Cascade, MD (PRWEB) March 19, 2014
In 2013, the PenMar board of directors hired The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) to create a report highlighting the possibilities for land development in Fort Ritchie. One of their top recommendations was to hire a top-tier project manager for the development. PenMar Development Corporation has since hired Robert Boras as project manager. Boras will oversee all new real estate opportunities, including the land planning and development of the 600 acres known as Fort Ritchie in Cascade, Md.
Boras brings extensive expertise to the strategic decisions for redevelopment of the existing historic district with almost 50 historical buildings, plus 20 other buildings including a 48,000-square-foot commissary, 31,000-square-foot PX, a lakeside event center, and two SCIF buildings with dedicated fiber optic cable well suited for state-of-the-art data centers. Additionally, the property has great infrastructure including an existing road system, water and sewage, a new electrical substation, a 1.3-million-gallon reservoir, a cell tower, two freshwater lakes, and fiber optic cable.
Leading the visioning and conceptual development for new uses for the property, Boras will be soliciting ideas from users throughout the state. Current ideas being discussed include a senior housing community, an active adult community, a winery, a summer performing arts venue, a cider mill/bakery, a playhouse, and a main street with active shops, restaurants, and galleries. This mixed-use property will also include a vibrant, new community center, which currently exists on the property. “We are very excited to have someone on board with the experience and insight that Boras brings to the table,” says Sam Cool, chairman of the PenMar board.
Boras’ expertise spans 20 years in commercial, residential, and mixed-use real estate development and architecture. The retail centers of Olney, Van Dorn and Bayside are in the process of being transformed into vibrant mixed-use town centers as a result of Boras' role. Prior to joining the Carl M. Freeman Companies, Boras was vice president of commercial construction and development for Somerset Development in New Jersey. Projects included a 500-unit apartment, townhouse, loft and retail development called Yale Commons on the campus of Yale University, as well as the Cedar Bridge community, anchored by a minor league ballpark and 500,000 square feet of mixed use.
In early 2000’s, he oversaw the reconstruction of the Hippodrome Performing Arts Center on Baltimore’s Westside. Prior to that, Boras acquired and developed senior housing communities on the East Coast for Manor Care. With many diverse experiences, Boras’ most notable projects include the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, the Washington Metro Station design, Virginia Railway Express Station design, the California Affordable Housing Program, and numerous community revitalization projects.
For information concerning Fort Richie, contact Robert Boras at 240-500-4090 or by email at rboras(at)penmar(dot)org, or visit the website at fortrichie.com.
