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Politics & Government

Cy Paumier: 'Spirit of Jim Rouse… lives on.'

Urban designer Cy Paumier on a Hocomojo podcast says the spirit of Rouse lives on, but his team deals with the "realities of today."

Appearing on a podcast that recently aired on the HoCoMoJo news network, urban designer Cy Paumier discussed his vision for the future of the Columbia Lakefront and Symphony Woods redevelopment projects, while saying his team was “contemporary in its thinking.”

“I think the sprit of Jim Rouse is what lives on,” he told hosts Paul Skalny and Dennis Lane on the “And Then There’s That,” podcast this month. “I think there are very few things we see as being sacred. And I think we’re constantly having to deal with the realities of today.”  

Paumier was one of the original planners of Columbia, having worked under famous developer Jim Rouse for three years in the late 60s and early 70s. Paumier is the former chief land planner for the company.

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At the moment, Paumier has teamed up with four other former Rouse employees to push . He has also contributed to discussions regarding a revamped Symphony Woods park area.

The Columbia Association will spend up to $10,000 to cover the costs of the designs provided by --a decision the Columbia Association board made at a July 14 meeting.

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Columbia Association President Phil Nelson said this week through a spokeswoman that Paumier’s input on Symphony Woods came during contract work he was doing overall on park and open space projects in Columbia.

Officially, the association will work with the Howard Hughes Corporation to develop plans for Symphony Woods, with the firm of Nelson said.

Paumier and his team have submitted concept drawings for the Lakefront project.

According to Tom Coale, a Columbia Association member who blogs on HocoRising.com, Paumier’s proposal includes having a more gentle slope to Lake Kittmaqundi, with a new, larger amphitheater at the Lakefront’s center.

Paumier told in July his vision for the Lakefront was inspired by Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark, a famous garden and entertainment attraction.

“I always had a dream we’d make the Lakefront a whole lot more attractive than it is,” Paumier said . “It’s the only public space of any consequence today. Its potential could be so much greater.”

There are no timelines for the Lakefront project at this time, Columbia Association officials said Monday.

In the podcast interview this month, Paumier added that his team in its efforts was “not trying to protect anything, we’re trying to build on what’s here.”

To listen to the entire podcast, click here.

Patch editor Lisa Rossi contributed to this story.

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