UDAT leaves with workable solutionsJean Flanagan The Avenue News 10/28/2004 Drive across the Back River Bridge toward Essex and you will instantly know you are in a unique place. The tree-lined streets are narrow, so you must slow down. The sidewalks are wide and bustling. Cars stop to give way to pedestrians crossing to patronize the businesses along Eastern Boulevard. The businesses are bright and inviting. If the Essex-Middle River Urban Design Assistance Team (UDAT) has their way, that's what Essex will look like in the not-too-distant future. The UDAT's whirlwind visit ended Tuesday with a final presentation of suggestions for the redevelopment of Essex and Middle River. The ten-member team was invited to come hear and see the challenges of revitalizing the two older communities. They left behind suggestions on how to meet and overcome those challenges. Following a van and boat tour of the area — the boat tour was provided by Chesapeake Bay Memories on their flagship "Seclusion" — the "charrette" began Thursday evening with a community forum held at the recently renovated Essex Church of God in downtown Essex. Steve Gaddis, UDAT leader, introduced the team members. He told community leaders and interested citizens it was his groups' job to identify the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities of the community. "Essex doesn't have a vision," he said. "We can start that vision process." Following a slide presentation where Gaddis outlined the team's goals and elaborated on some design tools they would be using, the audience was invited to view a series of photographs and write comments. The photographs were scenes of Essex and Middle River and the public was asked to write what they thought about the scene — whether they wanted to keep it as it was, change it in some way, or get rid of it altogether. On Friday, the team was treated to an aerial view of the study area, courtesy of SkyTech, Inc. Although a bit cloudy, the team got an idea of the connections of the communities and those communities to the water from the air. The team also heard from panels of professionals and concerned citizens regarding infrastructure, public safety, education and the environment. Late Friday evening, several local civic leaders arrived at the UDAT headquarters to share the concerns of their communities with the team. Jack Schultz, president of Wilson Point Improvement Association and Bill Balch of Middleborough Improvement Association stressed infrastructure deficiencies that are resulting in drainage problems along their roadways. Sidewalks along Middleborough Road are being undermined, Balch stated, creating hazardous conditions for pedestrians and homeowners who must descend a foot-deep slope to get to their mailboxes. Middleborough also would like the county to construct a community building for use of residents and their organizations. The Hawthorne Civic Association was represented by Doug Tomecek who detailed the neighborhood's desire for improved landscaping and lighting, particularly at the gateway to the community which is obscured by the Hawthorne shopping center. He described a "flower box" wall with plants and shrubs that would "cut the visual plane" between the road and the shopping center and power substation. Residents also would like to see another recreation pier, expanded playground activities and an environmental education area in the park. Bob Palmer presented the concerns of the Marine Trades Association of Baltimore County (MTABC) which represents many of the 77 marina facilities in the county, 49 of which are in Essex or Middle River. In fact, 5,800 slips out of a total 6,700-plus are in the UDAT study area. With the aim of keeping boats in local waterways, MTABC hopes to see enhanced landings at Hart-Miller Islands and North Point State Park with a water taxi system providing a connection. Many boaters currently travel away from Middle River looking for a wider variety of waterfront dining and entertainment spots, explained Palmer. MTABC's goal is to keep boaters here and draw in those from out of the area. The spokesman for Essex-Middle River Civic Council, an umbrella group of about 25 organizations, was President Rocky Jones. He explained the group's concern with the deterioration of the physical plants of many local schools. The council and chamber of commerce are working together to help address those problems. The capacity of Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant and aging infrastructure are other problems shared by the entire east side, he said. In addition, "The area needs a balance of affordable and upper end housing." A large problem identified by the UDAT Team and acknowledged by community leaders is the area's lack of effective signage. With the waterfront as Essex-Middle River's star attraction and the water visible from Eastern Boulevard only at Back River and Middle River bridges, visitors might drive right through the area unaware of the amenities just off the state road. Opening up the water view at Middle River bridge and enhancing the view at Back River was but one of the team's challenges. Saturday found the team hearing from panels regarding recreation and parks and the business community. There was also a lengthy discussion regarding the redevelopment of Kingsley Park and the Back River Neck Road corridor. On Sunday evening, Gaddis and the UDAT presented their preliminary proposals to a group of community leaders at the Essex Library. When they finished, the standing-room-only crowd was energized. There was dialog about what was addressed and what wasn't addressed. "I'm very pleased with the process," said Chuck Munzert, president of the Hawthorne Civic Association and president of the Middle River Rec. Council. "They were very positive and open-minded. They listened to what we had to say, they looked very deeply into our concerns and addressed some of them." "This is a challenge," echoed Brad Wallace of Wallace Engineering. "If nothing else, this could prompt others to offer alternative suggestions. Criticism without alternatives is not valid criticism." "They are certainly looking at the right areas," said Bob Palmer, owner of Tradewinds Marina and member of the Marine Trades Association. "They've been good listeners, sorting out the chaf from the good stuff." The focus of the team was broken down into four main parts — downtown Essex, the Back River Neck Road corridor including Kingsely Park and the Country Ridge Shopping Center, the Lockheed Martin Waterfront Destination and the GSA Depot, which is currently on the real estate market. The themes of centers, connections, gateways and identity were carried through the final presentation at the Essex Chuch of God on Tuesday afternoon. The community was treated to some of its existing positive aspects — the beautiful natural environment, the great neighborhoods, the local character and sense of history. "We feel humbled by what we found here," Gaddis said. "We were asked to prepare a vision and we feel the community already has a lot of the seeds of that vision." Beginning with the Back River Bridge, the team envisioned a gateway that would create an identity for the downtown Essex area, define the edge of the commercial district and calm the traffic. A concept for narrowing the street, enlarging the sidewalks and making the area more conducive to pedestrian-friendly commercial enterprises was presented. (See Fig. 1). The problem of parking was addressed with a concept for "structured parking" located somewhere convenient for the increased pedestrian traffic. "We'd also like to maintain the diagonal parking, because it maximizes the space," said UDAT member Mark Humienny. Looking at the Back River Neck Road corrider and particularly Josenhan's Corner as another center, the team presented a connection of walking/biking trails between the new Kingsley Park development, the Tall Trees Park, Mars Estates Elementary School, and a newly developed Country Ridge Shopping Center. The redevelopment of Kingsley Park that would combine senior, workforce affordable and market value housing has already been mandated by the federal government. The team suggested several various alternatives to each housing type that would reflect the style of the community, at the same time addressing safety, walkability and open space. "We heard time and time again, there's nothing for the youth of the community to do," UDAT member Lyn McClay said. "So we fashioned a mixed use development for the Country Ridge Shopping Center." A two-story, mixed-use development could enliven the Country Ridge Shopping Center with professional offices and community services on the first floor and some residential on the second floor. The shopping center/community center could also be the site of a movie theater and community swimming pool, which would "provide facilities for kids to walk to," McClay said. (See Fig. 2)  | The team identified opportunities for a mini-waterfront destination at Middle River. |
The Middle River Bridge provides a natural gateway to the community on the other side, according to Humienny. "We found this is one of the only places where the community can actually see the water," he said. To expand the current plan to develop the "Triangle Park" at the intersection of Eastern Boulevard and Old Eastern Avenue, the UDAT suggested connecting the park to the WaterView community, remove the scrub and trees along the water to improve the vista and add a pedestrian walkway to the bridge. (See Fig. 3) "We really think the Lockheed Martin property is the place for a waterfront destination," Gaddis said. "And while we know a plan exists, they chose not to show it to us. They asked us to design one of our own." The Lockheed Martin waterfront destination conceptualized by the UDAT would place a proposed hotel closer to the water on the western side of the property, with a conference center and commercial development flowing to the east. A day-slip pier would be located on the far eastern side of the property. Six six-story condominiums would provide residential opportunities on the waterfront, with parking behind. The team suggested a parking garage behind the condominiums could hide the industrial area to the north. Between the condominiums and the hotel, a two-story retail/office complex would provide the commercial component. A system of boardwalks could connect the destination to Wilson Point Park and the Martin Maryland Aviation Museum at Strawberry Point. Gaddis said the General Services Administration (GSA) depot would be the perfect place for a sports complex featuring ice skating, swimming, basketball, indoor soccer and a climbing wall. He also said the MARC station could be incorporated in the complex with indoor parking, as well. The MTABC suggested it could be used as a venue for trade shows, boat shows in particular. "Essex-Middle River residents and businesses have shown great enthusiasm and dedication in raising funds to support the UDAT visit and giving their time to participate in the process," said County Executive James T. Smith Jr. "I thank the community and this team of skilled professionals for bringing new momentum and vision to the renaissance of this area." The UDAT was funded totally through resident and business donations, both monetary and in-kind.
| 
