Gaithersburg Denies KCA’s Request for Financial Help with Retaining Wall
The city of Gaithersburg has denied a request for financial assistance by the Kentlands Citizens Assembly (KCA) for remediation of the KCA-owned retaining wall along Quince Orchard Road.
In a letter dated Oct. 9th, Gaithersburg City Manager Tony Tomasello writes “that approval would create an unsustainable precedent relative to other homeowner’s associations located in the city.”
“There are over 90 such associations in Gaithersburg and it would be impossible for the city to fund the capital projects of each, if asked,” Tomasello said.
According to Tomasello, the city is willing to waive permit fees and to expedite plan review of subsequent work on the retaining wall.
“Additionally, City staff is available to provide technical assistance relative to future best maintenance practices,” Tomasello wrote in the letter addressed to KCA Board Chair Chris Campbell.
The city’s denial follows a July request from the KCA for $900,000 to fix the retaining wall. You may remember that a section of the wall partially collapsed in March of 2014.
UPDATED: City Responds to KCA's Request for $900,000 to Fix Retaining Wall
ORIGINAL POST UPDATED 7.24.15 The Kentlands Citizens Assembly (KCA) is requesting $900,000 from the city of Gaithersburg to fix a retaining wall that runs along Quince Orchard Road. A section of the wall partially collapsed over a year ago. The KCA’s request was transmitted in a letter dated July 9th to the Mayor and Council and […]
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Five days after a portion of Quince Orchard Road was closed following the collapse of a retaining wall in Kentlands, the stretch of road reopened on April 4 in Gaithersburg. “Quince Orchard Road was opened Friday afternoon after the contractor provided Jersey barriers along the edge of the roadway at Maryland State Highway’s request,” said […]
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City Manager Explains Significance of Retaining Wall (Video)
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What Caused the Wall to Fall? (VIDEO)
In this MyMCMedia extra, Gaithersburg City Manager Tony Tomasello says that officials believe the collapse of a Kentlands retaining wall on March 30 at Ridgepoint Place and Quince Orchard Road was weather-related. Take a look: Several residents were evacuated as a precaution because of the wall collapse. A stretch of Quince Orchard Road remains closed […]
City Manager on Kentlands Retaining Wall and Road Closure (VIDEO)
In this MyMCMedia extra, Gaithersburg City Manager Tony Tomasello gives us an update on the retaining wall that collapsed along Quince Orchard Road at Ridgepoint Place on March 30. As you heard several people were evacuated from their homes as a precaution and a portion of Quince Orchard Road remains closed for safety reasons. […]
Retaining Wall Collapse in Kentlands (PHOTOS)
UPDATED Montgomery County fire rescue units are on the scene of a partial retaining wall collapse in Gaithersburg along Quince Orchard Road and Ridgepoint Place in the Kentlands community. Public Information Officer Pete Piringer of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service says two homes along Ridgepoint Place are being evacuated as a precaution and […]
In the scheme of things, that wall isn’t that old. Do you know what *IS* old? retaining wall technology – engineers understand the forces that act on them and how they should be designed. clearly this situation represents an engineering design / execution/construction flaw for which KCA should seek remedy.