BALTIMORE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP Newsletter
Land Use and Transportation Issues Around the Region
April 29, 2002
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Contents:

*Vision 2030 Meetings in Four New Places This Wk.
*Leaders Plan for June 6 Rally for the Region
*Baltimore Neighborhoods Marketed to DC Workers
*East Baltimore Renewal Bills Ready for City Council
*Demographic Shifts Affect City, Inner Suburbs
*Pagoda Reopening Lifts Patterson Park's Profile
*Union Bridge Launches Main Street Revitalization
*Calendar of Events

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VISION 2030 MEETINGS IN FOUR NEW PLACES THIS WEEK

This coming week public meetings for the regional Vision 2030 process
again come to four different local jurisdictions: Essex in Baltimore
County on Monday evening, Fort Meade in Anne Arundel County on Tuesday,
Sykesville in Carroll County on Wednesday, and Ellicott City in Howard
County 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.

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LEADERS PLAN FOR JUNE 6 RALLY FOR THE REGION

Led by the Citizens Planning and Housing Association, about 80 citizen
leaders from around the Baltimore region met in a Towson church on April
13 to ratify an agenda for a much larger meeting at the Baltimore
Convention Center on June 6.  Known as the Rally for the Region, the
June event seeks to bring together 2002 people to show local elected
officials the support behind addressing regional issues like
revitalizing older communities, "live near your work" for government and
service workers, improving the area's transit service, drug treatment,
and stopping sprawl development.

City Paper article, including comments from 1000 Friends of Maryland and
others, available at:
http://citypaper.com/2002-04-17/mobs.html
More information available at:
http://www.RallyForTheRegion.org 

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BALTIMORE NEIGHBORHOODS MARKETED TO DC WORKERS

With DC housing prices rising rapidly with its region's growth
pressures, the Live Baltimore Marketing Center has received an $80,000
grant from the local Goldseker Foundation to pitch more affordable
Baltimore neighborhoods to Washington-area workers looking for a bargain
and urban living.  The campaign highlights housing in several
neighborhoods close to Penn Station and the MARC commuter rail service
to DC.  Some Washington workers who have made their home in Baltimore
have later found work here, too.

For more information, look under "Special Events" on the Live Baltimore
web site:
http://www.livebaltimore.com/
Supportive Sun editorial available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/news/opinion/bal-ed.promote29apr29.story?coll=bal%2Dopinion%2Dheadlines

April 25 Sun story available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.move25apr25.story

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EAST BALTIMORE RENEWAL BILLS READY FOR CITY COUNCIL

Following a series of required public meetings with affected property
owners, legislation designed to clear the way for large-scale
redevelopment and rehabilitation in East Baltimore is set to be
introduced tonight in the Baltimore City Council.  The ordinance lists
the more than 3,300 properties involved in the proposed transformation
of the troubled and largely abandoned neighborhood north of Johns
Hopkins Hospital into a biotechnology park and revitalized, mixed-income
community.  Involving both significant demolition and rehabilitation,
the plan could take more than 10 years to implement in full. 
Introduction of the ordinances follows a carefully negotiated agreement
between Baltimore City and local political leaders for relocation
assistance for those still living in the area and minority contracting
for the project.

April 23 Sun story available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/bal-te.md.biopark23apr23.story
April 25 Sun story on one of the public meetings for the legislation
available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.biopark25apr25.story
Mayor O'Malley's April 15 press release available at:
http://www.baltimorecity.gov/news/press/020415.html

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DEMOGRAPHIC SHIFTS AFFECT CITY, INNER SUBURBS

According to newly released census figures looking at changes since the
decennial count in 2000, Baltimore City continues to lose population to
the suburbs in the Baltimore region, and a recent Baltimore Sun profile
of Pikesville Middle School shows how some inner-ring suburbs are
contending with demographic shifts as well.  Increasingly, middle class
African American families are following their white counterparts in
moving to higher-performing schools in the suburbs.  Pikesville Middle
School has maintained high performance as it has become increasingly
racially diverse, but some fear that the slightest faltering in test
scores could lead to flight of more affluent white families further out,
potentially destabilizing the economic base of the school district.

April 29 Sun story on latest census figures available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-te.md.census29apr29.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dheadlines

April 28 Sun story on Pikesville Middle School available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/bal-te.md.pikesville28apr28.story

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PAGODA OPENING LIFTS PATTERSON PARK'S PROFILE

100 saxaphonists, Mayor O'Malley, civic leaders, and well-wishers from
all over gathered around the newly-refurbished pagoda in Patterson Park
on April 27 to celebrate the century-old landmark's return.  Taking a
decade and costing $500,000, the renovation brings a new symbol of
renewal to a neighborhood and urban park that have shown resilience and
an artistic kookiness that are putting it on the regional map in
Baltimore.

Sun stories available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.pagoda28apr28.story and
http://www.sunspot.net/features/bal-li.pagoda25apr25.story
For more information on the Friends of Patterson Park, go to:
http://www.pattersonpark.com/

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UNION BRIDGE LAUNCHES MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION

With a new $220,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and
Community Development, the Carroll County town of Union Bridge is set to
begin a $2.5 million revitalization of its Main Street area beginning in
August and lasting about a year and a half.  Using $400,000 of the
town's own money and funds from the State Highway Administration as
well, the town plans to improve its sidewalks, add Victorian-style
street lamps, and add a town square center of activity.

April 29 Sun story available at:
http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/carroll/bal-ca.union28apr28.story?coll=bal%2Dlocal%2Dcarroll


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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 29
*Vision 2030 Public Meeting - Essex.  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.

Has this newsletter been forwarded to you, and you would like to receive
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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.