An Atlanta real estate company that specializes in developing communities for older residents hopes to do the same for the former National 4-H Conference Center site in Chevy Chase.
The town announced last week that Atlanta-based Galerie Living and D.C.-developer Community Three had signed a purchase and sale agreement for the property.
The acquisition comes five months after the National 4-H Council announced that it was selling the building because of economic challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The buyers are scheduled to give a public presentation outlining their plans for the site during an online virtual meeting on Sept. 9. It will be followed by a regular meeting of the Town Council, including a public comment portion.
Emily Hamrin, Galerie Living’s marketing director, told Bethesda Beat last week that plans to develop the property at 7100 Connecticut Ave. into a community for older residents are “early in the design phase.”
The development will likely resemble some of the company’s other properties, with amenities for the public such as an on-site restaurant and green space, she said.
“It is for seniors to live at, but it’s for everybody to enjoy,” she said.
Galerie Living will “bring the senior living expertise” to the project while Community Three will provide “local development expertise,” Hamrin said.
“They know a lot more about the area. They can make sure we’re integrating well with the [town of] Chevy Chase, and connecting us with very well-respected local architects,” she said.
After next month’s meeting, town officials will talk to the buyers about the site plan, followed by another meeting with an opportunity for public comments.
The mayor and council have previously said they want specific aspects incorporated in the plan for the 4-H property. They include:
- Opening access to a forested area with a public path
- A public recreation area with amenities
- “Compatible” residential development or possible institutional uses
- Addressing stormwater management, tree conservation, traffic engineering and school capacity issues
Hamrin said the buyers will have a better idea of what the property will look like after they hear more about community concerns and wishes.
“From there, we start building out more of a site plan and continue to really define what that space will look like,” she said. “And then we’ll just continue to work with the town and go through that whole [title] process and everything from there.”
Dan Schere can be reached at daniel.schere@moco360.media
