The proposed new Merriweather neighborhood will be dominated by a revitalized Merriweather Post Pavilion, which will become part of a cultural center for downtown Columbia.
The neighborhood, to be located toward the south of Town Center, is going to bring a “strengthened tradition in a new kind of cultural park,” said Greg Hamm, regional vice president of General Growth Properties Inc. and manager of Columbia.
GGP, in its proposed 20- to 30-year master plan, is calling for the creation of five distinct, yet connected, neighborhoods of Merriweather, Warfield, Lakefront, Crescent and Symphony Overlook.
“We really feel that Merriweather is a real treasure and should continue as a performance venue,” said Coleen West, executive director of the Howard County Arts Council.
“And it would be great for it to be surrounded by an arts venue. Residents have been asking for a more vibrant cultural community for a long time.”
GGP has proposed giving Merriweather Post Pavilion such features as:
- New amphitheater seating.
- New roof.
- New stage.
Tree plantings at the perimeter.
“Right now, there’s a lot of positive ideas and intents, and it’s a great start,” said Seth Hurwitz, chairman of Bethesda-based IMP Productions, which operates and programs Merriweather Post Pavilion.
“But following through is the most important part. The challenge at Merriweather is going to be to preserve and update it.”
The pavilion will be strengthened by nearby performing arts spaces, GGP officials said. Goals include making the neighborhood an attractive area for artists and supporting the development of an umbrella arts organization.
Also in the arts district would be a new library and visitor center with historical and interactive elements.
“If more arts activity groups could be located here, it’ll raise the awareness of all of them,” said West.
The neighborhood will have a cultural center landscape and central park with public art, like a sculpture park and garden. Because connecting the five neighborhoods is vital, Merriweather will be accessible by pathways from Symphony Woods, which then leads to The Mall in Columbia.
“We’re envisioning a cultural program to serve Merriweather and to restore Symphony Woods,” said Hamm.
“They go hand in hand.”
The Columbia Association board approved a motion Thursday that gave some guidelines in hopes that GGP staff would collaborate with it, said Michael Cornell, vice chairman from River Hill village.
“We’re looking to maintain a natural setting and have Merriweather and Symphony Woods a place of destination, and look to limit the number and size of roads to maintain a park-like setting,” he said.
“We want to move forward in a positive way, so we’re working toward something.”
Editor’s note: This is the second installment in The Examiner’s series profiling the five proposed neighborhoods in the master plan for the redevelopment of downtown Columbia. Next Sunday, the Symphony Overlook neighborhood will be featured.
