A proposed road could plow through a gathering area where “The Hug” statue is located by Lake Kittamaqundi as part of the plan to redevelop downtown Columbia.
“Why take something that everyone loves and destroy that?” said Columbia Association Board Member Barbara Russell.
“I personally think that the road by ?The Hug? statue is a terrible idea. A lot of people feel that way.”
The new Wincopin Road would replace Wincopin Circle and be built on land ? owned by real estate trust General Growth Properties ? overlooking the lake where the statue is, and continue along the side of the lakefront?s grass amphitheater.
The street has been proposed to run parallel to Little Patuxent Parkway, according to the Lakefront Alternatives Design Study completed by the Howard County?s Department of Planning and Zoning.
General Growth Properties General Manager Doug Godine was not available for comment.
The Columbia Association?s new Planning and Strategy Committee plans to analyze the effects of Town Center development plan beginning this fall.
“The lake is one of the places in Columbia that most people identify as being the most beautiful place in Columbia. I don?t think it should be disturbed,” said Russell, who has requested that the board look into the ways redevelopment of Town Center will affect the lakefront.
Adding a road so close to the amphitheater would create noise problems during lakefront musical performances and gatherings at the lake, said Columbia Association Board Member Phil Kirsch.
“Putting a road through ?The Hug? statue isn?t going to do any good. It?s not going to provide traffic relief, it?s going to cause problems,” he said.
Blogger Evan Coren has suggested on his Web site, howardcountyblog.blogspot.com, that a pedestrian-only street be built.
Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning Director Marsha McLaughlin did not return phone calls.
AT A GLANCE
» The redevelopment of Columbia?s Town Center into an urban center could add up to 5,500 additional apartments and up to 6.5 million square feet of office space
Source: Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning?s Columbia Downtown Preliminary Draft Master Plan
