The grand gateway between Towson University and its community consists of a concrete staircase and an emergency blue-light phone.
Elevated planters on sidewalks are spills waiting to happen and teetering poles surrounding the York Road traffic circle are evidenceof other close calls.
“You do see people walking in Towson, but when they do, they don?t look happy,” said Stuart Sirota, an urban planner. “People are taking their lives into their hands.”
An expert team of architects, landscapers and engineers including Sirota think they can do better. Next week, they?ll launch an intensive six-day brainstorm session to compile a list of projects to make walking in Baltimore County?s government seat safe and pleasant. They?ll invite the public to participate in interactive design sessions ? called a “charette” ? to write a “walkability” plan.
Suggestions during a similar process a year ago included converting some one-way streets into two-way to slow traffic and increase on-street parking. Consultants also suggested opening the county?s courthouse gardens with a cobblestone entry, adding homes to the second level of the former Hutzler?s building and filling in the “canyon” between the York Road traffic circle and the Bahama Breeze restaurant with a park.
County officials emphasized the plan will be law-binding as opposed to “just another study.”
“A lot of times during these processes, you come up with a fairy tale that?s just not doable either because of the expense or the environment,” County Executive Jim Smith said. “I don?t think that?s the case with Towson.”
“Walkability” improvements are just part of $400 million in public and private investments under way in Towson, officials said. Major projects include a 900-unit condominium and apartment complex at Dulaney Valley Road and Fairmont Avenue, the expansion of Towson Town Center mall, a new movie theater and the renovation of the Towson Commons complex.
IF YOU GO…
June 4: Opening presentation at Trinity Episcopal Church, 120 Allegheny Ave., 7 p.m.
June 5: Pin-up session at Calvary Baptist Church, 120 West Pennsylvania Ave., 7 p.m.
June 6: Pin-up session at Trinity Episcopal Church, 120 Allegheny Ave., 7 p.m.
June 9: Final presentation, recommendations at Trinity Episcopal Church, 120 Allegheny Ave., 2 p.m.
