Larry Twele, Carroll County's director of economic development, said this week that the recently-proposed Liberty Crossing business park in Eldersburg is an appropriate fit and use for the community.

"That's been zoned industrial since at least 1977," said Twele. "That was there before the neighborhood, and I'm sorry that it offends some people that it's been zoned industrial.

"It's our job to turn industrial land into things that create jobs and a tax base for the county," he added.

Twele said the county needs more business park space because companies in the technology industry are looking to move to Carroll County.

Baltimore-based St. John Properties is proposing to build on 40 acres at the Freedom Golf Center, located at 438 Old Liberty Road, near Gera Way.

That plan calls for two, 16,645-square-foot retail strip center buildings, as well as a 4,000-square-foot bank, a 6,000-square-foot restaurant and two office/warehouse buildings totaling 127,400 square feet.

Liberty Crossing would also include two 24,480-square-foot office buildings and a 12-pump gas station with a convenience store.

Twele said the developer hopes to break ground in the spring.

"They are quickly moving ahead," he said.

But Al Cunniff, director of marketing for St. John Properties, noted that the company does not have any permits -- and he said the firm doesn't even own the property yet.

Cunniff said because the property is in a contract phrase, he doesn't believe it's appropriate to discuss plans submitted to the county.

"We're still evaluating feasibility," he said.

Cunniff encouraged people to learn more about St. John Properties at its Web site, www.stjohnpropertiesinc.com.

Homeowners interviewed by The Eagle who live near the property have expressed concern over the business park development beside them and wonder if the developer will go through with the project -- especially since other business projects in town aren't showing progress.

The retail, restaurant and gas station at the business park, Twele said, would be primarily for workers in the offices and warehouses of the park, though the community would use it, too.

"They don't want to be isolated in some industrial park and get in their cars and drive to lunch," he said.

Twele pointed to the move of GSE Systems to the London Fog building in Eldersburg as an example of success when there's quality business park development.

The nuclear reactor simulator company is occupying about 40,000 square feet in the building. (See story, page 1.)

John Moran, GSE chief executive officer, said his employees look forward to the Main Street Eldersburg opening up to serve his workforce.

Eldersburg has a 2.2 percent unemployment rate, the area medium household income exceeds $100,000 and 40 percent of residents in the area have a bachelor's degree or higher, Twele said.

"You got a highly educated, high-wealth population, and they are demanding these services," he added

Twele said he realizes Eldersburg and Sykesville have several industrial and commercial developments in the works, but he said it's all justified.

"It's a very hot corner of the county. There's a lot of business interest here," Twele said. "It's approximate to BWI, the Baltimore market, I-70. The demand is hot."

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