of the U.S. national capital. The 12-member commission includes three presidential appointees, of which one must be from Virginia and one from Maryland,

440-511: Is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland , United States. At the time of the 2020 census , Gaithersburg had a population of 69,657, making it the ninth-most populous community in the state. Gaithersburg is located to the northwest of Washington, D.C. , and is considered a suburb and a primary city within the Washington metropolitan area . Gaithersburg was incorporated as a town in 1878 and as

495-655: Is a long range, comprehensive approach to transform a 110-acre, predominantly federal precinct into a well-connected, sustainable, mixed-use neighborhood, workplace, and cultural destination that links the National Mall and the Southwest Waterfront. The Pennsylvania Avenue Initiative is a multi-agency effort led by NCPC, the General Services Administration , the National Park Service , and

550-496: Is located just outside the city limits and is the north-western terminus of the Red Line . The Corridor Cities Transitway is a proposed bus rapid transit line that would have 8 stops in Gaithersburg, generally in the western half of the city. Maryland's MARC system operates commuter rail services connecting Gaithersburg to Washington, D.C. , with two stations in the city, at Old Town Gaithersburg and Metropolitan Grove , and

605-480: Is supported by a professional staff of planners, architects, urban designers, historic preservation officers, among others. Congress established the "National Capital Park Commission" in 1924 to acquire parkland for the capital in order to preserve forests and natural scenery in and about Washington to prevent pollution of Rock Creek and the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, and to provide for the comprehensive development of

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660-525: Is the main highway leading northwest out of metropolitan Washington, D.C., beginning at Interstate 495 (the Capital Beltway) and proceeding northwestward to Interstate 70 in Frederick . I-370 is a short spur, starting just west of I-270 in Gaithersburg and heading east to its junction with Maryland Route 200 . Via MD 200, I-370 connects Gaithersburg with Interstate 95 near Laurel . Maryland Route 355

715-769: The District of Columbia Government focused on concepts to redevelop the Avenue between the White House and U.S. Capitol into an inclusive place for people to gather, celebrate, and reconnect. Beyond Granite , funded by a major grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in 2021, is a two-year collaborative effort between NCPC, the Trust for the National Mall, and the National Park Service. It will result in 8-10 different temporary commemorative works to help increase diversity and representation and expand who gets to tell their stories in

770-635: The census of 2010, there were 59,933 people, 22,000 households, and 14,548 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,875.8 inhabitants per square mile (2,268.7/km ). There were 23,337 housing units at an average density of 2,287.9 per square mile (883.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 31.9% non-Hispanic White , 16.3% African American , 0.5% Native American , 16.9% Asian (6.01 Chinese, 4.77% Indian, 2.03% Korean, 1.69% Filipino, 1.02% Vietnamese, 0.62% Burmese), 0.1% Pacific Islander , 10.7% from other races , and 4.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 24.2% of

825-673: The mayor of Washington, D.C. , the chair of the Council of the District of Columbia , two mayoral appointees, and the chair of the House and Senate committees with review authority over the District. Other commission members include the heads of the three major land holding agencies, which are the Department of Defense , the Department of the Interior , and the General Services Administration . The Commission

880-821: The 1970s, attention was focused on the Metrorail system, and environmental concerns temporarily pushed the Outer Beltway onto the back burner. In the 1980s and 1990s, when the plan was revived as the Western Transportation Corridor in Virginia, the route was shifted further west. In 1975, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments endorsed

935-575: The American Legion Bridge showed that a significant portion of bridge users traveled between points west of that bridge, reviving the Techway concept. In addition, the Techway project was also discussed in connection with Maryland Route 200 that will extend I-370 to the east to US 1. The combination of the Techway and this other extension would go a long way to form a Western Bypass of Washington, D.C. for north-south traffic on I-95. Also in 2004,

990-684: The Commission's General Plan in 1957, and the Commission's On Wedges and Corridors plan in 1964. In the 1960s, an "outer circumferential highway" was proposed between 5 and 10 miles (8.0 and 16.1 km) outside the Capital Beltway. In Virginia, by the time of a 1965 plan, it was to run through southern and western Fairfax County, crossing the Potomac River at Mason Neck and north of Great Falls , and passing generally west of State Route 123 (Ox Road) and east of SR 645 (Clifton Road, Stringfellow Road, and Lees Corner Road). The straight part of

1045-512: The Legacy . It identifies 100 potential sites for future museums and memorials and provides general guidelines, siting criteria, and implementation strategies. The Monumental Core Framework Plan: Connecting New Destinations with the National Mall received unanimous approval from the Commission during its April 2009 meeting. The plan, a joint product of NCPC and the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts , aims to create vibrant and accessible destinations in

1100-627: The Montgomery County Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing any bridge, citing concerns about destruction of existing neighborhoods, damage to parkland along the Potomac River, the need to protect the county's 90,000-acre (360 km) Agricultural Reserve , and its conflicting with the master plan for Potomac . As of 2011, the Techway project is not funded and not under active study. National Capital Planning Commission The National Capital Planning Commission ( NCPC )

1155-696: The National Capital Planning Act, Height of Buildings Act of 1910 , Commemorative Works Act, District of Columbia Zoning Act, Foreign Missions Act, International Centers Act, NEPA , Home Rule Act , and the Capper-Crampton Act. NCPC principal responsibilities include: NCPC often works in partnership with other federal and District agencies such as the National Park Service , U.S. Commission of Fine Arts , District Office of Planning, and District Department of Transportation . As part of its long-range planning responsibilities, NCPC produced

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1210-638: The Outer Beltway, although Montgomery County still supported it in concept. In 1980, the state of Maryland dropped the Washington Outer Beltway from its plans except for the Intercounty Connector . The Techway is a proposal for a limited-access highway across the Potomac River between Fairfax County, Virginia , and Montgomery County, Maryland . The project's name refers to connecting the high-tech firms in Herndon and Reston , Virginia, with

1265-484: The area. Gaithersburg is also the location of the United States Army Reserve Legal Command . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 10.34 square miles (26.78 km ), of which 10.20 square miles (26.42 km ) is land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km ) is water. As of the 2022 American Community Survey , there were 68,952 people and 24,523 households in

1320-416: The area. The Home Rule Act of 1973 gave some of the Commission's local planning authority to the District of Columbia government. The Commission remains the planning authority for federally-owned land and buildings in the region. In addition, NCPC plays an advisory role to the District in certain land use decisions. NCPC operates under many laws and authorities that guide the agency's work. These include

1375-408: The average family size was 3.14 the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 37.7% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males. According to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,

1430-474: The biotechnology companies in Gaithersburg and Rockville , Maryland. The Techway proposal would construct a limited-access highway and bridge linking Virginia State Route 28 north of Washington Dulles International Airport to the western terminus of I-370 in Gaithersburg, Maryland. To avoid criticism that such a project would encourage urban sprawl , the proponents advocated having very few interchanges on

1485-589: The city has many wealthier neighborhoods that were designed with smart growth techniques and embrace New Urbanism . These include the Kentlands community, the Lakelands community, and the Washingtonian Center (better known as Rio), a shopping/business district. Two New Urbanism communities are under construction, including Watkins Mill Town Center (Casey East and West), and the massive "Science City" . The state has

1540-536: The city include IBM , Lockheed Martin Information Systems and Global Services business area headquarters, AstraZeneca . Gaithersburg is also the location of the garrison of the United States Army Reserve Legal Command . Gaithersburg is noted for its ethnic and economic diversity; it was ranked second for ethnic diversity among the 501 largest U.S. cities, and first among smaller U.S. cities, by WalletHub in 2021. In 2023, Wallethub announced that Gaithersburg

1595-473: The city of Gaithersburg and their directors include: The following Montgomery County Public Schools are located in Gaithersburg: Gaithersburg is primarily served by the Washington, D.C. media market . Being a city, Gaithersburg also has its own police department, which was created in 1963. The most prominent highways serving Gaithersburg are Interstate 270 and Interstate 370 . I-270

1650-532: The city. When the railroad was built through town in 1873, the new station was called Gaithersburg, an officially recognized name for the community for the first time. Also in 1873 the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad constructed a station at Gaithersburg, designed by Ephraim Francis Baldwin as part of his well-known series of Victorian stations in Maryland. Rapid growth occurred shortly thereafter, and on April 5, 1878,

1705-488: The city. The population density was 5,216.2 inhabitants per square mile (2,014.0/km ). There were 20,674 housing units at an average density of 2,049.7 per square mile (791.4/km ). The racial makeup of the city is 34.7% White , 19.5% Black or African American , 0.2% Native American , 13.9% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander , 3.6% from other races , and 3.2% from two or more races. 24.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 34.3% of Gaithersburg's population

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1760-621: The corporate limits of the City of Rockville , as shown on a map published in The Washington Post in 1951 with the caption "Ring Road suggested by Bureau of Public Roads ". In 1953, the portion of the Outer Beltway between Montgomery County and Prince George's County was included in the Master Plan of Highways of the Maryland - National Capital Park and Planning Commission . It was later included in

1815-648: The council. The day-to-day administration of the city is overseen by a career city manager . The city's current mayor is Jud Ashman, who has held the office since 2014. On October 6, 2014, the Gaithersburg City Council selected city council member Jud Ashman to serve as mayor until the next City of Gaithersburg election in November 2015, replacing resigning mayor Sidney Katz . Ashman was re-elected in November 2015 and would be re-elected to full terms in 2017 and 2021. Previous mayors include: The departments of

1870-521: The current Fairfax County Parkway between south of Franklin Farm Road and north of Baron Cameron Avenue is built where the beltway would have been. By contrast, a 1964 plan proposed by a consultant for Prince William County showed a 162-mile (261 km) freeway passing by Quantico , Manassas , Leesburg , Poolesville , upper Montgomery County , Fort Meade , southeastern Prince George's County , and La Plata . The original proposed routing in Maryland

1925-769: The federal precincts surrounding the National Mall . It plans to reclaim Washington's waterfront, especially the Anacostia waterfront . CapitalSpace is the first comprehensive planning analysis of Washington's parks and open space in almost 40 years. The 2009 plan is a joint initiative of NCPC, the National Park Service and the District of Columbia. The six "big ideas" of the CapitalSpace plan includes linking Fort Circle Parks, improving playfields, enhancing center city parks, improving public schoolyards, enhancing natural areas and transforming small parks. The 2013 SW Ecodistrict Plan

1980-602: The film Body of Lies were filmed in the city, at a building on 100 Edison Park Drive. The film was released in 2008 and the building is now the Montgomery County Police Department 's headquarters. On July 16, 2010, Gaithersburg was part of the area where a 3.6 magnitude earthquake was felt, one of the strongest to occur in Maryland. After years of decline and loss of tenants, including three of its four anchor stores in 2019, Lakeforest Mall closed on March 31, 2023, with plans to demolish it and redevelop

2035-451: The landmark IBM Headquarters complex built on the then-new I-270 Interstate "Industrial", now "Technology", Corridor in the late 1960s to the 1970s. Benjamin Gaither married Henry's daughter Margaret, and Benjamin and Margaret inherited a portion of Henry's land prior to Henry's death in 1807. Gaither built his home on the land in 1802. By the 1850s the area had ceased to be called Log Town and

2090-464: The local schools, with Gaithersburg High School and Watkins Mill High School having two of the most diverse student bodies in the region. During a 1997 rainstorm, the 295-year-old forest oak tree that gave its name to the Forest Oak Post Office crashed down. The tree served as the inspiration for the city's logo, which is also featured prominently on the city's flag. In 2007, parts of

2145-506: The nation's capital. NCPC was a founding member of Capitals Alliance, an international forum of planners and designers in capital cities around the world. NCPC hosts international delegations of planners, academia, and visitors to discuss the agency's work. Commission meetings are open to the public. In addition, the public may comment on NCPC plans and activities. Gaithersburg, Maryland Gaithersburg ( / ˈ ɡ eɪ θ ər z b ɜːr ɡ / GAY -thərz-burg )

2200-512: The nation's park system. Two years later, Congress renamed the agency the "National Capital Park and Planning Commission" and gave it the additional responsibility of comprehensive planning for the Washington region. Among its early members was Clarence C. Zantzinger , a Philadelphia architect. The 1952 National Capital Planning Act gave the commission its current name and the responsibility for preservation of important natural and historic sites in

2255-450: The next year because homes in his Congressional district would have to be destroyed in order to build the Techway. U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta agreed to cancel the study, saying it would be a waste of money to continue studying a bridge that would never be built. Virginia Governor James S. Gilmore III asked Mineta to reconsider, but the study was cancelled. In 2004, a Virginia Department of Transportation traffic study of

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2310-462: The population (8.3% Salvadoran, 2% Honduran, 1.9% Mexican, 1.9% Peruvian, 1.7% Guatemalan). There were 22,000 households, of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.9% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who

2365-471: The population grew, with homes spreading throughout the area, Gaithersburg began taking on a suburban and semi-urban feel, leaving its farming roots behind. During the late 1990s and 2000s, it had become one of the most economically and ethnically diverse areas in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area as well as the State of Maryland , with people from all walks of life calling Gaithersburg home. This can be seen in

2420-617: The river in order to protect sugar maple trees, vegetation, and bald eagles. Because of these concerns, the Maryland State Roads Commission moved the proposed Outer Beltway to a route north of Rockville and eliminated a new bridge crossing the Potomac River. The Montgomery County Planning Board accepted the state's newly proposed route in 1970, but the Montgomery County Council rejected it, and Prince George's County and Virginia dropped it from their plans. During

2475-490: The route and emphasizing its use in making Dulles Airport and the associated office buildings in its vicinity more convenient to residents of northern Montgomery County that currently use the American Legion Memorial Bridge . In 2000, Congress authorized $ 2,000,000 to conduct a feasibility study of the Techway. Congressman Frank Wolf , one of the primary sponsors of the study, asked that the study be canceled

2530-422: The size, shape, and physical properties of the earth; and to aid the space program through the precise navigational patterns of orbiting satellites. The Gaithersburg station operated until 1982 when computerization rendered the manual observation obsolete. In 1968, Gaithersburg was upgraded from a town to a city. Gaithersburg remained a predominantly rural farm town until the 1970s when more construction began. As

2585-474: The top employers in the city are: Gaithersburg also receives significant income from its conference organization platform including prominent conferences such as the CHI 84 conference. Patton Electronics was founded in Gaithersburg during 1984. Gaithersburg has an elected, five-member City Council, which serves as the legislative body of the city. The mayor, who is also elected, serves as non-voting president of

2640-450: The town was officially incorporated as the Town of Gaithersburg. Gaithersburg boomed during the late 19th century and churches, schools, a mill, grain elevators , stores, and hotels were built. Much of this development focused around the railroad station. In 1899, Gaithersburg was selected as one of six global locations for the construction of an International Latitude Observatory as part of

2695-407: The town. The racial makeup of the town was 33% White, 13% Black, 15% Asian, and 1% from other races. Hispanic people of any race were 36% of the population. The median household income was 95,453, and 6% of people were under the poverty line. The average time to work was 30 minutes, 57% of people drove alone, 11% carpooled, 8% took public transit, 1% biked, 2% walked and 20% work from home. As of

2750-498: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.24. The median age in the city was 35.1 years. 24.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 33.8% were from 25 to 44; 24.6% were from 45 to 64; and 9.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% females. As of the census of 2000, there were 52,613 people, 19,621 households, and 12,577 families residing in

2805-427: Was back in the number one spot for diversity in the U.S. Gaithersburg was settled in 1765 as a small agricultural settlement known as Log Town near the present day Summit Hall on Ralph Crabb's 1725 land grant "Deer Park". The northern portion of the land grant was purchased by Henry Brookes, and he built his brick home "Montpelier" there, starting first with a log cabin in 1780/3. This 1,000-acre tract became part of

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2860-409: Was foreign-born. There were 19,621 households, out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and

2915-507: Was known to inhabitants as Gaithersburg. The Forest Oak Post Office, named for a large tree in the town, was located in Gaither's store in 1851. On July 10, 1864, using the route of present-day 355, over 10,000 Confederate troops camped overnight in the area, including the present Bohrer Park, after a one-day march from Frederick after the Battle of Monocacy . The next day the troops continued towards Washington in an unsuccessful attempt to take

2970-487: Was south and east of the current Intercounty Connector alignment. The new route was motivated in part by a desire to move the routing of the proposed bridge over the Potomac River upstream from the area of River Bend to Watkins Island. Virginia residents and the United States Department of the Interior objected to the proposed bridge over the Potomac River because they wanted to create state and federal parks along

3025-490: Was the precursor to I-270 and follows a parallel route. It now serves as the main commercial roadway through Gaithersburg and neighboring communities. Other state highways serving Gaithersburg include Maryland Route 117 , Maryland Route 119 and Maryland Route 124 . Maryland Route 28 passes just outside the Gaithersburg corporate limits. Gaithersburg is connected to the Washington Metro via Shady Grove station , which

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