W Baltimore St Updates
Concluded streetscaping charrette in July when students from UM College Park showcased their suggestions from the corridor. Goal of the charrette was to develop the input of the community, have also been working with the business owners for their input on streetscaping design.
Part of the program requirements for a Baltimore City Main Street which the SWP has applied to be is to have an advisory committee which will be forming in early 2022.
The advisory board will be set up with a commercial committee representative, a public safety committee representative, a vibrant streets representative, and a representative at large. Curtis is asking the Committee to appoint a representative for the W Baltimore St advisory board.
Still working on fundraising for the budget, leaving the final design of the plan for the advisory board for them to work on the planning for the W Baltimore St corridor.
Donnell still waiting a little more information on what the logistics will be for the advisory board position–if anyone is interested in being that position please let Donnell know. If multiple people are interested we will likely take a vote.
Diana asked why 100% of the business owners aren’t on board–not that they aren’t on board with the main street, they just haven’t participated in the planning for the charrette. Everyone is in favor of the main street program, they just haven’t participated in the streetscaping as yet.
Red Line Update
Ms Sonia, Donnell, and some Poppleton Now! Representatives met with the Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition, however residents still have some questions which remain unanswered. There are still concerns about the route of the Red Line running under Fremont St–residents still concerned about trains being that close to their homes. It was proposed that a consideration of change will be submitted to the state to run the trains down the center of MLK. Meanwhile residents in Poppleton are putting together a petition.
Any committee member who is interested in attending is welcome to join the calls.
Bike Sub-Committee Update
Been approached by the Women’s Home Preservation project to look into a vision of what bike infrastructure around the 1401-1403 development could look like.
David shared a presentation on open streets concepts that could increase biking and safer uses of the streets for all modes of transportation.
Asked the Committee for their interest in doing similar events and what they would want to see as the goals of any event that was organized.
Diana asked about ways to teach motorists to respect bikes on the streets. This could definitely be a goal of the event and something that the subcommittee could work on.
Curtis shared Mixolo’s information–they do bike tours of different neighborhoods (https://mixolo.io)
Ms Dotie asked about the location of the event so it wouldn’t be convenient for a lot of residents. Definitely something to think about, but these events are also about giving people an example of different ways of doing things.
Raquel–what blocks are you looking at? Still exploring but David offered some examples of some potential routes/super blocks or events.
Dotie–liked having people go through the different squares and parks. The Committee generally agreed. Howard liked the idea of having a biking thing in each neighborhood that people could drop in to. David would love to explore that.
Laura likes the idea of having it with the Sowebo 5K.
Committee discussed the impact of shutting down W Baltimore St on the businesses along the street.
David’s presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1FGE9AGOHASi3EzOdcaq4kZPomzqUnSHFKV-D0Sdklwk/edit?usp=sharing
Sub-Committee Updates
Signs: Doesn’t really have an update
Comfort Station: slowly moving
Dotie–has been doing 311 reports
Public Art–still working on doing an artist directory
Poppleton and Fayette St–looking promising for traffic calming
Goals for 2022
Have made lots of progress towards goals for 2021–
Tree trimming
Tree planting
sidewalk/street repair
Lighting–Carey St Bridge
Wayfinding Signs
Public Art
Franklin Square Comfort Station
Bike infrastructure
Are there any other goals that we want to add for next year other than the W Baltimore St SubCommittee
Ms Dotie would like to concentrate on Franklin Square and Union Square Parks
Ms Paulette needs help reporting vandalism in the neighborhood
Committee will not be meeting in December. Will definitely have neighborhood grants in the spring
