Northern Baltimore Plans (2014, homes, neighborhoods)

[picardlx]

I apologize if this has already been posted on these forums, the link below points to some interesting ideas for the city's central corridor. Much of this would take years if not decades to implement, but I think transforming York Rd would be good for the entire city. I'm still confused as to how York Rd's narrow streets can be made compatible with proposed bike lanes, expanded transit, and increased pedestrian traffic. I particular like the reuse of the Staples location as a mixed-use site that also serves as a new Northern Baltimore transit hub. If they could also add an express light rail shuttle bus running every 7-10 (synced with light rail schedule thereby eliminating station wait times) from that location that could potentially increase light rail utilization substantially, as the only current option is the #58, which mostly only runs once an hour and often off schedule due to it's very long route.

What would you add or subtract from the report?


http://baltimore.uli.org/wp-content/...TAP_Report.pdf

[pwduvall]

I agree with picardlx that transforming the York Road Corridor (and also Greenmount) will be difficult. There aren't any alternate streets - so there is nothing that can be done about the traffic pressure. I think the report makes a good start by proposing some nodes of community oriented businesses. Personally, I would go further, I think the city should look for opportunities to acquire property on the smaller side streets for commercial development. Good opportunities to do this will be few and far between, but making the area less of a strip can only help.

The basic problem with the suburban sections of Baltimore is that the suburbs is in the counties will always be better suburbs. Where the City can compete is by working hard to create the kind of walkable neighborhoods that a huge percentage of young people and others request in housing preference surveys.

[Woodlands]

Here is where I believe the City has its priorities backwards... They should be investing in areas that need a little "boost" instead of so heavily in places like Harbor East. Dont get me wrong, I love Harbor East.. but its nice to take people to some of the neighborhood commercial areas like Lauraville, Alonsoville, Hampden, Belverdere. It would be nice to add Waverly, Washington Village (Pigtown), West Baltimore Street, East Monument, and others to the list.. The City could help facilitate that to some degree in how it allocates its "incentives" and related infrastructure money. I know the politics drives who gets what and there is way more political capital in Harbor East and Downtown than in the little mom and pop places like some of the neighborhood main streets.. However; the neighborhood main streets can make or break the neighborhoods in which they serve. Some times its chicken or egg though... Lauraville and Hamilton help shape their commerical districts into being attractive local destinations. The reverse is often harder to achieve as in the case of Waverly.. Some of the neighborhoods to the east are challenged while the west are up and coming which is why there is such a wide range of business types in Waverly.. both good and bad. Solid commercial areas could fuel the redevelopment of the area around them because they become areas that people want to live near especially if they are safe, attractive, walkable, and provide needed goods and services.

[picardlx]

FYI

Meeting tonight June 26th at 6:30p. The Junior League of Baltimore 5902 York Rd (next to Senator Theatre).

[Woodlands]

Developer proposes 29 row homes in Hampden - baltimoresun.com