Lavender Avenue Walgreens Construction Starting in Fall

Construction for a Walgreens drug store on Lavender Avenue is slated to begin this fall.

David Schlachman, founder and principal of DMS Development, said Friday that the store, part of a national chain, should be open for business within a year.

Baltimore County sold the property, a half-acre parking lot, to the Towson-based developer for $530,00 in May 2011. Some Parkville residents advocated against the sale, arguing that the lot was critical to local economic revitalization, serving as convenient public parking for nearby businesses in an area with limited parking and public space for events.

Schlachman said public parking would not be permitted to continue at the property as it could hinder business and expose the store to liabilities. But he said DMS is committed to working with community members to host public events—such as a summer concert series—at the site when possible.

"We do want to have a good relationship with the community," he said.

Following the sale, the Baltimore County Revenue Authority agreed to fund $100,00 for revitilization efforts in Parkville.

Patch editors Bryans Sears and Nick Gestido contributed to this report.