Arts Community
Oakland Mills has a strong music and arts presence. Our Music and Arts committee was started during our Revitalization by resident Phil Dopkowski as a vehicle for increasing the vibrancy in our village. Since then this group of residents has grown their number of productions and in the scope of their vision. We recognize that the arts are used across the country as a tool for creating vitality in communities, and therefore quality of life. This group's many visual and performing arts productions in conjunction with the wonderful and vibrant Lively Arts for Little Ones that Oakland Mills has come to be known for add an excitement, energy, and quality of life to the community. Want to experience it? Visit our Events page for the information on the latest Music and Arts events.

Master Plan
Download the Oakland Mills Master Plan (pdf format)

The Master Plan includes possibilities for relatively simple, moderate,
and significant changes to the village center.

The mandate: "Energize the Village Center". In January 2005, the community came together for a Town Hall Meeting to finalize and begin implementing the revitalization plan for its village. About 200 residents engaged in a 5-hour work session to identify priorities. Energizing the village center was at the top of its list.

The OMVC Master Plan Committee (an outgrowth of the Community Vibrancy Committee) was formed to fulfill that mandate. We knew that simply “filling in the spaces” was not the answer; that had been tried before. So we pulled together the community, the property owners, the Howard County government, the Columbia Association, and the merchants to devise a comprehensive strategy. We created a plan that would not only address specific issues that had been identified, but would also create a broader vision for a unique identity, greater vitality, and cohesive and well-planned redevelopment for the Oakland Mills Village Center.

Our vision is that the Oakland Mills Village Center will become a true destination with a clear identity that is cohesive and well planned, supports thriving businesses, and serves as a real center of community life.

Green Community
In line with the efforts at the Howard County level to make "Howard County a true model green community," Oakland Mills is also recognizes the importance of working towards this goal. We are continually gathering resources for residents on living green. Read more about Howard County's green initiatives.

Full Circle of Life Residency
As a community we are always curious about what residents need at all stages of their lives. We ask ourselves questions like - What services do they need? What kinds of events do they want to attend? How do they want to engage? How do they prefer to communicate? What can OMCA do to connect them to resources? What makes them want to come live here? What makes them want to stay here? We strive to effectively support, attract, and engage residents of all ages.