Pin-Up Session

Oct 19 Agenda

Wednesday evening’s discussion focused on the concept plan and market analysis for Town Center. Feedback from Tuesday on proposed uses, building heights, and amenities formed the basis of plans and drawlings prepared for the design presentation. A synopsis of the conceptual plan presentation (16 MB) is provided for your information.

For further information, a synopsis of the market analysis has also been provided.

Discussion feedback collected on Tuesday was tabulated to create a conceptual program for development specific to each district. Survey results from the Saturday workshop describing why people come downtown and how often they visit, were used to explain how Town Center currently lacks vibrancy. Development would need to support a variety of retail and service needs including restaurants, cultural activities, and entertainment to attract daily use. Feedback from the discussion questions on Tuesday was presented in a development program matrix .

What Town Center Is Now And What It Could Be

Town Center Development Pattern

The West Side Neighborhood would reflect adjacent uses. Residential apartments, lofts, and townhouses would be developed with shops and restaurants mostly on the ground level of some multistory buildings. The area would create livable streets accentuated by small plazas. Structures would rise 4 stories in height.

Corporate Boulevard would be the address for corporate national headquarters and professional offices in multi-tenant buildings. Shops and restaurants would mostly be located along the ground floor of some multistory buildings. The area would create a new urban street parallel to Little Patuxent Parkway. The rendering below portrays street level activity with office uses above. Buildings would front the street and be lined with sidewalk amenities.

The Lakefront/Little Patuxent Parkway District would continue to be the heart of Town Center. Plazas, community uses, and leisure time activities would all be programmed into the space. A hotel with conference center and restaurants would also be featured with special locations for signature buildings such as Columbia Association Headquarters and General Growth Properties.

Little Patuxent Parkway would become Town Center's main street, with buildings on both sides. Wincopin Street would act as a narrow side street with 4 to 6 story building heights that provide views to the lake and community uses. In other locations, buildings would rise 6 to 10 stories with some 10 to 20 story buildings at the district center. Shops, entertainment and restaurants would be developed at the ground floor level of some multistory buildings.

The rendering above begins to define Little Patuxent Parkway as the main street of Town Center. Buildings line the roadway and feature ground level retail. On-street parking helps to define the pedestrian environment.

The Crescent/Symphony Woods District would create a New urban mixed use neighborhood at the gateway to Town Center. A roadway would frame the edge of Symphony Woods. Cultural facilities, shops, and restaurants would be located at ground level of some multistory buildings. Building heights would range from 8 to 20 stories depending on location. Woodland areas, village greens, and small plazas would all be incorporated into the space. The district would also be a suitable location for a transit station.

In the rendering above, buildings ring one side of the roadway giving a sense of traveling through the woods rather than entering a new development.

After presentation of the conceptual plan, participants continued their discussions that would lead to further refinements of the plan.