Note: this petition was created by Sebastian Smoot, a local resident and blogger (www.growingeastcounty.com) who is eager to see new amenities in our area. I promise not to use or share your email for any purpose.

East County has waited too long for investment in jobs and transit while the rest of the county prospers. The White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan would provide up to 10,000 new jobs from three projects: the "Viva White Oak" development, expansion of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and construction of the new Washington Adventist Hospital.

With the planned construction of the Route 29 Bus Rapid Transit, White Oak has the potential to be a hub for residential, retail, and high-tech industrial development. Due to its proximity to the FDA, it has been referred to as potentially becoming the "Silicon Valley of Healthcare".

However, none of these benefits can be fully realized if the County Council does not approve the "Viva White Oak" project, a 300-acre site between the FDA campus and Cherry Hill Road. In order for the project to move forward, the County must approve a "General Development Agreement" (GDA) which would allow the sale of 110 acres of County land so that it can be developed. The GDA has several protections for the County, including a Phasing Plan, Planning Department review, a set-aside of land for County or FDA use, and no County expenditures for roads until the developer begins redevelopment.

In order to meet future transportation needs, the County also plans to invest $47 million in new roads within the site and about $130 million for upgraded intersections, bikeways, and transit systems. A significant portion of these—possibly half—would be paid by the developer (the exact amount depends on the results of a traffic impact analysis).

The White Oak Science Gateway Master Plan would attract good jobs, alleviate housing scarcity, and provide much-needed infrastructure revitalization to East County. A majority of East County residents agree that "Now is East County's turn", and we are ready to see growth!