West Baltimore MARC Station Master Plan
Summary
The West Baltimore MARC Transit-Centered Community Development Strategy provides community-supported guidance for future change in West Baltimore. The Strategy includes foundational principles and recommended implementing actions. The underlying belief of the Strategy is that the existing MARC regional rail service and the future Red Line transit investment can help in West Baltimore’s revitalization efforts. The strategy does not specify specific transit alignments or land use locations, rather it provides the community with general guidance to consider when specific projects are proposed. It is not the final word on how West Baltimore will redevelop – it is the first.
The Strategy is based on community input given at workshops and meetings from 2006 through 2008. Important to the planning process, the community generated development principles that specify how the community wants future development to occur and “behave”. The principles form the foundation of the Strategy’s development concept that envisions a future where a variety of housing is available, jobs are accessible and plentiful, and transportation serves the community. It imagines a future where the needs of current residents are met, residents are trained and qualified for new jobs, and the area becomes a destination attracting visitors from across the region. All participants in the West Baltimore Transit-Centered Community Development Strategy process believe that West Baltimore can benefit from improving the connection between development and transit while acknowledging the area’s unique economic, housing, and cultural assets and resources. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is a major policy priority for Baltimore City and the Maryland Department of Transportation.
The West Baltimore MARC station is an important TOD site because it is a stop on the MARC commuter rail line between Washington, DC and Aberdeen and because the area will be served by the future Red Line.
Read the full summary
Introduction
The West Baltimore MARC Transit-Centered Community Development Strategy is the first in what must be a long-term and continuing relationship between government agencies and residents of West Baltimore in their efforts to rebuild the West Baltimore MARC station area. The Strategy reflects the community’s needs and expresses a vision for the future of the area based on community input in 2006 and 2007 and provides recommendations for the stakeholders involved to help achieve desired outcomes. The Strategy also includes phasing recommendations to achieve large-scale and small-scale development over time, and, more importantly, to transition West Baltimore into a healthy, stable neighborhood for existing and future residents.
Study Area
The principal study area is roughly a half-mile circle around the West Baltimore MARC station. This distance was chosen because it represents approximately a 10-minute walk from the station to the furthest point, which is considered the longest time and furthest distance most people will walk to transit. The study area provides a guide for focusing planning efforts. However, it is recognized that community improvements are needed beyond this distance and that many neighborhoods – particularly east of the half mile circle identify the MARC Station and transit as a major focus of their revitalization potential. Even though the Strategy lays out land use alternatives for the study area, many of the recommended processes and implementation tools can and should be applied to other areas beyond the half mile radius.
Learn more about the Study Area
Developing Concepts
West Baltimore residents have signaled that they are ready for change in their neighborhoods. The key question, however, is what form the change will take. There are many “unknowns” facing the area, and every possibility holds major land use implications. Where will the Red Line go? How will the need for additional MARC parking be accommodated? What will happen to the industrial land southwest of the MARC station? What will happen to the Highway to Somewhere? So that the community can be prepared for a range of possible futures, the West Baltimore MARC Transit-Centered Community Development Strategy is intended to provide guidance as to how the community can work toward their vision as these questions are answered, rather than try to predict a specific future. It outlines different methods for achieving community goals and principles in key areas and reflects residents’ input on how development should “behave” and strengthen the community.
Phasing
This section addresses the development concept’s phasing. Which requires careful consideration of both large scale development and smaller infill projects. The Transit-Centered Community Development Strategy considers several large opportunity sites and infill areas wholly or partially within the focus area. By concentrating efforts on these properties, resources can be strategically utilized to allow for the greatest neighborhood impact over time.
See the Appendix for further details