Long Reach Village Center
Developed in the 70’s, the Long Reach Village Center (LRVC) was once a hub for residents serving a variety of neighborhood needs. Various civic spaces were developed to support commercial uses and provide focal points for social interaction. With growth of newer commercial centers nearby, and changing market conditions, most of the LRVC experienced disinvestment and high vacancy rates. By 2014, the center faced decline due to increasing vacancies, poor maintenance and security issues. In response, Howard County passed legislation establishing the area as blighted and created a 19.1 acre Urban Renewal Area. As a result, the County purchased several properties, including the center, amounting to approximately 7.7 acres for redevelopment.
Hearing Examiner to Hear Village Center Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) Amendment
On March 13, 2026, at 10:00AM the Hearing Examiner for the Zoning Board held a hearing on the Columbia Concepts Long Reach Village Center Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) Amendment case.
The hearing was continued to March 18, 2026 at 10:00AM. Interested parties are encouraged to testify.
For additional information, please visit: Zoning Board Case 1132M
Zoning Board to Hear Village Center Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) Amendment
On March 11, 2026, at 7:00PM the Zoning Board held an administrative meeting to begin its review of the Columbia Concepts Long Reach Village Center Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) Amendment case. The case was referred to the hearing examiner for findings of fact.
For additional information, please visit: Zoning Board Case 1132M
Planning Board Recommends Approval of Village Center Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) Amendment
On December 18, 2025, the Columbia Concepts Long Reach Village Center Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) Amendment was presented to the Howard County Planning Board for its review and recommendation. The Planning Board voted 4-0 to recommend to the Zoning Board approval of the petition as presented.
For additional information, please visit: Planning Board
County Executive Provides Comprehensive Update on the Long Reach Village Center Project
On December 9, 2025, County Executive Ball was joined by stakeholders to provide a comprehensive update on the Long Reach Village Center redevelopment proposal and progress. Read the story here.
Long Reach Village Association Approves Community Response Statement
On December 2, 2025, the Long Reach Village Association voted to approve its Community Response Statement to the PDP Amendment. Visit the LRVA website here for additional details.
Columbia Concepts Files Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) Amendment Petition with County
On October 20, 2025, Columbia Concepts filed its Preliminary Development Plan (PDP) Amendment Petition Plan, Design Guidelines and Justification Statement with the Department of Planning & Zoning, initiating the Community Response Statement process by the Long Reach Village Association. The PDP Amendment is a more refined concept for the redevelopment of Long Reach Village Center, progressing from the Urban Renewal Plan concept with greater detail.
The redevelopment vision is branded Destination Long Reach, complete with a project website.
County Council Approves Urban Renewal Plan and Land Conveyance Resolutions
At its legislative session on February 3, 2025, the County Council approved the following resolutions, clearing the Urban Renewal Plan (concept proposal) and land conveyance authorization for the Columbia Concepts redevelopment plan.
CR161-2024 - Approving – Urban Renewal Project – Long Reach Village Center
CR162-2024 - Conveyance – 7.71 acres located at 8775 Cloudleap Court to Columbia Concepts, LLC
Planning Board Provides Favorable Recommendation to Urban Renewal Plan
At its meeting on December 19, 2024, the Planning Board reviewed the proposed development concept for the Long Reach Village Center. The Board recommended the County Council approve the Columbia Concepts plan as the Urban Renewal Plan for Long Reach Village Center.
For additional information, please visit: Planning Board
Team Selected to Begin Redevelopment of Village Center
On Tuesday, September 17th, 2024, the County informed the Long Reach Village Board and community that it had selected the Columbia Concepts team to redevelop the Long Reach Village Center. The selection followed a Request for Proposals process open from July 2023 to January 2024. Columbia Concepts envisions the future Long Reach Village Center as a vibrant mixed-use destination for multi-generational living, athletics, arts, culture, entertainment and shopping.
- View the Columbia Concepts September 2024 Presentation here
- View the County's September 2024 Presentation here
Prior to the issuance of this Request for Proposals, County Executive Calvin Ball and County staff briefed the Long Reach Village Board, community, and tenants of the Village Center on the County’s intent to issue an RFP for redevelopment on Tuesday, June 20th, 2023. A prior RFP effort ended in 2019, when the selected developer notified the County that they would no longer pursue the project. Since that time, the County has prioritized stabilization and occupancy of the village center through the Long Reach Rising plan.
Questions? Please email longreach@howardcountymd.gov.
Long Reach Rising
County Executive Calvin Ball presented his vision for Long Reach Rising in a work session of the Long Reach Community Association on February 18th, 2020.
You can view the presentation video here and the PowerPoint presentation here. The video of the live streamed event is available online. We welcome your feedback on the County's vision for a vibrant village center and invite you to provide your comments below.
Announcements
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Requests Proposals for Long Reach Village Center Property
Early Education Program Head Start More Accessible with Move to Long Reach Village Center
Mobile Phone Shop, VM Services, Moving into Long Reach Village Center
Howard International Grocer Moving into Long Reach Village Center
Blooming Hope Dominican Hair Salon Moving into Long Reach Village Center
Roving Radish Opens First Storefront in Columbia’s Long Reach Village Center
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Joins First Long Reach Garden Expansion in A Decade
Andersen-Becker Inc and ManneqART Plan Move into Long Reach Village Center
Innovative, Popular Tie-Dye Studio ‘Roll Up N Dye’ Moves Into Long Reach Village Center
Howard County Arts Council Offers Accessible Studio Space at Long Reach Village Center
African Art Museum of Maryland Plans Move To Long Reach Village Center
Surroundings: This image provides an aerial view of the property and its surrounding areas.
Address: 8775 Cloudleap Court, Columbia, MD 21045
Year Built: 1974
Property Land Area: 7.71 Acres
Zoning: New Town District
Through the Long Reach Rising leasing strategy, the County has welcomed several new tenants that offer services, or are mission focused in Arts & Culture, including:
- African Art Museum of Maryland, one of three in the United States focused exclusively on African art. Founded by Doris Ligon in 1980, the African Art Museum of Maryland is dedicated to the encouragement of broader understanding and awareness of the diverse cultures and artistic expressions of the people of the African continent.
- Andersen-Becker & ManneqART, operated by Lee Andersen. Andersen-Becker Inc, a 25 year old company that produces art clothing designed by Lee Andersen, will be creating a new fabric store and opening their fourth Factory Store in the Long Reach Village Center. They provide internship opportunities for local students and also donate materials to local artists. ManneqART, a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization for Education in the Arts looks to engage a community committed to embracing the arts.
- Roll Up N Dye, a tie-dye studio owned by Erin Cassell, winner of the 2017 Howard County Change Maker Challenge. Roll Up N Dye holds tie-dye parties and facilitates team building workshops for all ages.
- Howard County Arts Council, a longstanding institution in the County devoted to nurturing local artists and arts organizations, furthering the public’s appreciation of the arts, and ensuring that the arts are accessible — regardless of age, ability or economic status.
Through the Long Reach Rising leasing strategy, the County has welcomed several new tenants that offer services, or are mission focused in Education, including:
- Head Start, a program designed to prepare children socially, emotionally, and academically for kindergarten. The new Bauder Education Center will also serve as a family support center that provides wrap around services that include housing, energy and food assistance while their children are receiving a high-quality education that prepares them for kindergarten.
- Every Kid Can Cook, a nonprofit working to improve the mental, academic, emotional and physical well-being of youth through culturally inclusive culinary nutrition education, leadership opportunities and programming.
- Power 52, whose mission is to break the cycle of poverty, unemployment, under employment, and incarceration in our urban communities across the nation through economic empowerment and clean energy access.
Through the Long Reach Rising leasing strategy, the County has welcomed several new tenants that offer services, or are mission focused in Economic Empowerment, including:
- Roving Radish, whose mission is to promote healthy farm to table eating habits while creating a sustainable market for our local farms.
- Blooming Hope Dominican Hair Salon offering hair services for women, men and children, and offer beauty products and accessories.
- Howard International Grocer offering international foods, halal meat, fresh meat, frozen meat, fish, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, milk, eggs, snacks, and more.
- VM Services offering cellular phones, phone plans, wire transfers and more.
Continued beautification of the exterior and shared areas. The following list of projects have either been completed or are in process for future completion:
- Power washing of building walls and soffits;
- Repair of trim and soffits; painting of steel columns;
- Restoration of all exterior lighting and painting and repair of light poles;
- Power washing sidewalks; painting of parking lot striping, curbs and steel bollards;
- Repair of storm drains;
- Cleaning of courtyard drains;
- Trimming of trees, bushes and weeds;
- Painting of wood panels below windows;
- Clean window exteriors at all storefronts;
- Replace canvas awnings;
- Secured an office for the security guard
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An RFP for the disposition and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center issued July 27, 2023 is available here. Responses to the RFP were accepted through January 10, 2024.
Long Reach Directory
View a list of businesses at Long Reach, their suite numbers, and their hours of operation.