Towson Development News

[Northern]

Wanted to take a few shots of new construction in Towson, but that did not work out today. Instead enjoy these sunset pics (the sun, not the buidlings.. ):

[StevenW]

Nice. Thank you.

[gohorns]

thanks! finally some pictures...

i guess i'm spoilt but i couldn't see what all the things mentioned in this thread meant unless i saw some actual pictures/renders

[Northern]

As promised:

[scando]

This thread is called "Towson's Transformation...", but what bothers me is that, while there's a lot of building going on, there really is not really a transformation. A walk-around will reveal new residences and a new academic building at TU, residential construction at Dulaney Valley Rd and Goucher, new residences at York and Lambourne and whatever is going in on the old Lawyer's Row (Courtland Rd). Unfortunately, what we DON'T see is anything that indicates that the county is thinking about some overall plan, such as improvements in the pedestrian environment, a circulator bus, any sort of architectural review or even some suggestions as to what might be built.

At the same time, Towson Circle II remains as a parking lot, the Investment Building is a toxic blight and the Towson Commons block remains in limbo, presenting empty restaurant fronts on York Road. Why doesn't anybody in the county (either citizens or government) seem to pay any attention to this? I just don't get it. Towson can be a really vibrant, small city with a few enhancements, the county has lots of money to spend, but only chaos seems to prevail.

[scando]

Speaking of transformation - Towson has hit the lead page on cnn.com (Travel section), in regard to the rehab of the Hampton Plantation -

"Hampton Mansion awaits rediscovery

TOWSON, Maryland (AP) -- Hampton Mansion has plenty of historical and architectural significance. All it needs is a higher profile.

Hampton Mansion was the largest private home in the U.S. when it was completed in 1790.

The mansion, maintained by the National Park Service, is considered one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the country. It's one of just a handful of plantation homes with extant slave quarters. With 25,000 square feet of living space, it was the largest private home in the U.S. when it was completed in 1790.

Hampton sits on 63 acres just outside the Baltimore Beltway, less than a mile from the heart of Towson, a bustling suburb directly north of the city. And yet many area residents don't know the first thing about it....." and so on.

[Jkosmides]

Being a Graduate of Towson (high that is...) and seeing plenty of pictures of the street cars(8 going up and down york). I think that transportation, walking, parking, transit, etc needs to get figured out. If there can be someway to easily connect rodgers forge/belvedere square area to Goucer college/695(an actual parking garage for visitors) by like a streetcar/trolly, something that is quick, safe, and easy(okay, and free too). Along with that a little streetscaping and street realiment like reducing york to 2 lanes and the present development and Existing population of families and college age spenders, whoa. I think you could create a beautiful town that can accomadate college students, families, shoppers. etc. Best example that comes to mind is Church Street in burlington Vermont.

[jamie_hunt]

Church Street is nice, but it's one of the few places in the nation (Boulder, Co. would be another) where pedestrian malls have worked. Last June's charrette had some interesting ideas, though.

[scando]

Originally Posted by Jkosmides

Being a Graduate of Towson (high that is...) and seeing plenty of pictures of the street cars(8 going up and down york). I think that transportation, walking, parking, transit, etc needs to get figured out. If there can be someway to easily connect rodgers forge/belvedere square area to Goucer college/695(an actual parking garage for visitors) by like a streetcar/trolly, something that is quick, safe, and easy(okay, and free too). Along with that a little streetscaping and street realiment like reducing york to 2 lanes and the present development and Existing population of families and college age spenders, whoa. I think you could create a beautiful town that can accomadate college students, families, shoppers. etc. Best example that comes to mind is Church Street in burlington Vermont.

If you and I can think of ideas like this, what's holding back the county government and the business community of Towson? In regard to York Road, several years ago the County said that it was discussing with SHA a swap where the county would give SHA Towsontown Blvd in return for several blocks of York Road. The State could enhance traffic flow around downtown while the county restricted traffic for a few blocks on York Rd so there could be better walkways and more street parking. That's been several years ago though and nothing has come of it. I have a whole laundry list of ideas for Towson (one of those "don't get me started" sort of things) and I'm not even a planner. You'd think the guys in charge could make something move on this.

[jamie_hunt]

Originally Posted by scando

... You'd think the guys in charge could make something move on this.

First, everyone (or most everyone) has to agree on what should be done. Hence the "Walkable Towson" charrette last June.

It'd be nice if bureaucracies were more agile, but they move at their own pace.

[scando]

Originally Posted by jamie_hunt

First, everyone (or most everyone) has to agree on what should be done. Hence the "Walkable Towson" charrette last June.

It'd be nice if bureaucracies were more agile, but they move at their own pace.

As a bureaucrat myself, I know that but I wish their pace were faster and that's why I don't really want to "get started". My general impression of charrettes is that they are a way of inserting time into a project. Generally the planners nod politely, have a couple of laptops (one for notes, the other for the power point slides) and after a bunch of meetings they do what they were originally going to do anyway (I've been on the other side of some charrettes) and point to it as "community involvement".

I'm not as cynical as that might sound, but I do get burrs in my breeches about some of these meetings because most of the public input usually isn't very well informed and consists of suggestions like "make Towson better" or "eliminate traffic problems" and such. I think these things could happen faster if the planners would plan, post their plans somewhere for quick public comment and then do what they usually do with such input. There's already so much review from budget people, coucil persons and media, etc, (and never do all of them agree) that it seems impossible to move things like this along.

[jamie_hunt]

Originally Posted by scando

... I'm not as cynical as that might sound, but I do get burrs in my breeches about some of these meetings because most of the public input usually isn't very well informed and consists of suggestions like "make Towson better" or "eliminate traffic problems" and such. I think these things could happen faster if the planners would plan, post their plans somewhere for quick public comment and then do what they usually do with such input. There's already so much review from budget people, coucil persons and media, etc, (and never do all of them agree) that it seems impossible to move things like this along.

Yeah, that is frustrating. Wasn't able to attend the charrette but—iterating from the report—it seems like a number of people suggested something along the lines of, "more green space for downtown Towson." Voila, some planner comped up a park on the SW corner of York and Pennsylvania, opposite the main entrance to Towson Commons, framed by traditional, four-story, hipped roof buildings. Can't get much more pedestrian-friendly than that: a place to pause after huffing up York from Towson U. Of course, it'll require buying and relocating an existing retailer, etc., which turns the discussion to the practical matter of getting it done ... if there's enough interest in doing it.

[Jkosmides]

See thats the thing, those planners are changing the entire layout of those crazy 4/5 lane highways through towson and require 6 adgencies together to move in the right direction. But I think there needs to be a strong Towson Community Forum from the residents(like TRAC - The transit ridershit community for the greater baltimore area that puts massive pressure on MTA) that spans not only designers getting together to throw out some ideas but constant pressure. Im going to keep up to date with any community hearings about towson and attend. We have to question and put some pressure because towson has an ability to become the Bethesda/Rockville of Baltimore(the rich northern cousin who has great sushi and a couple nice parks).

[Jkosmides]

and taking a closer look at that design... SOOO important to get from the circle north (along the parking lot and drop down for trader joes) with some street level retail. and the park across from the commons, better enterance for the library... yes yes. How bout we fill some vacancies first guys. Borders left what 2 years ago?

[PeterSmith]

Originally Posted by jamie_hunt

Voila, some planner comped up a park on the SW corner of York and Pennsylvania, opposite the main entrance to Towson Commons, framed by traditional, four-story, hipped roof buildings.

That's actually not a bad plan. The Hudson Trails building, which stands on the current site of this proposed green space, has always looked out of plan, with its parking lot out in front right on York Rd. The good news is that I think Hudson Trails is the only retailer that would have to be relocated. The bad news is that I think they require one of the largest footprints along York Rd. and I think they do very good business at their current spot.

I guess there just isn't a lot of demand to live in downtown Towson, but at least there are a number of surface lots that can be filled up if/when that demand ever comes.

[jamie_hunt]

Originally Posted by PeterSmith

That's actually not a bad plan. The Hudson Trails building, which stands on the current site of this proposed green space, has always looked out of plan, with its parking lot out in front right on York Rd. The good news is that I think Hudson Trails is the only retailer that would have to be relocated. The bad news is that I think they require one of the largest footprints along York Rd. and I think they do very good business at their current spot. ...

Yeah, I like the plan. It reminds me of a "green" version of Market Square at the foot of Broadway in Fells Point. Looks like there'd be room to relo Hudson to a new building along what would become the square before demo-ing their existing building to create the square. Dartmouth College did this with a couple retailers (a hardware store and pizza restaurant) when it redeveloped South Street in Hanover, NH which features neo-traditional architecture over underground parking.

[scando]

Originally Posted by jamie_hunt

Yeah, I like the plan. It reminds me of a "green" version of Market Square at the foot of Broadway in Fells Point. Looks like there'd be room to relo Hudson to a new building along what would become the square before demo-ing their existing building to create the square. Dartmouth College did this with a couple retailers (a hardware store and pizza restaurant) when it redeveloped South Street in Hanover, NH which features neo-traditional architecture over underground parking.

I thought it was desirable to have retail on the streets around Towson. The space where HTO is located is pretty small, park wise, surrounded by not-so-great buildings that are fairly nasty in the back (where most of the park would be). It would be similar to the "little park" west of Dulaney Valley Rd on the roundabout, which is mainly a congregation point for vagrants. I would much rather see York Rd as a concentration of dense local businesses. They should extend south to the block south of the library so that the area would connect more smoothly to TU. If the architects really want a challenge, try to think of someway to dress up the library so it doesn't look like a hurricane shelter

[jamie_hunt]

Originally Posted by scando

I thought it was desirable to have retail on the streets around Towson. The space where HTO is located is pretty small, park wise, surrounded by not-so-great buildings that are fairly nasty in the back (where most of the park would be). ...

Yeah. Looking at the plan again, it shows new 3-4 story traditional, gabled buildings with first floor retail and apartments above facing the Pennsylvania avenue park--thus eliminating the view of the backs of York Road buildings. A similar project is working well in Hanover, NH (where Dartmouth College is located). If you have active uses facing the park (which the Dulaney Road one doesn't) there's less an issue with vagrants. Maybe. Also depends on how the park is designed and programmed. Could end up being mostly brick with lots of room for outdoor cafes, & for a relocated Hudson Trail to put merch outside, etc. But, York Road does need these kinds of spaces, which can offer even more room for retail than just having frontage on York Road.

As far as improving the Library and connections to TU, couldn't agree more.

[scando]

Originally Posted by jamie_hunt

Yeah. Looking at the plan again, it shows new 3-4 story traditional, gabled buildings with first floor retail and apartments above facing the Pennsylvania avenue park--thus eliminating the view of the backs of York Road buildings. A similar project is working well in Hanover, NH (where Dartmouth College is located). If you have active uses facing the park (which the Dulaney Road one doesn't) there's less an issue with vagrants. Maybe. Also depends on how the park is designed and programmed. Could end up being mostly brick with lots of room for outdoor cafes, & for a relocated Hudson Trail to put merch outside, etc. But, York Road does need these kinds of spaces, which can offer even more room for retail than just having frontage on York Road.

As far as improving the Library and connections to TU, couldn't agree more.

The plans are nice, but what I don't see is any desire on the part of the county, to really DO anything. Once a decade you hear about a plan, but nothing seems to push anything forward. When you consider how many years is has been since the Towson Circle II was proposed (behind the current TC) and how those are still parking lots, you get the idea. The park idea would require moving HTO and I don't expect to see the county doing an eminent domain. Since the other buildings on that side of the block are currently occupied, you have to wonder who would build the gabled buildings and where those businesses would go. I just get frustrated with all the inertia. It's been years since Towson Commons announced upcoming changes and nothing has happened, years since Towson Circle was announced and also nothing. Meanwhile other businesses on York Rd seem so be barely hanging on and it just doesn't have to be that way. The county government doesn't seem to be pushing anything, doesn't seem to be moving on the reconfiguration of traffic and taming of York Rd and the businesses that own the buildings, don't seem to be doing anything either. Grump Grump Grump.

[jamie_hunt]

Originally Posted by scando

... I just get frustrated with all the inertia. ...

I hear ya.