Southwest Partnership
Safe, Vibrant, and Walkable Streets Committee
MEETING MINUTES
Thursday, February 25, 2016, 7pm
UM BioPark, 801 West Baltimore Street. Baltimore, MD
—IN ATTENDANCE —
Scott Kashnow
Bif Browning
Chris Redwood
Philecia Tyrell
Elizabeth Weber
Dan Rodenburg
Carey St. Underpass Project
Art Discussion: Scott suggested that a way to adjust the preliminary design of the Carey St underpass project so that it was less linear was to adjust the artwork on the top of the bridge so that it was more curved. He suggested an arch of railroad tracks. The committee discussed potential artwork ideas and agreed that the B&O’s input and support would be needed, and the a community invitation for ideas for artwork would be a good idea.
Project Schedule:
- Meet with the B&O and talk about the project: show them what we have, ask what is feasible and come in with priorities. Scott will arrange the meeting with notes from Chris
- Determine next steps for ways to move the design forward
- Connect with an engineering firm (potentially Century Engineers)
- Get an engineering or feasibility study for the construction
- Determine exactly what B&O would be willing to do
- Determine what the bridge’s property lines are and meet with neighboring property owners
- Develop plans for separate projects which can be broken out of the design:
- lighting
- artwork
- painting
- and S. Carey St. Project Brainstorming
The table below has the results of the brainstorming. The purpose: to begin thinking of ideas to improve Carey Street from Pigtown to Franklin Square.
Scott will invite residents of Waverly Terrace to the Committee’s meetings
| Project | Who | Immediate/2016 | Multi-year |
| Bump outs at the corners of intersections | City | ||
| Gardening and beautification activities especially around SW Baltimore Charter School | Committee | Yes | |
| Uncover and restoring sidewalks to original widths | City | ||
| Creative beautification for the 400 block of S. Carey St. after the bridge | Committee | Yes | |
| Opening new tree pits, expanding existing tree pits, and adding groundcover | Committee/City | Yes | |
| Better lighting at Herkimer and Wash. Blvd | City | ||
| Improve Franklin Square Park fronting Carey St. | Committee/ Neighborhood Association |
||
| Bike lane or path along Franklin Square Park sidewalk facing Carey St | City | ||
| Influence construction of W. Baltimore Bike Plan starting at locations along Carey Street so that it fits with goals for Carey St. | Committee (Bif will take lead) |
Yes | |
| Install interesting crosswalk designs | City | ||
| Install timed crosswalk lights, and lights for visually-impaired, ensure lights meet ADA requirements | City | ||
| Widen existing curb cuts/ramps. Install new ones where needed. Ensure all curb cuts are ADA compliant | City | ||
| Add Big Belly trash cans to Carey St. | City | ||
| Develop and install signage for each of the neighborhoods along W. Baltimore St. | Profiles | Yes | |
| Install posters & banners to advertise/promote SWP projects | Profiles/ Committee |
Yes | |
| Explore temporary beautification of the One N. Carey St. building | Committee/ Property Owner |
||
| Install historical lighting where needed | City | ||
| Install a flag at the firehouse next to Primo | Committee/ Property Owner |
Yes | |
| Provide planters to houses along Carey St | Committee | Yes | |
| Touch up the Butterfly Mural | Committee/ Lots of Art |
Yes | |
| Install flags at the Lots of Art lots | Committee/ Profiles |
Yes | |
| Install more murals where possible | Committee | Yes | |
| Install permanent decorative boards on vacant homes. | Andrea from Union Square can do one test-pilot with plastic boards | Yes | |
| Charm City Circus | Organizeers (if funded) |
||
| Hold and publicize movies and other events | Committee/ Neighborhood Associations |
Yes | |
| Develop a small grants fund for community beaurtification projects | Committee | Yes | |
| Hold Carey St. festival including performances at sites along Carey St., greening activities, family activities, and water fun day activities, etc. | Committee | Yes | |
| Develop good neighbor agreements bet residents and businesses along Carey St. | Elizabeth will check with Ashley to see if the law school can send a representative to the next meeting |
Yes | |
| Support businesses in applying for and recieving BDC facade improvement grants | Committee | Yes | |
| Build low-voltage LED lighting into sidewalks | City | ||
| Distribute recycling bins to residents | Committee | Yes | |
| Rennovate all vacant lots along Carey St | Committee | Yes |
Announcements
Chesapeake Bay Trust awarded the SWP $25,000 from the grant proposal submitted by the SWVS committee for the installation of a rain garden in the parking lot of Southwest Baltimore Charter School. We need to notify Fusion of the award.
There will be a community clean-up organized by the Police Department, the Union Square Association, and the Safe, Vibrant, and Walkable Streets Committee on March 5th from 9 to 11am. The group will meet at Union Square Park and walk up to Fulton ave, then down Lemmon St, and then West Pratt street before returning to the park.
