BALTIMORE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP Newsletter
Land Use and Transportation Issues Around the Region
April 20, 2002
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Contents:

*Four Vision 2030 Meetings Around Region This Coming Week
*Initial Agreement Reached on East Baltimore Bio-Tech Park
*Dundalk Plan Links Area to Baltimore and Waterfront
*Showcase Features Housing Growth in Columbia Town Center
*Calendar of Events

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FOUR VISION 2030 MEETINGS AROUND REGION THIS COMING WEEK

This coming week public meetings for the regional Vision 2030 process
come to four different local jurisdictions: Southeast Baltimore City on
Monday evening, Aberdeen on Tuesday, Annapolis on Wednesday, and
Cockeysville on Thursday.  At these meetings, all held 7:00-9:00 PM at
local schools, residents of the Baltimore region have an unprecedented
opportunity to offer their views on the future of our metropolitan area
over the coming three decades.  The region's local governments launched
Vision 2030 in 2001 to develop a framework for the future of the
Baltimore Region.  With additional support from the Baltimore Regional
Partnership, the Vision 2030 process includes 17 public meetings around
the region through May 8.  At the meetings people will have a chance to
offer ideas for the region's future, respond to four general paths the
region could take in terms of growth and transportation infrastructure,
and comment on values developed by stakeholders from around the region.

For more information on the public meetings and materials distributed
there, go to:
http://www.baltometro.org/vision2030pubmtg.html, or see the Calendar of
Events below.

Additional information on Vision 2030, including a general description
of the process and results of preliminary focus groups, available at:
http://www.baltometro.org/Vision2030.html.

Sun story on this past week's meeting in Columbia available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/howard/bal-ho.vision19apr19.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dhoward


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INITIAL AGREEMENT REACHED ON EAST BALTIMORE BIO-TECH PARK

After many months of difficult negotiations, a proposed biotech park in
East Baltimore has moved a step closer to achieving the ambitious goal
of revitalizing the neighborhood around the Johns Hopkins Hospital
campus.  On April 15, Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley and elected
officials from the area announced an agreement on the board of directors
for a new development corporation for the project, a relocation package
for current homeowners, and a plan for minority inclusion in the
multi-million dollar redevelopment project.  It is the hope of city
officials that the proposed park will revitalize the area and generate
thousands of jobs.  The plan calls for a combination of rehabilitation
and demolition of existing housing stock to make way for new and
renovated housing, and it may represent a breakthrough in the long,
tense relationship between struggling East Baltimore communities and
prominent, powerful Johns Hopkins next door. The next major hurdle in
the process is for City Council to approve amendments to five urban
renewal ordinances and to build the funding base to supplement the $20
million in state and federal funds targeted for the project. 

Sun stories with more information available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/bal-te.md.biopark15apr15.story and
http://www.sunspot.net/bal-te.md.biopark16apr16.story.
Mayor's press release on the project available at:
http://www.baltimorecity.gov/news/press/020415.html

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DUNDALK PLAN LINKS AREA TO BALTIMORE AND WATERFRONT

An ambitious revitalization plan for Dundalk has been released by the
Urban Design Assistance Team, calling for stronger infrastructure links
to Baltimore and a focus on the areas 43 miles of waterfront.  The
detailed plan resulted from several  public meetings, walking tours and
informal and formal discussions with residents and other community
groups over several weeks last fall.  The report emphasizes the need for
Dundalk to build on the resources it already possesses and to capitalize
on the development that is occurring along the East Baltimore
waterfront; in essence creating a "Digital Harbor East."  Redevelopment
along Broening Highway into a scenic harbor drive will connect the
waterfront communities and parks of Dundalk with each other and
Baltimore.  If Broening Highway is considered the economic lifeline of
Dundalk, the plan sees Dundalk Village Shopping Center and Dundalk
Avenue as the symbolic hearts of the Baltimore County community and
offers detailed recommendations for the revitalization of these historic
locations. 

For a more detailed explanation of the 48-page report visit
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.dundalk06apr06.story or go to
Baltimore County's website at
http://www.co.ba.md.us/p.cfm/news/040602_dundalkrevital.cfm

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SHOWCASE FEATURES HOUSING GROWTH IN COLUMBIA TOWN CENTER

On May 16, planners and others will have the opportunity to come
together to look at the future of "downtown" residential housing for the
nearly 40 year-old community of Columbia.  This "new" city was conceived
by the Rouse Company in the 1960s and is now considered nearing
completion.  The town has nearly 90,000 residents and an employment base
of 2,800 businesses with 65,000 employees.  Until the last few years,
however the Town Center anchored by Columbia Mall has not had an
essential ingredient of a true urban area -- "downtown" housing.  Many
planners and others consider housing to be a fundamental element that
ensure greater activity and a more dynamic pedestrian-oriented street
life.  While several new residential communities are now bringing more
residents to Columbia Town Center, the Maryland Chapter of the American
Planning Association and the Howard County Department of Planning and
Zoning invites the public to join planners, public officials and others
from around the state to learn more about those projects and more that
could be done to add new vitality to downtown Columbia. 

For more information, see our Calendar of Events below or email Chuck
Kines, Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning, at
ckines@co.ho.md.us.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 22
*Vision 2030 Public Meeting - Southeast Baltimore City.  7:00 - 9:00 PM,
Patterson High School, 100 Kane Street, Baltimore.  One of 17 public
meetings to help develop a framework for what our region should look
like in thirty years, including issues of growth, transportation,
economic development, and quality of life.  Sponsored by the Baltimore
Regional Transportation Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council,
with additional support from the Baltimore Regional Partnership.  For
more information, including a complete list of public meetings, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/Vision2030.html.

April 23
*Vision 2030 Public Meeting - Aberdeen.  7:00 - 9:00 PM, Aberdeen Middle
School, 111 Mount Royal Avenue, Aberdeen.  One of 17 public meetings to
help develop a framework for what our region should look like in thirty
years, including issues of growth, transportation, economic development,
and quality of life.  Sponsored by the Baltimore Regional Transportation
Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, with additional support
from the Baltimore Regional Partnership.  For more information,
including a complete list of public meetings, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/Vision2030.html.

April 24
*Vision 2030 Public Meeting - Annapolis.  7:00 - 9:00 PM, Annapolis High
School, 2700 Riva Road, Annapolis.  One of 17 public meetings to help
develop a framework for what our region should look like in thirty
years, including issues of growth, transportation, economic development,
and quality of life.  Sponsored by the Baltimore Regional Transportation
Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, with additional support
from the Baltimore Regional Partnership.  For more information,
including a complete list of public meetings, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/Vision2030.html.

April 25
*Vision 2030 Public Meeting - Cockeysville.  7:00 - 9:00 PM,
Cockeysville Middle School, 10401Greenside Dr., Cockeysville.  One of 17
public meetings to help develop a framework for what our region should
look like in thirty years, including issues of growth, transportation,
economic development, and quality of life.  Sponsored by the Baltimore
Regional Transportation Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council,
with additional support from the Baltimore Regional Partnership.  For
more information, including a complete list of public meetings, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/Vision2030.html.

April 29
*Vision 2030 Public Meeting - Eastern Baltimore County.  7:00 - 9:00 PM,
Kenwood High School, 501 Stemmers Run Road, Baltimore.  One of 17 public
meetings to help develop a framework for what our region should look
like in thirty years, including issues of growth, transportation,
economic development, and quality of life.  Sponsored by the Baltimore
Regional Transportation Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council,
with additional support from the Baltimore Regional Partnership.  For
more information, including a complete list of public meetings, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/Vision2030.html.

April 30
*Vision 2030 Public Meeting - Ft. Meade.  7:00 - 9:00 PM, Meade Middle
School, 1103 26th Street, Ft. Meade.  One of 17 public meetings to help
develop a framework for what our region should look like in thirty
years, including issues of growth, transportation, economic development,
and quality of life.  Sponsored by the Baltimore Regional Transportation
Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, with additional support
from the Baltimore Regional Partnership.  For more information,
including a complete list of public meetings, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/Vision2030.html.

*"Shaping the Region with New Urbanism" with Peter Calthorpe and Victor
Down Presented by New Urbanism News.  This 90-minute interactive audio
conference comes to you wherever you are - via the telephone. Learn how
effect strategic change by redirecting regional growth.  For more
information see
http://www.newurbannews.com/Audio.html or
http://www.newurbannews.com 

May 1
*Vision 2030 Public Meeting - Sykesville. 7:00 - 9:00 PM, Sykesville
Middle School, 7301 Springfield Avenue, Sykesville.  One of 17 public
meetings to help develop a framework for what our region should look
like in thirty years, including issues of growth, transportation,
economic development, and quality of life.  Sponsored by the Baltimore
Regional Transportation Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council,
with additional support from the Baltimore Regional Partnership.  For
more information, including a complete list of public meetings, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/Vision2030.html.
 
May 2
*Vision 2030 Public Meeting - Ellicott City.  7:00 - 9:00 PM, Ellicott
Mills Middle School, 4445 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City.  One of 17
public meetings to help develop a framework for what our region should
look like in thirty years, including issues of growth, transportation,
economic development, and quality of life.  Sponsored by the Baltimore
Regional Transportation Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council,
with additional support from the Baltimore Regional Partnership.  For
more information, including a complete list of public meetings, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/Vision2030.html.

May 3
*Bike to Work Day.  Join colleagues to celebrate Bike to Work Day at one
of three rally sites:  the State Office Complex at 301 West Preston
Street in Baltimore, the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Baltimore and in
Annapolis and Washington, DC.  The Baltimore and Annapolis rallies begin
at 7:30 AM and conclude at 8:30 AM and will feature refreshments, prizes
and t-shirts.   For information :410.631.3223 (Baltimore), 410.263.7964 
x 109 (Annapolis) or 202.962.3383 (Washington)

May 3 & May 4
*Annual Preservation and Revitalization Conference 2002. The annual two
day conference is sponsored by Preservation Maryland and will be held in
the Historic Mount Vernon Cultural District. The keynote speaker is
Stanley Lowe, vice president for Community Revitalization of the
National Trust for Historic Preservation. For further information, go to
http://www.preservemd.org/conf.html.

May 3 - May 5
*5th National Academic Symposium on New Urbanism,  National Center for
Smart Growth Research and Education, University of Maryland.  This
symposium features presentation from experts on New Urbanism and Smart
Growth , and related topics such as transportation, environment, public
health, public policy and social equity.  For more information go to
http://www.smartgrowth.umd.edu

May 6
*Vision 2030 Public Meeting - Northwest Baltimore City. 7:00 - 9:00 PM,
Western High School, 4600 Falls Road, Baltimore.  One of 17 public
meetings to help develop a framework for what our region should look
like in thirty years, including issues of growth, transportation,
economic development, and quality of life.  Sponsored by the Baltimore
Regional Transportation Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council,
with additional support from the Baltimore Regional Partnership.  For
more information, including a complete list of public meetings, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/Vision2030.html.

May 7
*Vision 2030 Public Meeting - Southwest Baltimore City.  7:00 - 9:00 PM,
Cardinal Gibbons School, 3225 Wilkens Avenue, Baltimore.  One of 17
public meetings to help develop a framework for what our region should
look like in thirty years, including issues of growth, transportation,
economic development, and quality of life.  Sponsored by the Baltimore
Regional Transportation Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council,
with additional support from the Baltimore Regional Partnership.  For
more information, including a complete list of public meetings, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/Vision2030.html.

May 8
*Vision 2030 Public Meeting - Western Baltimore County. 7:00 - 9:00 PM,
Southwest Academy, 6200 Johnnycake Road, Baltimore.  Final public
meeting to help develop a framework for what our region should look like
in thirty years, including issues of growth, transportation, economic
development, and quality of life.  Sponsored by the Baltimore Regional
Transportation Board and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, with
additional support from the Baltimore Regional Partnership.  For more
information, including a complete list of public meetings, go to
http://www.baltometro.org/Vision2030.html.

May 16
Columbia Town Center Planner Showcase.  3:00 - 6:00 PM,  Howard County
Chamber of Commerce, 5560 Sterrett Place, Suite 105.  Walking tour and
optional dinner available after presentation.  RSVP by May 9th to Chuck
Kines, Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning,
410.313.4383 or ckines@co.ho.md.us.

May 18
Ride the Rural Legacy IV.  Tour Baltimore County's Piney Run region and
show support for keeping some of Maryland's most scenic and picturesque
countryside as it is now - perfect for bicycling.  All Riders Must Wear
Helmets.  All routes start and end at Pleasant Grove United Methodist
Church, 15311 Dover Road.  Registration from 7:30 - 9:00 AM  Cost is
$20.00. Call the Valleys Planning Council at
410.337.6877 with questions or to pre-register for this event.  Visit
their website at
http://www.thevpc.org

June 6
*Rally for the Region.  6:00 PM, Baltimore Convention Center.  Follow-up
on the 1,100 Rally in October 2000 that championed improved transit
service, community conservation, and drug treatment.  Gathering of
concerned citizens from throughout the region to address issues central
to the well-being of the Baltimore region.  For more information, go to:
http://www.CPHARallyForTheRegion.org

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ABOUT THE BALTIMORE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP AND NEWSLETTER

The Baltimore Regional Partnership is an alliance of five civic,
environmental, and anti-sprawl groups:1000 Friends of Maryland
(www.friendsofmd.org), Baltimore Urban League (www.bul.org), Chesapeake
Bay Foundation ( www.savethebay.cbf.org), Citizens Planning and Housing
Association (www.CPHARallyForTheRegion.org), and Environmental Defense
(www.environmentaldefense.org).


This newsletter explores current issues, recent and upcoming events, and
ongoing deliberations that affect the region's quality of life through
transportation, economic development, and land use policy and planning. 
We hope to link citizens in the region who are working to fight sprawl,
promote clean and efficient transportation, protect valuable farm and
forest lands, and revitalize urban areas, older suburbs, and historic
towns. You can view past issues at
http://www.balto-region-partners.org/news.htm.

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Send us information, too. Let us know about your work on land use and
transportation decisions that are affecting the Baltimore region. Email
information to Steve Beck at steve@balto-region-partners.org.  Visit the
Baltimore Regional Partnership website at
http://www.balto-region-partners.org.