May 4, 1999

George Balog, Director
Baltimore City Department of Public Works
200 N. Holliday Street -- Abel Wolman Building
Baltimore, MD 21201

Dear Mr. Balog:

We are writing to express our support for and recommendations regarding the Westside Intermodal Corridor Study. We hope that this study will present significant recommendations for facilitating transportation on the west side of Baltimore City. We should also note, however, that it is important to consider the regional implications of transportation to and from Baltimore City’s western suburbs. Preserving Baltimore neighborhoods, improving job access, and maintaining road, pedestrian, and bicyclist safety are all issues that can only addressed by the city and county working together.

At the community presentations made thus far on the study, part of the problem to be addressed by the study has been framed in terms of facilitating movement towards the Social Security Administration, Health Care Financing Administration, and Security Mall. Further, the study seeks to address important safety issues caused by traffic moving to and from Baltimore County. Thus, it is important the study boundaries not be ended arbitrarily at the city line. Moreover, considering the regional nature of the problem, to specifically include Baltimore County promotes the planning goals under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) and its successor law. We urge the Department of Public Works to engage the Baltimore County Departments of Planning and Public Works in the study process.

We also recommend that the study area be extended slightly northward to include the Mondawmin Transit Center. The current boundary line abuts the Mondawmin Transit Center, but the station is not directly included in the study area. In April, the Citizens Planning and Housing Association, Mass Transit Administration, and Department of Planning sponsored a workshop to discuss possible improvements to the Mondawmin Transit Center. Although the property is owned by MTA, it was learned at the workshop that many issues that residents would like addressed at or near the station, are under the purview of the Department of Public Works. For example, signalization, crosswalk striping and other pedestrian access measures all require the cooperation and implementation of your agency. We believe that this study is an excellent opportunity to support joint improvements to the Mondawmin Transit Center.

Finally, although it is a rather minor issue, we urge the Department to consider a different name for the Westside Intermodal Corridor Study. In light of the recent discussions by the Baltimore Development Corporation and Weinberg Foundation for the "Westside Redevelopment Plan," we have found confusion among some residents as to the geographic emphasis of this study. Changing the name of the study to better reflect the neighborhoods and areas involved might lessen the confusion and enhance public participation.

We appreciate the efforts made by the Department in undertaking this study and in holding numerous public outreach meetings. We look forward to working with the Department as this process continues forward. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Jamie Kendrick, CPHA Transportation Program Coordinator, at (410)539-1369

Sincerely,

Ralph E. Moore, Jr.
Co- Chairman
CPHA Transportation Committee

Alfred W. Barry, III
Chairman
CPHA Committee on the Region

Chris Ryer
Co- Chairman
CPHA Transportation Committee

cc: Charles Graves, Baltimore City Dept. of Planning
Craig Forrest, Baltimore County Dept. of Public Works
Pat Keller, Baltimore County Dept. of Planning
Harvey Bloom, Transportation Planning Director, Baltimore Metropolitan Council