East County Times 10/28/04

This conceptual rending illustrates UDAT's vision for the storefronts along Eastern Blvd., designed to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment.

The last 18 months in the Urban Design Assistance Team (UDAT) process came to a new beginning on October 26. The team spent the previous seven days at a frantic pace, touring the area by sea, air, and van, talking to community members and taking all of the input from the previous forums, going without meals and little sleep, to re-design the community to input, expectation, and personal expertise. They presented a new version of the Essex-Middle River area at an afternoon meeting at the Essex Church of God.

UDAT Steering Committee co-chair John Gontrum stated, "There was incredible community participation," with the plans "representing dozens of input. The community should feel claim of ownership because it is a community plan."

County Executive Jim Smith said, "I congratulate the community... you didn't just sit back and dream or complain. You came forward to share your views and vision. It is an exciting time for Essex-Middle River and Baltimore County." He promised the "plan [would] not sit on a shelf collecting dust." The County Council and government were for the plan, but its implementation would require the same commitment and participation used in its creation by the community.

UDAT Team Chairman Steve Gaddis commented in his opening remarks, "I've never seen a community so self-aware and full of energy, looking for a new vision. The team here was wonderful, and I think all of us had a marvelous time." The other members nodded their agreement at Gaddis' assessment.

The new UDAT plan calls for the development of connections between the various communities in the area. Focusing on pedestrian traffic, public transit corridors, and community gateways, the team provided a focus on several areas.

The first covered was the "heart of Essex" - the downtown area of the 400- and 500-block of Eastern Boulevard. the team outlined the narrowing of the lanes and removal of the median to encourage "traffic calming" - making drivers slow down to perhaps only 25 mph for the two blocks. They also want to widen the sidewalks and include a bike lane. "We want the street to work for people, not just the cars," stated Gaddis. They also provided a conceptual drawing of "new" Essex, with two-story buildings to encourage mixed-use - retail/office space on the bottom with living quarters above. The burial of power and phone lines would also improve the aesthetic and encourage pedestrians. "With the street as it is now, businesses are blocked by the short, dense trees. The removal of the overhead lines would allow you to choose a different species." He also showed a concept for a two-story parking deck to be constructed behind the existing buildings on Eastern Boulevard.

The Country Ridge Shopping Center was also another topic. "It could be a compact town center, and I believe it would make a great site for a community swimming pool, with housing and schools located close to the site," stated UDAT member Lyn McClay.

The team also addressed the redevelopment of Kingsley Park with County planners and interested community members. The team provided them with a few ideas regarding housing types and design, but emphasized the need for diversity in housing types, whether it is for seniors or single-family dwellings.

The re-design of Josenhan's Corner. the arrows indicate possible bicycle paths.

"We all realize the need for safety, walkability, and attempting to create community gathering places." McClay stressed the ideas since "there are a lot of shops only a quarter mile away and they should be easy for everyone to get to."

The Back River Bridge was yet another area that the group marked as a "gateway." They want to develop a pedestrian walkway beside the bridge, and center island with some form of demarcation to announce the entrance in the Essex area.

The UDAT also highlighted the coming developments on Dark Head Cove by the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Early concept designs have created a mixed use development, highlighting the water access with a boardwalk, transient boat slips, mixed housing of condominiums and town homes, office and retail space, and even a medium-sized hotel.

The coming extension of Route 43 means that the first look into the area will be the General Services Administration Depot, which was released by the federal government for sale. UDAT encouraged the County to purchase the site to develop it to the community's needs. Local schoolchildren believe, based on their own artwork submitted to UDAT, the area would be perfect for recreation, such as a skate park, basketball courts or indoor soccer, and even a site for a swimming pool. "At 1.9 million square feet, you have a lot of options with the building. I mean the upper areas are built to hold 250 pounds per square inch." He noted that the North Carolina building specifications for a deck, to accommodate parties and other large groups of people is 100 pounds per square inch.

The phrase repeated often by the various team members was "economic feasibility." These sweeping changes for the better will have a price. However, the area now has a new outlook. With a bold new vision in hand, Essex-Middle River must now gaze to the future to begin the process of re-creating the area, one neighborhood and project at a time.

Essex-Middle River UDAT Reveals Vision