Final Presentation

Oct 22 Agenda

Saturday October 22 marked the end of the charrette week and the beginning of the next steps forward in the planning of Columbia Town Center. After developing a vision for downtown one week earlier at Wilde Lake High School, participants gathered to hear the design team present plans, illustrations, and development programs that could tailor development over the next 30 years. Nearly 300 people were on hand for the final presentation.

Howard County Government gave a special thank you to the organizations and individuals who contributed valuable time and resources that helped make this event a success.

The final presentation provided both an overview of the charrette process and the draft master plan developed through that process. Each segment has been presented separately for easier access.

Please click on the following link for an overview of the charrette process(2.8 MB).

Please click on the following link for the draft master plan presentation(11.5 MB).

The Columbia Town Center Draft Master Plan was organized around common themes that emerged during the charrette process. These included:

• Need for Public Transportation – to and around Town Center
• Importance of Pedestrian Connections – to villages…..
• Mixed Use and not Single Use Districts
• Housing Diversity & Affordability
• Walkability, Pedestrian Safety, Livable Streets
• Symphony Woods as Central Park
• Lakefront as Heart of Town Center
• More Cultural Activities and Civic Uses

In the process of creating a draft master plan for Columbia Town Center, these specific elements of downtown’s future development were considered:

• Market Analysis for the Primary Study Area
• Town Center Access and Transportation Network
• Provision of Affordable Housing
• Meriweather to Remain an Open Air Venue

Other areas of concern, which were brought up during the charrette, will need to be studied further. These issues included:

• Plans for villages / centers may be considered separately
• Route 29 design and interchanges will require study with SHA
• Ratios and location of affordable housing will be discussed with zoning
• Sound control at performances and noise mitigation for new buildings will be solved

Primary Study Area: Columbia Downtown Master Plan

A 30-year plan was needed to address short-term development opportunities while creating a flexible long-term framework for future growth. Planning and design principles were used to address the following needs:

Potential Network Improvements

The transportation element of the plan addresses vehicular, pedestrian, and transit modes of travel. A grid network of roadways would underpin improved connectivity within the Town Center with potential modifications to the Rt. 175 interchange and South Entrance Road for improved access from points beyond.

Transit Routes & Parking Structure Locations

A hierarchy of transit systems will increase accessibility as well as reduce congestion created by vehicular trips both in and around Town Center. Parking structures would be located within specific areas of the plan to accommodate shared parking opportunities among multiple uses. The pattern of structured parking adjacent to the mall would continue to be developed.

Pedestrian Connections

Pedestrian circulation created along important roadways and natural features would form a network of street, promenade, and trail connections throughout Town Center. Connections between the villages of Oakland Mills, Hickory Ridge, and Wilde Lake were also important elements of the plan.

Open Space and Cultural/Civic Sites

Areas of existing open space would be preserved and enhanced while other areas within Town Center would feature newly formed green spaces.

In addition to green space, squares, plazas, and public art would be located in and around new development. Some of these areas would also support cultural and civic uses. When combined, these elements will create special locations for activity.

Four Districts - A Connected Town Center

Plan refinements included the naming of each district in Town Center. While a signature character for each district could be created giving individual identity, the districts would be integrated with one another through a series of transportation and green space connections noted above.

Warfield Triangle

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• Neighborhood extends and reflects adjacent residential and Mall use
• Residential apartments, some above retail space, shops and restaurants
• Professional offices and services; retail on ground floor of some buildings
• Shared parking
• 4 to 6 story buildings
• Livable streets, plazas and greens

Before & After View From Twin Rivers

Corporate Boulevard

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• The corporate address in Columbia and Howard County; new urban streets
• Corporate headquarters, professional offices in multi-tenant buildings
• Shops, restaurants and entertainment on ground floor of some buildings; shared parking
• 10 to 20 story buildings
• Walkable streets, plazas and greens

Before & After View Toward Library & South Entrance Road

Before & After View of Ring Road Transformed to
Prestigious Business Address

Little Patuxent Parkway / Wincopin Street

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• LPP is framed by buildings on both sides; Wincopin Street is a new walkable side street
• Residential apartments and office buildings
• Shops and restaurants on ground floor of some buildings; hotel with conference center
• 8 to 20 stories; taller buildings north of high rise at corner of LPP and Wincopin Circle, lower buildings at lake & along GWP
• Walkable streets, small plazas, grand promenade from mall to lakefront

Future Little Patuxent Parkway

Development would front on both sides of Little Patuxent Parkway. On-street parking would be used to slow vehicle movement through Town Center and begin to define it as a pedestrian oriented environment. Opportunities for public art, as shown here in the form of a founder’s statue, would reinforce this area as a gateway to downtown Columbia.

Before & After View of Little Patuxent Parkway

Before & After View From the Mall to the Lake

Wincopin Street / Lakefront

• Remains the heart of Town Center
• Community and leisure activities
• Restaurants, entertainment, signature buildings; limited residential and office
• 4 to 6 stories along lake respect view
• Amphitheater, plazas, paths and natural areas along lake; civic uses

Before & After View of Wincopin Street

The Crescent

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• Urban mixed use neighborhood at the gateway to Town Center; new street frames edge of Symphony Woods
• Residential apartments and office buildings
• Civic & cultural uses; shops and restaurants on ground floor of some buildings; hotel
• 8 to 20 stories, depending on location
• Woodland areas, village greens, small plazas, transit stop

Future View of The Crescent

Connected to the Corporate Boulevard District by a grand promenade yet partially surrounded by Symphony Woods, The Crescent will create development with a variety of uses while preserving the natural environment.

Symphony Woods

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• Columbia's Central Park
• Woods with promenade and informal paths, Merriweather Post Pavilion
• Civic uses, community events, ice rink
• Natural areas, paths, sitting and gathering areas, recreation

Future Symphony Woods Gateway

A formal green connecting to Symphony Woods would lead visitors along paths to various programmed activities and forested open space. At its heart lies Merriweather Post Pavilion. The concert hall would continue to operate as an open-air venue.

What If?... 30 Plus Years

Conclusion of Presentation

Thank You!

Howard County Government would like to thank everyone who participated in the week long charrette for Columbia Town Center. We encourage you to stay involved as the next steps forward are defined and welcome all new participants to join in the conversation.

This evolving website will continue to provide you with the opportunity to comment on the charrette process and what it has produced to date. The final presentation given Saturday, October 22 was a synthesis of your thoughts, ideas, and concerns for the future of Columbia’s downtown.

Please continue to provide us with your charrette comments as we refine the draft master plan vision. For further information or questions concerning the Columbia Downtown Draft Master Plan, please call Howard County’s Department of Planning and Zoning at 410-313-2350.

Available Charrette Work Products

If you would like to publish any of the charrette images, please contact Bill Mackey with your request. We will give you any credit information if required for the images. Copyright protection may apply.