HUNT VALLEY TOWNE CENTRE UNVEILS YOUTH
ESCORT POLICY, EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 23
Program modeled after national and local policies that have successfully deterred and reduced incidents at retail centers
Owings Mills, MD (September 21, 2005) – Timed in conjunction with the grand opening of Hunt Valley Towne Centre and Wegmans Food Market next week, a new "Youth Escort Policy," has been unveiled by Greenberg Gibbons Commercial Corporation, the owner and developer of the 980,000 square foot lifestyle center in Hunt Valley. The program is modeled after similar national and local programs that have successfully deterred and reduced incidents, and is an enhancement to the center's existing safety program.
The major element of the Policy requires guests ages 17 and under – who are patronizing Hunt Valley Towne Centre after 9:00 pm – to be accompanied by a parent or guardian that is 21 years of age or older, while in the center's common areas. Persons violating this policy will be asked to leave the property. Guests 17 years of age and under may directly visit a store with extended operating hours, subject to individual store policies.
Complete details of this Youth Escort Policy, as well as Hunt Valley Towne Centre's Rules of Etiquette, are posted on signage contained on the property in various locations. The rules and policies will be enforced by private security, and supplemented by Baltimore County Police Department Uniformed Secondary Employment. Greenberg Gibbons Commercial sponsored a series of forums and educational seminars with area public and private high schools to review the policies and generate feedback before deciding on this program.
"We are implementing this policy as part of our pro-active measures to help create and sustain a welcoming environment at Hunt Valley Towne Centre for all audiences," stated Brian Gibbons, President and CEO of Greenberg Gibbons Commercial Corporation. "We have heavily researched programs around the country that effectively employ teen curfew or youth escort programs. After extensive discussions with a variety of constituents, including local teachers, students and our tenants, we feel this is the appropriate course of action to coincide with our grand opening," he added.
"The number of youth escort policies that exist at centers across the country has doubled in less than two years," explained Patrice Duker, spokeswoman for the International Conference of Shopping Centers. "The common element among these projects is that they are not sending a "we don't want teens message." Rather, they are trying to create an atmosphere that is conducive to families visiting the center together. Projects have tweaked and altered their exact programs based on the unique conditions and environment in which they operate," she added.
The Youth Escort Policy will be enforced within the common areas of Hunt Valley Towne Centre, which encompasses the outdoor plazas, sidewalks and parking fields that surround the project.
Greenberg Gibbons Commercial, founded in 1968, focuses on the acquisition, development, leasing and management of mixed-use properties and retail shopping centers in the Mid-Atlantic region. The firm builds value in these holdings through asset management, re-development and leasing activities. The company presently owns and manages eighteen properties totaling more than three million square feet of space.
For additional information, Contact:
Greenberg Gibbons Commercial Corporation 410-559-2500
Larry Lichtenauer, LH&A 410-833-6205
