West Baltimore Redevelopment (Aberdeen, New Carrollton: apartments, condos, house)

[philsphan]

I am involved in an in-depth studio at The Penn State University teamed with the West Baltimore Coalition and McCormack and Taylor Planning firm based out of Baltimore. We are helping with the redevelopment of the area surroudning the West Baltimore MARC station and the "Highway to Somewhere". I could use any advise/ recommendations on what type of uses the community would want to see in this area. More specifically, the Warwick Triangle which is the industrial triangle bounded by Rt. 40 to the North, the rail line to the south and the cemetary to the West. We are aiming for a Transit Oriented Development with a "green" emphesis of primarily mixed-uses in this triangle. The Ice House is another focal point with great potential for a mixed-use hub. Identify some retail/commercial uses you would like to see in these communities and any two cents on streetscape improvements or types of housing is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Woodlands]

I think the West Baltimore MARC is a good project but without the Red Line in may not go anywhere. Even with the Red Line, Penn Station North Arts District and the proposed "East Baltimore Station" near Johns Hopkins may take a front seat in the minds of developers.. since they can attract commuters as well as of people who work either in downtown Baltimore, Aberdeen/BRAC, or at Hopkins in addition to those going into DC. West Baltimore may appeal strictly to DC and maybe some downtowners (if Red Line is built) commuters since there is no major draw or employer in that immediate area.

But I guess to get at your question.. as a commuter, I would love to see more parking and service retail at the West Baltimore Station area.. If I were looking to move into such an area, I would also want to have amenities such as service retail, a grocery store, and other amenties in the vicinity to avoid having to drive or take the bus/train. Condos/apartments intergrated into these developments and maybe a project or two similar to Camden Crossing. The challenge here is there are so may "needs" or retail voids in that section of Baltimore..how do you balance what commuters, or "new" residents in these new building want versus what the people who currently live there want and need..because they may or may not be the same thing. Other than a grocery store and maybe a dry cleaner that can appeal to everyone's basic needs... what other retail could that area support that would appeal to new residents and the existing?? If you throw in a couple of coffee shops, bagel places, etc would residents from the surrounding community support them or would it serve only residents of the new development? My guess is that if the Red Line gets built that West Baltimore Station Area may become Baltimore's version of New Carrollton where people go to park,get on/off and get the train and transfer to/from the Red Line while there is little interaction with the street or surrounding community. Thats not my hope but it seems likely...

[lemonhead]

As a commuter I look at that Ice house everydady and wish for something over there. It would be great to have a coffee place but I'll take just about anything as long as it's not a new york fried chicken. That platform needs re built btw.