Project Updates
Small Neighborhood Grants/November meeting: applications are due November 5th. Usual Committee meeting is scheduled for Thanksgiving, will reschedule the November/December meeting and have a separate meeting to score the Small Neighborhood Grant applications.
Board did not vote on the Red Line motion from the Committee at the last month, wanted to get the presentation on the Red Line from the Baltimore Transit Equity Coalition as well as needed some more information. Will follow up with the presenters on getting all the information for the neighborhood associations so they can have all the information they need to support the motion. Concerns had been raised about the route and the impact on community foundations–BTEC is reviewing those concerns. Ms Dotie would like to see a rendering of where the Red Line is planned to run. Scott isn’t sure if BTEC has that information. Minister Smith–they (BTEC) are privy to a lot of information about the route and the impact on the foundations and are able to compile the information to respond to the questions. The Committee discussed community concerns about the route of the Red Line as well as the history of the route that was selected. David has questions about how the proposed regional transportation authority will be structured–is it financially viable and where will the decision making authority be? Goal is to take the decision making away from the governer/state level–it is more decisional than financial.
Bike Subcommittee: Bikemore bike leaders breakfast will be Friday November at Hollins Market. Bif–Pigtown Mainstreet is working on a bike trail in Pigtown, not sure how it happened. David is working on a concept for a Cyclovia or open streets event on Hollins St. Cyclovia is a day that only bicycling is allowed on certain streets. Open streets is about opening up streets to more than cars. Concept would be a super block type event–would have a set of contiguous blocks that would be seen as one unit where movement in the block is restricted to pedestrians and cyclists, David id’d the blocks between Gilmor Lombard Carey and Lexington,. Could have a number of activities and events going on at the various locations of the super block.
Ivan raised the issue of the cost of closing streets. Diana suggested a bicycle run before the 5k.
Subcommittee updates: Ms Paulette has been working on traffic lights for Poppleton Fayette Streets–is working with Mayor’s Office and Councilman Bullock.
Diana has been in contact with the B&O Railroad Museum–they haven’t gotten back yet about straightening the posts and painting them white. Diana has also reached out to Thomas and JR–hasn’t heard back from them yet either.
Scott–progress being made on sprucing up the front of the Lord Baltimore Theater and leveling the side lot and fencing it. There’s more painting and sprucing up of the front–could be part of the Sowebo festival when it comes back.
Ms Paulette –Dan Blythewood would like to build a new recreation center for the community at the location of the current Poppleton Recreation Center.
Edith–Franklin Square still reaching out to the City–waiting for a response.
Other subcommittee projects are coming along–artists and trees.
Committee Elections
Ms Edith nominated Donnell who accepted. Donnell intends to lead as best he can this year, and gave the Committee all the thanks and kudos and praises. Donnell was unanimously re-elected Chair of the Committee. The meeting was adjourned.
