Subject
title
Adoption of King Farm Farmstead Master Plan
end
Department
Recreation & Parks
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council receive the presentation, which will include follow-up information from the previous work session regarding proposed parking options, construction cost estimation, and project implementation phasing for King Farm Farmstead. Staff also recommends that the Mayor and Council adopt the King Farm Farmstead Master Plan, which is included as an attachment to the staff report.
The presentation and discussion will be facilitated by staff and the City’s consultant, Design Collective, a firm with experience in historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and using public feedback to develop forward-thinking and creative, but equally realistic, practical, and cost-effective designs.
Discussion
King Farm Farmstead is a historic property with significant cultural value. The City of Rockville initiated a planning process to transform the site into a multipurpose community destination. This master plan builds upon previous studies and summarizes the past eleven-month effort that involved community engagement, program analysis, and conceptual design to create a master plan for the site’s adaptive reuse. The overarching goal of the master plan is to preserve the farmstead’s unique historic character while adapting it to meet the evolving recreational needs of the community.
A central component of the process was extensive community engagement. A two-stage approach provided opportunities for residents, stakeholders, and local organizations to share their visions for the
site. The first stage used surveys, open-house style sessions, and online community meetings to identify what people most valued and what types of activities they would like to see in the future. Common themes included the importance of history and open space, the need for flexible event and performance spaces, and interest in community-focused programming such as markets, classes, arts, makerspaces, wellness, and youth/teen activities. The second stage of engagement presented concept options developed from this feedback, and participants were asked to evaluate them.
Four design concepts emerged, each offering a different level of intervention and reuse of the farmstead’s buildings. At one end of the spectrum was a minimal approach that prioritized preservation and limited new construction, while at the other end was a more ambitious approach that added new multipurpose spaces and improved circulation between the second floors of the dairy barns. Between these two were medium-level interventions that created flexible gathering spaces through selective modifications. Across both stages of engagement, community members expressed the strongest support for concepts that provided more usable space and greater flexibility for programming.
In July 2025, the Mayor and Council reviewed all four concepts along with the community’s input and directed the team to refine option 4, which proposed the greatest level of intervention. This option was chosen because it balanced historic preservation with the creation of spaces large enough and flexible enough to host the types of programs and events most desired by the community. Adjustments were made to further align the concept with public priorities, including ensuring space for childcare, wellness, and additional multipurpose spaces.
Recommended project phasing and estimated implementation costs are included below (includes construction, escalation, design fees, and contingency):
PHASE 1: FY2027 - FY2030
Dairy Barns: $15,323,595
Farmhouse: $3,359,101
Sitework: $2,884,796
PHASE 1 TOTAL: $21,567,493
PHASE 2: FY2031 - FY2033
Horse Barn + Tenant House 1: $4,691,147
Tenant House 2 $1,116,004
Garage $1,336,226
PHASE 2 TOTAL: $7,143,378
The refined master plan envisions the farmstead as a hub for community life. It will provide multipurpose halls for performances, markets, and larger gatherings; flexible rooms for arts, technology, and wellness; and specialized spaces for a teaching kitchen, makerspaces, and childcare. These spaces are designed to overlap and adapt so that the facility can accommodate a wide variety of activities over time. In addition to programming inside the buildings, the plan recognizes the importance of the farmstead’s landscape. The community garden and its historic corridor will be preserved and integrated into the overall experience of the site, ensuring that the outdoor setting is as much a part of the community use as the indoor facilities.
Practical considerations have also been incorporated. Accessibility will be improved and circulation will be enhanced with new connections to the surrounding neighborhood. These updates ensure that the site can support contemporary community needs while remaining welcoming and inclusive. Importantly, the conceptual design approach maintains the historic identity of the farmstead. Additions and modifications will be carefully designed to respect the original character of the buildings while providing the infrastructure necessary for modern use.
The King Farm Farmstead Master Plan represents a forward-looking vision that blends history and heritage with adaptability and community benefit. It is the product of sustained public dialogue, technical study, and careful design. By creating a space that is at once historic, flexible, and multipurpose, the project ensures that the farmstead will serve as both a cultural landmark and an active center of community life for generations to come.
Impact Statements
Equity
The King Farm Farmstead Master Plan is grounded in the City of Rockville’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The planning process was designed to ensure that the voices of community members across ages, backgrounds, abilities, and identities were heard and reflected in the master plan. Through extensive engagement opportunities, including surveys, open houses, and online participation, residents and stakeholders from across the city helped shape a shared vision for how this historic site can best serve the diverse needs of the Rockville community.
Equity is reflected in both the process and the outcome. The master plan prioritizes spaces that are flexible, welcoming, and adaptable to a wide range of cultural, recreational, educational, and wellness activities. It emphasizes physical and programmatic accessibility, ensuring that everyone can experience and benefit from the site’s amenities. The conceptual design enhances connections to surrounding neighborhoods, integrates inclusive community uses such as childcare and wellness spaces, and preserves the site’s historic integrity as a shared cultural resource.
By blending preservation with innovation, the King Farm Farmstead will serve as an inclusive community destination that honors the past while providing equitable opportunities for participation, creativity, and belonging for all who call Rockville home.
Environment
The King Farm Farmstead Master Plan embraces environmental stewardship as a core principle in the adaptive reuse of this historic site. The plan seeks to preserve and enhance the property’s natural features while also considering sustainable design strategies that support ecological health, energy efficiency, and long-term resilience.
The surrounding landscape, including its community gardens, open lawns, and historic corridor, will be thoughtfully integrated into the site’s community uses, maintaining a balance between built and natural environments. The conceptual design promotes green space as an essential component of public life, providing opportunities for recreation, reflection, and environmental education. Circulation improvements will be explored to encourage pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, reducing reliance on vehicles and fostering sustainable mobility.
Sustainability considerations will guide all aspects of the site’s development, from materials selection and water conservation to stormwater management and energy performance. Existing structures will be rehabilitated and reused whenever possible to reduce waste and preserve embodied energy. Where possible, outdoor areas will incorporate native plantings and low-impact landscaping to support local biodiversity and improve environmental quality.
By prioritizing preservation, adaptive reuse, and ecological responsibility, the King Farm Farmstead Master Plan strengthens the City of Rockville’s commitment to environmental sustainability. This approach ensures that the farmstead remains not only a cultural and community landmark but also a model for environmentally conscious design that honors the past while protecting the future.
Economy
The King Farm Farmstead Master Plan supports a sustainable and inclusive local economy by transforming a historic asset into a dynamic community destination that fosters entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic vitality. Through the adaptive reuse of existing buildings and thoughtful integration of new multipurpose spaces, the plan positions the farmstead as both a cultural landmark and an economic driver within the City of Rockville.
By providing flexible venues for markets, performances, educational programs, and community events, the farmstead will stimulate local business participation and expand opportunities for small enterprises, artisans, and service providers. Spaces such as the teaching kitchen, makerspaces, and multipurpose halls are designed to accommodate a range of activities that support workforce development, creative industries, and community-based commerce.
The plan also emphasizes the economic efficiency of preservation and adaptive reuse. By revitalizing existing structures rather than undertaking extensive new construction, the project reduces costs, conserves resources, and enhances long-term fiscal sustainability. Increased visitation and community engagement will generate positive economic ripple effects for nearby neighborhoods and local businesses, strengthening Rockville’s overall economic ecosystem.
In preserving the historic integrity of the site while promoting contemporary use, the King Farm Farmstead Master Plan creates a balanced approach to growth, one that honors history, supports innovation, and ensures that economic benefits are broadly shared across the community.
Mayor and Council History
The King Farm Farmstead has been discussed by the Mayor and Council on multiple occasions, and Capital Improvement Projects at the King Farm Farmstead are discussed annually as part of the budget process.
A work session was presented to the Mayor and Council on September 29, 2025, which included a presentation of the construction cost estimation and cost recovery analysis for programs and building uses presented during the July 14, 2025, work session. The Mayor and Council provided direction on which building use options would be incorporated into the King Farm Farmstead Master Plan and provided direction on priorities for phasing the project’s implementation.
• Work Session Video: <https://youtu.be/hOBgp7vNNHI?si=u1MMJ_VyHxuo7x-E>
A work session was presented to the Mayor and Council on July 14, 2025, which included an update on the project’s community engagement, a presentation of four building use options, and the community’s top-ranked choices for building uses and program concepts. The Mayor and Council advised staff to pursue construction cost estimation and economic analysis for two of the four options (Option #2 and #4).
• Work Session Video: <https://youtu.be/hmAnR8k1GJY?si=jRTZ44oKjAZgiEOJ>
A project launch work session was presented to the Mayor and Council on October 28, 2024, to discuss and receive direction on priorities for King Farm Farmstead Adaptive Reuse. The work session provided an overview of the park’s planning history, property milestones, site conditions and considerations, the adaptive re-use planning process, and proposed community engagement.
• Work Session Video: <https://youtu.be/huIJKdwj7Zw?si=LcEqRXsVISz0A0sU>
Previously, the Mayor and Council received a report by the King Farm Farmstead Task Force on June 12, 2017, and received a presentation regarding the King Farm Farmstead Real Estate Market Analysis Report on July 18, 2022.
Public Notification and Engagement
Significant community engagement was included during this planning process to include an Engage Rockville project website, social media, Rockville Reports Articles, in-person and virtual community sessions, online surveys, fliers and posters at city buildings, and monthly email updates. Additionally, several attempts were made to contact the land grantor, King Farm Associates, to notify them about the King Farm Farmstead adaptive reuse planning process and to invite them to participate. Project updates have been maintained on the project’s Engage Rockville website, and periodic emails about the project have been sent to the community.
Boards and Commissions Review
Updates on the project have been shared monthly with the Recreation and Park Advisory Board, and members have been active participants in community engagement sessions and community forums during Mayor and Council meetings. Project information and invitations to participate in the planning process were also shared with all Boards, Commissions, and Task Force Chairs and City Liaisons.
On September 18, 2025, a project update was presented to the Historic District Commission (HDC). The current master planning process identified proposed programs and conceptual building uses and does not include formal designs, engineering drawings, and/or building plans. Once the master planning process has concluded and a plan is adopted, the Historic District Commission will be re-engaged during the design process to include any required reviews and/or approvals.
Fiscal Impact
Projects associated with the adaptive reuse of buildings and structures at the King Farm Farmstead are not included in the City’s current Capital Improvement Program. Updated project phasing and construction cost estimates are included within this staff report.
Following the adoption of the King Farm Farmstead Master Plan, staff will develop a funding strategy for incorporating approved master plan elements into the FY 2027 - FY 2031 Capital Improvement Program.
Next Steps
Once the King Farm Farmstead Master Plan is adopted, staff will move forward with planning for implementation.