🍦Is Bill Ackman doubling down on Columbia?

Good morning, Columbia.

In today’s Columbia Scoop:

• It’s getting easier to get up and down Route 29

• Another Chick-Fil-A may be headed to East Columbia

• Bill Ackman has ties to Columbia?

Let’s get to it.

— Michelle Sinclair

Plank Slips, Lerner Leads in Forbes’ 2025 Maryland Billionaires List

Maryland is home to 11 billionaires this year, and together, they’re sitting on a cool $35 billion — that’s billion with a B. Forbes just dropped its 2025 World Billionaires List, and a few familiar names made the cut, especially around Baltimore and the D.C. suburbs.

Leading the pack is Annette Lerner, matriarch of the family behind Lerner Enterprises and the Washington Nationals. She tops Maryland’s list at $5.7 billion. Not bad for someone who lent her husband $250 in 1952 to get started. In the Baltimore orbit, Jim Davis of Allegis Group is worth $4.3 billion. His cousin? Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. Kevin Plank of Under Armour fame clocks in at $1 billion — down from $1.1 billion as UA stock continues its bumpy ride.

Monkton native Anthony Casalena, who founded Squarespace in his University of Maryland dorm, saw his net worth rise to $2.1 billion. Annapolis-based Keith Dunleavy, founder of healthcare tech firm Inovalon, came up with the idea during his Johns Hopkins residency — he’s now worth $1.9 billion.

Other billionaires on Maryland’s list include David Rubenstein ($3.8B), Dan Snyder ($4.5B), Mitchell Rales ($4.3B), Ted Leonsis ($3.1B), Bernard Saul II ($2.7B), and Joel Glazer, who just sold a stake in Manchester United. Globally, Elon Musk leads the list at $342 billion. The total billionaire count? A record-breaking 3,028. But back here in Maryland, most fortunes stayed flat or dipped. Still, it’s safe to say there’s no shortage of zeroes in the Free State. ($)

THE DIGEST

Columbia’s Growing Pains: Villages and CA in a Standoff

Columbia was built on community — but right now, the vibe is more strained than neighborly. Village leaders and Columbia Association (CA) staff are butting heads over contracts, cash, and control of community buildings. Columbia comprises 10 villages, each with its own board, manager, and Village center. CA is the HOA-like umbrella that runs everything. The beef? CA negotiated contracts without talking to the villages. Money’s a sore spot, too. Assessment revenue has shrunk. River Hill is down $45,000 a year. Now CA’s eyeing more control over the 24 village-run buildings it owns. Everyone says they want what’s best for the community—now it’s time to sit down, listen up, and actually make that happen.

FLASH Forward: Route 29’s Getting a Major Commute Upgrade

Route 29 commuters, rejoice—help is finally on the way. Howard and Montgomery counties just teamed up to expand the Flash rapid bus service, with shiny new stations coming to Maple Lawn, John’s Hopkins APL, Merriweather, and Downtown Columbia. Starting in 2026, buses will run every 30 minutes during rush hour between Silver Spring and Columbia. It’s faster, cheaper, and way less stressful than sitting in traffic—or battling for a train seat. After years of planning, this ride’s finally leaving the station.

Wande Owens Is NFL Bound—Howard County’s All-Time Rushing Leader Signs with the Bills

Wande Owens is headed to the NFL. The former Glenelg star—and Howard County’s all-time leading rusher—signed with the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent this weekend. If you watched him on Friday nights, this won’t surprise you. Owens ran for 6,361 yards in high school (yes, six thousand), breaking the county’s single-season rushing record twice. He was a two-time Howard County Offensive Player of the Year—and he’s just getting started. In college, he reinvented himself. Owens switched to defense and didn’t miss a beat, starring at Yale and New Hampshire, where he led the team in tackles, picked off passes, and played with the same fire he brought to the backfield. Now he joins a crowded Bills secondary, looking to prove he belongs. His high school coach, Butch Schaffer, put it best: “He’s just one of those kids. He does amazing things all the time.” Buffalo just got a good one. ($)

Pershing Power Play: Columbia’s Future Tied Tighter to Bill Ackman

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman is doubling down on downtown Columbia. His hedge fund, Pershing Square, just struck a $900 million deal to boost its stake in Howard Hughes Holdings from 38% to nearly 47%. Howard Hughes owns over 50% of Columbia's commercial town center. The deal also makes Ackman executive chairman. He wants to turn Howard Hughes into a modern-day Berkshire Hathaway. That could mean more money — and momentum — behind its 30-year redevelopment plan, including a new library.

Howard County Hospital Unveils Big Mental Health Upgrade

Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center just gave its behavioral health unit a serious glow-up—growing from 1,500 to 7,000 square feet and boosting capacity from six to 24 patients. It’s a much-needed fix. The ER sees about 11 mental health patients a day (on top of 150 medical cases daily), and wait times can stretch way too long. The new space? Bright, calming, and built for healing—with private bathrooms and actual windows (finally). Hospital leaders say it’s a game-changer for patients—and just the start of more upgrades coming down the pipeline.

Ghost Gun, Robbery Plot, Murder — Teens to Be Tried as Adults

A Howard County judge says the two teens accused of killing 26-year-old Kendrick McLellan will stand trial together — and as adults. Tracee Parker, now 18, and Elijah Hale, just 14, face first-degree murder charges. Police say McLellan picked up the suspects in Ellicott City before being shot and left in a parked car in Columbia. Parker was arrested at Howard High with a fully automatic ghost gun in his backpack. Prosecutors say this was a planned robbery and murder. McLellan’s mother says, “If they doing a crime, they need to do the time.” ($)

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LOCAL BUSINESS

Chick FIl A may be coming to Snowden Square…. Raising Cains better watch out!

Chick-fil-A could be the next big name headed to Snowden Square. The aging shopping center off Snowden River Parkway has seen new life since Raising Cain’s moved in 18 months ago. Adding a long time Columbia favorite like Chick-fil-A would be another major boost. No official word yet, but county permits point to waffle fries in East Columbia’s future.

Certified Pizza Royalty Lands in Columbia

Neapolitan pizza lovers, rejoice—Columbia just scored the real deal. Pupatella, the only pizzeria in Maryland with official Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN) certification, is now open in the former Pizza Hut off Snowden River. That means their pizzas—fired in a 900-degree wood oven with flour, tomatoes, and mozzarella straight from Italy—meet the gold standard of authenticity. No shortcuts, no gimmicks, just the same techniques used in Naples for 200 years. Columbia’s pizza scene just leveled up. And yes, it is worth the hype.

Today’s Catch Closes After 48 Years in Columbia

After nearly five decades of serving fresh seafood, Today’s Catch in Wilde Lake has closed its doors. Run by brothers Jim and Bill Miller since 1985, the market was a local favorite—and a 2024 “Best of Howard County” winner. Regulars are heartbroken. The fish may be gone, but the memories remain

Duchess Variety Closes—Ellicott City Loses a Legend

No fanfare. No farewell. Just a handwritten “closed permanently” sign on the door. After decades of meat-stacked sandwiches and $3.75 milkshakes, Duchess Variety Store is gone. Ms. Maggie ran the show solo—quiet, focused, and never in a rush. Lunchtime lines snaked through the store. Prices were stuck in the past. And so was the charm. Locals are gutted. No one really thought Duchess would close… until it did. Ellicott City won’t be the same without her. ($)

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

This week’s featured event. . .

Wine in the Woods Turns 29—Still Aging Like Fine… Well, You Know

It’s that time again, Columbia. Wine in the Woods is back Saturday and Sunday, May 18–19, and somehow, after 29 years, it just keeps getting better. It’s been voted Best Festival in Howard County (and rightly so), and it’s the biggest wine festival in MD. It’s two glorious days of Maryland wine, local beer, live music, and food that makes you glad you wore stretchy pants. This year’s crown jewel? The Maryland Wine Explorer Village. Bigger pours, private bathrooms, exclusive vibes, and crab pot pie from Old Line Crab Company. Need we say more? You’ll get a souvenir glass, unlimited good vibes, and a front-row seat to one of Columbia’s proudest traditions. Whether you’re there for the wine, the food, or just to wander the woods with a buzz and a beat, this one always delivers. Must be 21+ to sip. Rain or shine, we’re clinking glasses either way. Tickets are on sale now—don’t sleep on it. HAPPENIN’

SATURDAY 5-10

Asian American & Pacific Islander Festival Returns to Merriweather Park

This Saturday, May 10th, from 12-5pm, Columbia’s getting colorful with the 4th annual Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Festival at the Chrysalis-Merriweather Park! Expect live music, dance, martial arts, crafts, and food that'll knock your flip-flops off. It’s free, family-friendly, and full of culture, community, and connection. Bring the whole crew—this one’s for everyone.

Last Call to Join the Force—Summer 2025 Academy Testing Ends Today

Dreaming of a badge? Today’s your shot. Howard County Police are wrapping up entry-level testing for the Summer 2025 academy this Saturday, May 10 from 9am-2pm at the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center (2200 Scott Wheeler Dr., Marriottsville). Knock out the written exam, physical test, and interview—all in one go. Apply on PoliceApp, bring that signed waiver, and get moving. This is how you start a career that really matters.

WEDNESDAY 5-14

Wednesdays Just Got Way Tastier

Mark your calendars and skip that sad desk lunch — Food Truck Wednesdays are rolling into the Merriweather District from 11 AM–2 PM, every Wednesday, May 7th through October 29th. We’re talking sizzling street eats, sweet treats, and global flavors parked in one artsy, music-loving neighborhood. It’s the kind of lunch break that turns coworkers into carpool buddies and bites into best bites ever. Hungry yet? We’ll see you there.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

CIVIL NEWS

Tradepoint Atlantic to Bring 500 Jobs to Howard County

Howard County just scored big. Tradepoint Atlantic is building a 500,000-square-foot logistics hub off Route 1, bringing 500 new jobs and a $100 million investment to the area.

The project—dubbed Tradepoint at Savage Crossing—marks the company’s first major expansion outside its massive Sparrows Point project and adds momentum to the county’s push to revitalize the Route 1 corridor.

“This is about bringing energy, opportunity, and good jobs closer to home,” said County Executive Calvin Ball. Construction is expected to kick off in early 2026, with the first building ready by late 2026 or early 2027. The industrial park will include three buildings with flex warehousing and state-of-the-art facilities.

Veterans Monument to Break Ground at Columbia Lakefront

After 10+ years of planning, fundraising, and dreaming, Columbia is breaking ground on its Veterans and Military Families Monument. The ceremony’s set for Monday, June 12 at 11 a.m. at Millie Bailey Park. The star-shaped sculpture will honor service, sacrifice, and community—and finally give Howard County a permanent place to reflect and remember. Completion is expected by the end of 2026.

Class Sizes, Cuts, and a $54M Gap: HCPSS Budget on the Line

It was standing room only at Wednesday’s County Council hearing, where over 100 residents packed the room demanding full funding for Howard County schools. The ask? $1.257 billion—$107 million over the state-required minimum. County Executive Calvin Ball’s proposed budget offers $800 million, including $45.7 million in new revenue, but leaves a $30–54 million gap, depending on priorities.

Advocates say that gap means larger class sizes, staff cuts, and reduced programs. “It's déjà vu,” said Ryan Powers of the Howard County Education Coalition. “Every year, we’re fighting for basics.” HCEA President Benjamin Schmitt added, “You can’t say education is a priority while cutting it every year.” The debate continues next week. The final vote? May 21. Until then, expect more voices—and louder ones.

Hard Hats On: Howard County Is Building Its Workforce Future

Howard Community College is getting a major addition—$20.5 million is going toward a brand-new Workforce Development & Trades Center, set to open June 2026. County Executive Calvin Ball announced the investment Thursday, calling it a game-changer for Howard County’s economy and future. Think skilled trades, cybersecurity, green tech, and even real oil changes—students will train on high-tech gear and a life-sized mock house inside the new building. This project’s been 45 years in the making (yes, forty-five), and now it’s finally go-time. Ball put $5 million in county funds on the table, HCC chipped in $3.6 million, and the state matched with $11.9 million. The students of Howard County should be the big beneficiaries.

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WEATHER

THURSDAY

76 🌡️ 55 | ☁️ | 40% | 💨 S-SW 2-7 mph

FRIDAY

66 🌡️ 51 | 🌨️ | 40% | 💨 S-SW 6-24 mph

SATURDAY

70 🌡️ 46 | ⛅️ | 0% | 💨 S 3-9 mph

SUNDAY

76 🌡️ 52. | ⛅️ | 0% | 💨 E-SE 3-6 mph

MONDAY

72 🌡️ 52 | ⛅️ | 0% | 💨 E-NE 3-7 mph

TUESDAY

68 🌡️ 58 | 🌨️ | 25% | 💨 E-NE 5-9 mph

WEDNESDAY

74 🌡️ 61 | 🌨️ | 25% | 💨 W-NW 3-9 mph

LIVE MUSIC LOWDOWN

THURSDAY

The Collective Encore | Abacab, A Tribute to Genesis, Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel
Merriweather Post Pavilion | Rufus Du Sol Inhale/Exhale World Tour 2025
Reckless Shepherd | Groovalicious
Cured 18th & 21st | Sidestreet Duo

FRIDAY

The Collective Encore | Technicolor Motorhome A Tribute to Steely Dan night 1
Cured 18th & 21st | Kevin Howard

SATURDAY

The Collective Encore | Technicolor Motorhome A Tribute to Steely Dan night
Reckless Shepherd | Klepto Radio
Cured 18th & 21st | Bronson Hoover
Sonoma’s | Blue Line Band

SUNDAY

Cured 18th & 21st | Bob Butta (brunch) Sidestreet Duo (dinner)

THANKS!

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