takoma junction task forcetakomajunction.org/presentation7a.pdfjunction task force presentation 3...

Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e Presentation to the Takoma Park City Council

Monday, September 19, 2011

Background:

Takoma Junction is a neighborhood that includes a cluster of homes, businesses, and properties that surround the intersection of Maryland state highways 410 (Philadelphia and Ethan Allen Avenues) and 195 (Carroll Avenue). For years, community members and elected o cials have discussed redevelopment strategies, debated their merits, and made some incremental changes.

Junction Task Force Presentation 2

Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e


Goals:

The Council outlined the following goals for the TJTF:

1. Evaluate current conditions in Takoma Junction and identify opportunities for the redevelopment and revitalization of the area;

2. Develop an outreach plan designed to solicit comment on future redevelopment proposals, increase awareness of available incentive programs and engage the community in revitalization initiatives that may be undertaken by the City and others; and

3. Create work plans with recommended near- and long-term actions for Council consideration that address the community’s interest in improving existing tra c patterns; resolving pedestrian safety concerns; increasing public use of public spaces; providing for the redevelopment of city-owned properties; enhancing the physical appearance and condition of properties; and increasing the economic viability of area businesses.

Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e


Organization:

Co-chairs: Howard Kohn, Seth Grimes,

Co-secretaries: Roger Schlegel, Je Trunzo.

Three subcommittees (A, B and C) with the following responsibilities:

A. Business district, including the city lot, focusing on potential development uses and issues. Planner and developer input/assistance needed to understand options. Parking.

B. Research and outreach, organizing TF engagement of business and community stakeholders. Synthesizing previous Junction work, studies, proposals (e.g., OTBA market study, Fireplace group, neighborhood initiatives, charettes, other historical initiatives).

C. Tra c, pedestrian, streetscape, livability (Dan Burden walkability report, liaison parking with subcommittee A’s work).

Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e


Mission Statement:

Takoma Junction, predominantly located in the Historic District, is a small commercial district in the heart of a residential community, with historically significant resources and a vital fire station that should...

• encourage motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists to slow down, park, relax, and shop, while functioning adequately as a link within the local road and transit networks,

• encourage sustainable commercial opportunities and provide convenience to local consumers,

• serve as a cultural meeting-point for old and young in a diverse community, and

• blend harmoniously with adjacent residential neighborhoods,

• all in a forward-thinking, attractive, and environmentally sensitive way.

Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e


Website:

The Takoma Junction Task Force also has a public website, which contains meeting notes and minutes as well as research documents relative to the study at http://takomajunction.org

Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e


Current Condition:Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e


Community Outreach E orts:

• Ten residential outreach events; approximately 150 participants

• At outreach gatherings, individual surveys plus recording of group findings

• Business surveys – outreach to every business

• Pedestrian intercepts

• Informal conversations, and visitors to task force meetings

Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e


Community Outreach Responses:

• What’s There and What’s Not…

• I’d Like To See…

• It Might Help Business if We…

• It Would be Fun if We Had…

• I’d Be Happy if We Could…

• Some Development is OK…

• Ease the Flow…

• Whatever Happens They’d Better…

• If We’re Truly Green, We Ought To…

• It Ought to Be Our Special Place…

• We’ve Talked Long Enough…

Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e


City Lot:

Principal concerns include:

• Business/development potential

• Community space

• Environment

Immediate steps:

• Engage expert assistance to conduct a non-invasive,

first-step environmental assessment

• Direct sta to work with the task force, OTBA, and others

to design and plan a flexible, mixed-use community/small-business space

• Pursue expert assessment of business potential and

site-use options

• Track TPSS Co-op planning

For later consideration:

• Environmental assessment next steps

• A request for proposals for site development

Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e


Roadways, Signals, and Crossings

Principal concerns include:

• Bicyclist and pedestrian safety

• Community usability

• Historic preservation

• Parking and Tra c flow

• Environmental impact

• Business climate: individual storefronts & as a unified district

Immediate steps:

• Solidify the city's State Highway Administration relationship

• SHA completes signal optimization

• Public transit education

After signals are stabilized:

• Measure motor vehicle, pedestrian & bicyclist flows

• Engage expert advice on feasibility and desirability of significant modification and to conduct simulations

• Consider near-term and long-term modifications

Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e


Tra c: Low Cost Modifications To Explore Now

• Change Sycamore Avenue into a one-way street for incoming tra c from Ethan Allen Avenue; creating more parking spaces on the east-

side of the TPSS Co-op. Changing the tra c light pattern of the Sycamore Avenue light to allow westbound tra c on Ethan Allen Avenue to proceed through the intersection while eastbound tra c is stopped and vice versa.

• Permit only right turns into Sycamore and right turns out. Left hand turns would not be permitted onto Sycamore Avenue or into the Co-

op’s parking lot. Remove Sycamore Avenue tra c light.

• Convert the left lane of southbound Carroll Avenue to allow right and left turns.

• Make two lanes on eastbound Carroll Avenue where it intersects

Philadelphia Avenue at the fire station, assigning one lane for left-turns.

• Create signalized crosswalk from Grant Avenue to the City Lot.

Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e


Recommendations:

• Schedule a work session for consideration of the full TF report for after the new council is seated.

• Extend Task Force through January 31, 2012

• Consult city sta for feedback, feasibility assessment, report refinement through October and November (Deputy City Manager, Housing and Community Development Director, Police Chief, Public Works Director, Senior Planner)

• Work with sta on design and planning of a flexible-use community and business space for the city lot.

• Pursue, with city sta , the council, and other o cials strategy regarding the SHA relationship

• Participate, with o cial standing, in an anticipated January council work-session.

Takom

a Juncti

on T

ask F

orc

e

takoma junction task forcetakomajunction.org/presentation7a.pdfjunction task force presentation 3...

Documents