Greater Towson Community Leaders Support Roadway Changes to Enhance Walkability

Community Leaders Support Roadway Changes to Enhance Walkability

Towson, Md. (June 6, 2008)—Greater Towson community leaders expressed strong support for roadway changes on York Road and the roundabout that will strengthen the downtown business district by enhancing its pedestrian environment.

The changes will allow all-hours parking along the downtown section of York Road – between Towsontown Boulevard and the roundabout – narrowing the road to two lanes for most of these three blocks. Changes to the roundabout will also narrow selected entrances and exits to calm traffic. A major thrust of the changes is to enhance pedestrian safety along the “Main Street” portion of York Road and the roundabout by slowing traffic and narrowing selected pedestrian crossings.

York Road Changes Bring Benefits

The changes to York Road will bring several benefits to the commercial district: (1) Patrons of the shops along York Road will have easier parking access to those shops; (2) The parked cars will serve as a buffer to moving traffic, making people on York Road’s sidewalks feel safer and more welcome; (3) Narrowing York Road will reduce traffic speeds along the affected section and reduce the volume of cut-through traffic.

“Calming Traffic on York Road and the roundabout is an important step toward making Towson more inviting to pedestrians and walkable,” said Rhoda Dorsey, president of Tomorrow’s Towson, Inc. “We applaud Baltimore County and the SHA for supporting two top priorities of the Walkable Towson Plan.”

Tomorrow’s Towson was formed with a diverse membership to host the Urban Design Assistance Team that visited Towson in 2006. The UDAT plan placed a high priority on making Towson more walkable. The County followed up on that recommendation by facilitating a charrette process in the summer of 2007 that resulted in the Walkable Towson Plan, now available at the Walkable Towson web site.

Support for the Project

Ed Kilcullen and Mike Ertel, two leaders of the Greater Towson Council of Community Associations and members of Tomorrow’s Towson, voiced their support for the project. “I am pleased that the County is taking steps to implement a plan that brought hundreds of Towson residents to the table to build consensus and move Towson forward in a positive, progressive way,” said Ertel.

“Walkability is important to the residents of Towson,” said Kilcullen. “More people will frequent the businesses in Towson if it’s safer to walk here. If more people are shopping here, then more businesses will be attracted to Towson.” "Pleasant, safe walking conditions must be a priority in order for Towson to thrive," said Cindy Bledsoe, Executive Director of the Greater Towson Committee. "A walkable Towson means more social interaction, better health and diminished crime, which makes both social and economic sense. Therefore, the GTC has joined with several organizations in building consensus support for these changes."

“Towson is bustling with new activity,” said Nancy Hafford, executive director of the Towson Chamber of Commerce. “We are delighted to see so many new projects that are improving the pedestrian environment, helping to attract new visitors. We want everyone who comes to Towson to stay longer and visit more attractions.”

“Baltimore County has stepped up to take action and begin implementing recommendations from the UDAT and the Walkable Towson Plan,” Hafford continued. “Towson businesses look forward to continuing the partnership and the progress it fosters.”

The Recher Theatre is planning a 110-seat addition to its property that will face Delaware Avenue and be in close proximity to The Vin restaurant and new movie theaters and parking that are planned for the area. The addition will be an outdoor patio offering food and bar service. Theatre owners Brian and Scott Recher said they hope the patio will be operating by the end of July. “We are very excited to be part of the positive changes for Towson and support efforts to enhance its pedestrian environment,” Recher said.

The Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation has been managing an improvement project that has rebuilt many of the sidewalks along Allegheny. Tree planters have been rebuilt and electrical outlets have been added to allow much more lighting, enhancing safety after dark. New street furniture will be installed.

The 110,000-square-foot expansion includes three new restaurants, big box retailers, a new luxury wing, and approximately 260 additional parking spaces. Outside the center, a dramatic, pedestrian-friendly streetscape will enhance the appeal and functionality for consumers with paved walkways, attractive landscaping, and outdoor patio dining at the three new restaurants including P.F. Chang’s and Stoney River Legendary Steaks. A welcoming gateway, with a distinguishable corner tower at the cross section of Dulaney Valley Road and Fairmount Avenue will create a more inviting visual aspect.

The Towson Chamber of Commerce will begin holding its weekly “Feet on the Street” events for 2008 on Friday June 6, 2008. The event will be held on Friday nights through September 26, 2008. On event nights, Allegheny Avenue will be closed from 6 to 9:30 p.m. between York Road and Washington Avenue. The Towson Chamber provides live music, children's activities and will sell beer and wine to offset the costs for this event. Outdoor grills, seating and fun summertime foods will be available.

The Towson Chamber of Commerce’s 29th Annual Farmers Market will begin Thursday, June 12, 2008 and run through November 20, 2008. The event takes place from 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Allegheny Avenue Between York Road and Washington Avenue. The Chamber will also be sponsoring an additional Farmers Market starting Saturday, June 14, 2008 until Saturday, November 22, 2008. The Saturday market will be held at the corner of Allegheny and Washington Avenue from, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.