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The Olney Town Center Advisory Committee has completed a draft plan that could create a civic center and town square in the heart of Olney, bringing together services such as library and police and offering a gathering spot for outdoor events.

The updated Olney Master Plan, approved in March 2005, cited a need for both a civic center and open space. The civic center could address the problem of finding a permanent home for county services such as a new library, the Olney Satellite Police Station and an office of the Mid-County Regional Services Center.

Non-public uses could include an office for the Olney Chamber of Commerce, community meeting space and a teen center.

The master plan also states that Olney lacks substantial open space for the community to gather for festivals and events. It recommends an outdoor public space, approximately 1 acre in size, which could accommodate functions such as Olney Days, National Night Out and the Olney Farmers and Artists Market.

The committee presented its draft at last week's meeting of the Greater Olney Civic Association (GOCA).

GOCA delegates voted to support the list of potential uses for the civic center and town commons.

Committee Chairman Jim Smith said members have collected a lot of ideas and pulled them together in the concept paper.

"We are in the process of vetting these requests now and are still open to ideas," he said.  

To make the vision become a reality, Smith said it would likely require a land swap involving public property, a public-private partnership, or the public acquisition of private property.

The town center committee, comprised of members of local civic organizations, homeowners associations, businesses and county agencies, was formed as a result of revising the Olney Master Plan to review development proposals for parcels within the town center, make recommendations to the county Planning Board, and created a concept that includes a civic center and open gathering space.

After hosting meetings that included discussions about potential uses and presentations from various local organizations, the committee will spend the next several months working on refining the document to include suggestions from the community.

Proposed uses include space for the Olney Chamber of Commerce, which could also serve as a visitor's center. The plan suggests it be located on the ground floor to provide easy access. The space would also contain meeting rooms for chamber members.

A fully functioning Police Satellite Station could replace the trailer now used in the Giant parking lot. The facility would allow officers to work in Olney, meet with the community and complete administrative tasks without having to drive to the district headquarters in Wheaton.

A new and expanded library could replace the current facility on Olney-Laytonsville Road, which the committee believes lacks a public presence. It would have at least some first-floor access, but would likely feature several stories.  

A Mid-County Regional Services office could offer services without residents having to go to the main office in Wheaton. The facility could share space with the library or chamber.

Long promoted by local teen organization Project Change, a teen center could be included. The group has requested a space where it could use computers, swap CDs and games, and hold fundraisers.

Because the space would primarily be used by teens on weekends and evenings, the space could be available to mother's groups or senior citizens during the day.

Smith said the next step is to approach elected officials to make sure they are aware of the plan.

"There are a lot of pieces to this, so we want to get the public part in place," he said.

Smith said the committee expects to submit its final concept plan to Park and Planning by the summer.

"Park and Planning will approve the development plan, but they don't have the money to make it possible," he said. "That will have to come from the county or state."