Worldbridge

It would be a mistake, at this relatively early stage, fo Baltimore County to cut off the possibility that Worldbridge Center might become a reality. Nonetheless, it appears that lack specificity on the part of the developer along with greatly exploited fears of an Asian presence in eastern Baltimore County finally tipped the scales against the project.The newly announced opposition of Executive Roger Hayden and 5th District Councilman Vince Gardina makes virtually certain that the zoning changes sought by the developer will never be approved -- and the potential loss is enormous.

The Baltimore County Board of Appeals has turned down an attempt to get higher density zoning to permit construction of 154 detached new houses on a 46-acre farm next to land that was to have become the Worldbridge Asian Theme Park.The Rohe Farm, already zoned for up to 71 new houses, lies on the south side of Bird River Road, near Reames Road.Developer Thomas Frech said the County Council erred in not upgrading the zoning in 1988, during the last comprehensive rezoning process, and cited plans for the now defunct Worldbridge project as proof that change in the area is likely.

For three years, New York developer Dean Gitter was unable to fulfill his dream of Worldbridge Centre, an Asian-themed cultural, trade and investment complex. Then Westinghouse Corp. took over as project manager for the complex, which supposedly will be built on 1,000 acres of vacant land in Middle River. Westinghouse's respected name raised hopes that the $1 billion project would quickly take shape and become reality.Yet almost a year after Westinghouse entered the Worldbridge development process, there is even more confusion than before in Baltimore County about exactly what is being planned for that "Asia Pacific Worldpark."

When Baltimore County Executive Roger Hayden and Councilman Vincent Gardina last week rejected a zoning request for Worldbridge, some commentators were ready to bury the planned $1-billion development. Worldbridge as an Asian-themed cultural and trade complex may indeed be dead (although its initiator claims otherwise), but it is too early to assume that the 1,000-acre tract in Middle River will remain vacant.When the dust settles, we would not be surprised to see New York developer Dean Gitter take his plans for Chinese dragons and other Oriental paraphernalia elsewhere.

When Baltimore County Executive Roger Hayden and Councilman Vincent Gardina last week rejected a zoning request for Worldbridge, some commentators were ready to bury the planned $1-billion development. Worldbridge as an Asian-themed cultural and trade complex may indeed be dead (although its initiator claims otherwise), but it is too early to assume that the 1,000-acre tract in Middle River will remain vacant.When the dust settles, we would not be surprised to see New York developer Dean Gitter take his plans for Chinese dragons and other Oriental paraphernalia elsewhere.

No measure of reassurance from Baltimore County officials, nor from developers of the Worldbridge trade center and theme park last night could sell Carlisle Ewing on the benefits of the development."

Legislation to rezone 1,000 acres in Middle River for an Asian theme park and trade center met stiff opposition from residents who said Baltimore County officials were moving too fast and that proposed zoning changes for the developer were too flexible.More than 200 county residents jammed the County Council chambers last night for a Planning Board hearing on proposed broad zoning for Worldbridge Centre, a $1 billion project planned by New York developer Dean Gitter.County Executive Dennis Rasmussen, who yesterday appointed an advisory committee for Worldbridge, favors the project because it could bring 4,000 jobs during construction, Frank Robey the county administrative officer, told the audience.

A New York developer's dream of an Asian theme park in Middle River won't come true if the Baltimore County Council member who represents the area can help it.Vincent J. Gardina, D-5th, said yesterday he will not introduce the special zoning legislation necessary to allow the construction of Worldbridge Centre -- and will oppose it if anyone else does, effectively killing the project."

State and Baltimore County officials have agreed on a "preferred" route for a key road that would connect Interstate 95 to Worldbridge Centre, a proposed trade center and Asian theme park planned for a 1,000-acre tract in Middle River.While the decision is not final -- a public hearing on four possible routes has yet to be held -- government's preferred option would extend Md. 43 east from Pulaski Highway and connect onto Eastern Boulevard, across from Martin State Airport.That option is desirable because it puts the new road very near the new MARC train stop in Middle River, said Craig Forrest, a transportation planner for the county.

Dean Gitter, the nattily dressed New York developer who wants to build a 1,310-acre cultural theme park/trade center in Middle River, had heard enough.Apparently unhappy with negative comments about Worldbridge, his proposed Asian-theme development, Gitter left during a public hearing on proposed zoning regulations that would permit the project. He walked out on about 200 residents in the Baltimore County Council chamber.The council held the public hearing, as required by law, before the seven-member body decides whether to pass the zoning that Gitter says he needs to get financing for the $500 million project.

It would be a mistake, at this relatively early stage, fo Baltimore County to cut off the possibility that Worldbridge Center might become a reality. Nonetheless, it appears that lack specificity on the part of the developer along with greatly exploited fears of an Asian presence in eastern Baltimore County finally tipped the scales against the project.The newly announced opposition of Executive Roger Hayden and 5th District Councilman Vince Gardina makes virtually certain that the zoning changes sought by the developer will never be approved -- and the potential loss is enormous.

For Carlisle L. Ewing, 68, Middle River auto graveyard operator and former U.S. Marine, the body blow that Baltimore County officials delivered this week to the proposed Worldbridge Asian theme park and trade center doesn't repair the politicians' images one bit."I hope both of 'em go down the drain," Ewing said of County Executive Roger B. Hayden and County Councilman Vince Gardina, D-5th.On Tuesday, Hayden and Gardina announced they would not support special zoning regulations needed for the theme park to become reality.

A New York developer's dream of an Asian theme park in Middle River won't come true if the Baltimore County Council member who represents the area can help it.Vincent J. Gardina, D-5th, said yesterday he will not introduce the special zoning legislation necessary to allow the construction of Worldbridge Centre -- and will oppose it if anyone else does, effectively killing the project."

Worldbridge Centre, a mammoth Asian-theme cultural park and trade center proposed for eastern Baltimore County, has lost critical support among county officials, making the project tougher, if not impossible, to carry out.Discouraged by the lack of concrete signs that developer Dean L. Gitter can deliver the 1,000-acre project he unveiled in May 1988, Baltimore County Executive Roger B. Hayden and County Councilman Vincent Gardina, D-5th, have decided not...

For three years, New York developer Dean Gitter was unable to fulfill his dream of Worldbridge Centre, an Asian-themed cultural, trade and investment complex. Then Westinghouse Corp. took over as project manager for the complex, which supposedly will be built on 1,000 acres of vacant land in Middle River. Westinghouse's respected name raised hopes that the $1 billion project would quickly take shape and become reality.Yet almost a year after Westinghouse entered the Worldbridge development process, there is even more confusion than before in Baltimore County about exactly what is being planned for that "Asia Pacific Worldpark."

One week before Baltimore County officials are due to voice their opinions about the Worldbridge Centre, the state released yesterday a glowing report on the economic impact of the proposed $500 million Asian theme park and trade center.Worldbridge, an educational, retail, business, convention and entertainment center, will generate more than $1.7 billion a year in economic "ripples" during normal operations and lead to the creation of 28,000 jobs statewide, according to the state Department of Economic and Employment Development's research office.

Once again, residents of southeast Baltimore County filled a public hearing last night to speak out against plans for an Asian cultural center.Keith Roberts was one of about 100 residents who gathered at 7:30 p.m. in the County Council chamber in Towson for the public hearing.Mr. Roberts chose to address his comments to County Councilman Vincent Gardina, D-5th, who represents the district where Worldbridge would be located.He called for a show of hands in the room for people who were opposed to Worldbridge and nearly every hand went up. "Mr. Councilman, you defeated a 16-year incumbent," Mr. Roberts said.