Pin-Up Session

Oct 18 Agenda

On Tuesday evening, participants gathered with the design team to discuss the evolving plan for Town Center’s transportation network and alternative development patterns for the emerging districts. During the charrette, works created by the design team, as well as General Growth Properties, are on display in the Spear Center. A synopsis of the presentation for plans alternatives (9.6 MB) is provided for your information.

For further information, a synopsis of the presentation for traffic and transportation (4.1 MB) has also been provided.

The design team shared what they had learned up to this point in the charrette. Information gathered on Saturday and Monday was used to rank priority needs and describe what actions are needed to make Town Center a special place.

Results of the participant survey taken on Saturday were also presented and are provided for your information. Key findings included:

• 250 respondents
• 42% aged 46 to 59; 35% aged 60 or better; 8% aged 29 and younger

• 65% of respondents were Columbia residents
• 58% live in “other Columbia Village”
• 51% earn more than $100,000 per year

• 8% and fewer use downtown daily for shopping, services. restaurants, recreation, and entertainment
• 86% would live where able to walk to work, services, recreation

Participants were presented with 3 plans alternatives with varying patterns of development for Town Center. Participants were asked to describe what they thought worked and didn’t work, as well as what was should be reconsidered. Each development scenario included 4 districts: West Side Neighborhood, Corporate Boulevard, Lakefront/Little Patuxent Parkway, and Crescent/Symphony Woods.

The following are examples of some of the district scenarios:

Plan Alternative A

Under Plan A, the Lakefront/Little Patuxent Parkway District would have a residential and office focus. Buildings would rise 8 to 10 stories, with structures of 3 to 5 stories closer to the lake. This area could accommodate a hotel and conference facility, and would feature retail, entertainment, and services.

The before and after illustration shows how Little Patuxent Parkway would be developed under this alternative.

Plan Alternative B

In Plan B, development within the Crescent/Symphony Woods District would feature residential uses with limited office focus. The area could incorporate a boutique hotel. Buildings would be 6 to 10 stories with first floor retail and service uses.

Plan Alternative C

In Plan C, the Lakefront/Little Patuxent Parkway District would have both a residential and an office focus. Buildings would be 10 to 20 stories in the center of the district with 6 to 10 stories on the edges. The area could include a hotel and would feature civic and cultural uses. Retail, entertainment, and services would also be provided.

In small groups, participants were given copies of each alternative plan with illustrations of how each district would be treated, and asked to select the alternative they liked best for each district. In addition, each group was asked to write down what they thought were the most interesting elements of the plans, what were the elements of greatest concern, and what they would like the design team to continue to think about.

The results of the discussion groups will be tabulated and used as a basis for plan refinements on Wednesday. Copies of the discussion questions used during this exercise have been provided below.

Oct 18 Discussion Questions