CIP - What is going on with the $423 million Central Office Headquarters?

[Anonymous]

Maybe this was discussed elsewhere. The CIP amended on 11/20, still has a line item for “Central Office Headquarters (CESC Replacement”. The central office has mold and is very old apparently.
The project is listed in the CIP as a $223 million project though, and reserving $200?! More For the next CIP (after 2032). Yes $423 in total.
It appears then it was discussed in the 11/4 Work Session, as having a Private-public-partnership (a “P3” apparently.
A Bethesda magazine article has a quote from MCPS Swiatocha explaining a P3 as “It’s just like our home where we don’t have the upfront capital to often pay for your home, so you take out that 30-year mortgage.”
https://bethesdamagazine.com/2025/11/04/mcps-public-private-partnership/
What is the extent of the project, are they borrowing $423 million?, and anyone know many workers is this for?

[Anonymous]

They discussed ES here: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1302262.page

Anything about CO renov? Didn't they recently do a renovation that Board meeting room is new

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They discussed ES here: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1302262.page

Anything about CO renov? Didn't they recently do a renovation that Board meeting room is new

The rest of the building is not good. Not sure why they aren't moving everyone into the high rises on Gude and turning CESC into a holding school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They discussed ES here: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1302262.page

Anything about CO renov? Didn't they recently do a renovation that Board meeting room is new

The rest of the building is not good. Not sure why they aren't moving everyone into the high rises on Gude and turning CESC into a holding school.

That building would need to be torn down and replaced to be used as a holding school. They don't own the ones at Gude, and the lease is crazy expensive. The BOE took it over two years ago and moved in, completely remodeling it to leave the space in like-new condition. They left the mold-infested place and the staff behind. They evicted the MVA from the space and probably used the MVA money to pay for it.

[Anonymous]

Feels like they should be renting 1-3 office buildings that are empty. Would save a ton of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They discussed ES here: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1302262.page

Anything about CO renov? Didn't they recently do a renovation that Board meeting room is new

The new Board room is at Gude, not Carver.

[Anonymous]

Mcps is the mafia. All dissent will be squashed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Feels like they should be renting 1-3 office buildings that are empty. Would save a ton of money.

It would make more sense or move them to a more updated facility vs. renting them out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They discussed ES here: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1302262.page

Anything about CO renov? Didn't they recently do a renovation that Board meeting room is new

The new Board room is at Gude, not Carver.

They were at Carver and moved themselves out to Gude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They discussed ES here: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1302262.page

Anything about CO renov? Didn't they recently do a renovation that Board meeting room is new

The rest of the building is not good. Not sure why they aren't moving everyone into the high rises on Gude and turning CESC into a holding school.

That building would need to be torn down and replaced to be used as a holding school. They don't own the ones at Gude, and the lease is crazy expensive. The BOE took it over two years ago and moved in, completely remodeling it to leave the space in like-new condition. They left the mold-infested place and the staff behind. They evicted the MVA from the space and probably used the MVA money to pay for it.

They are not tearing down SSIMS to use it as a holding school. Maybe they should buy the Discovery Building in DTSS for office space. It would cost far less than the CESC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They discussed ES here: https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1302262.page

Anything about CO renov? Didn't they recently do a renovation that Board meeting room is new

The rest of the building is not good. Not sure why they aren't moving everyone into the high rises on Gude and turning CESC into a holding school.

That building would need to be torn down and replaced to be used as a holding school. They don't own the ones at Gude, and the lease is crazy expensive. The BOE took it over two years ago and moved in, completely remodeling it to leave the space in like-new condition. They left the mold-infested place and the staff behind. They evicted the MVA from the space and probably used the MVA money to pay for it.

They are not tearing down SSIMS to use it as a holding school. Maybe they should buy the Discovery Building in DTSS for office space. It would cost far less than the CESC.

I don't think MCPS wants to be aware from the seat of power for the county: Rockville.

[Anonymous]

There's some useful analysis of this P3 idea here:

https://montgomeryperspective.com/2025/11/05/taylor-wants-a-public-private-partnership-on-mcpss-headquarters-site/