Monday, April 1, 2013
The CA Board elected Gregg Schwind and Ed Coleman to serve on the board that will guide the development of Symphony Woods.
The Columbia Association Board moved another step closer to begin implementing the Inner Arbor Plan for Symphony Woods last week after electing two of its own board members to serve on the Inner Arbor Trust. The Trust will manage the development of the plan and will apply to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit so it can accept personal and corporate donations to help fund the park, according to CA. Hickory Ridge representative Gregg Schwind and Long Reach representative Ed Coleman were elected to the board after a series of ballots at Thursday night's meeting, according to an Explore Howard report. Schwind said he favored every aspect of the plan, while Coleman said his skepticism toward the plan will be an asset to the Trust, according to the …
Thursday, February 14, 2013
The conceptual Inner Arbor Plan for Symphony Woods was approved by CA's board of directors on Thursday night.
The Columbia Association's Board of Directors voted to approve the Inner Arbor Plan for Symphony Woods that has been called bold by its supporters and criticized for a lack of specifics by its detractors. "This concept plan sets a direction," said Gregg Schwind, the board member for Hickory Ridge. The conceptual plan that features an arts village, elevated walkway, wooded amphitheater and an iconic sculpture will now officially be pursued by the Columbia Association, replacing the pathway and fountain design previously approved by CA. In addition, CA will pursue the formation of a 501(c)(3) trust to help pay for the plan, as well as designate Symphony Woods as the preferred location for a new CA headquarters building. During a contentious…
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Residents make their feelings known in letters and comments.
The Inner Arbor Plan to develop Symphony Woods was revealed in January as a bold solution to creating an iconic park in a growing city, but many residents disagree with how it has been handled and the plan itself. Columbia Association's Board of Directors may vote on the plan as soon as its meeting on Thursday. The public meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Columbia Association building (10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia). The agenda has alloted 45 minutes for public discussion, as well as 60 minutes for the Strategic Implementation Committee to discuss the plan. In a letter to the board, CA's president Phil Nelson recommended that the board should adopt the Inner Arbor Plan, set Symphony Woods as the preferred location for a new CA office …
Monday, February 11, 2013
The plan is being hailed by supporters as a major achievement, but blasted by critics for a lack of specifics.
The Inner Arbor Plan to develop Symphony Woods is being closely examined as Columbia Association's Board of Directors moves closer to voting on it, possibly as soon as their Feb. 14 meeting. The new plan is being hailed by CA and county officials as a bold step that could make Symphony Woods an iconic city park. But specifics about the plan, such as cost and detailed design plans, have not been discussed by CA, which notes the plan is still in a conceptual stage. The conceptual plan inclues an Arts Village, which its designer, Michael McCall of Strategic Leisure, said would contain a new CA headquarters with underground theaters below it, a space for restaurants and fast food, a public meeting house, and a raised pathway connecting it to a…
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Do you support the new plan for the park?
Columbia Association's new Inner Arbor Plan represents a dramatic shift from its original plan for Symphony Woods. Gone are the simple pathways and central fountain, replaced with a cluster of buildings coined the Arts Village, an "iconic" sculpture, an elevated tree walkway and a parking garage. A change.org petition asking the Columbia Association Board of Directors to approve the new Inner Arbor Plan for Symphony Woods garnered more than 130 signatures in its first three days on the web. The petition was started by Columbia resident Ian Kennedy, who is also the communications director at the Horizon Foundation. Ten years ago, Kennedy formed a group with a friend called "Save Merriweather" that lobbied General Growth Properties from …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
A critical discussion of the plan has already begun on local blogs.
Whether you love it or hate it, Columbia Association is inviting local residents to speak out on the new "Inner Arbor Plan" for the development of Symphony Woods on Thursday night. The meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at CA Headquarters in Town Center, will include a presentation of the new plan, as well as an overview of the trust that CA plans to establish to pay for the developments. The Inner Arbor Plan features a new Arts Village, a tree canopy walkway, restaurants, a children's theater and an "iconic" sculpture, among other features. The new plan was formally announced on Friday and has received praise -- and criticism from at least one local advocate. Local blogger Julia McCready wrote in a recent post, "I am excited about the new …
Friday, January 18, 2013
"Inner Arbor Plan" plan features a space for Columbia Association’s headquarters, a canopy walkway, a public event space, an amphitheater, new plazas and an enhanced botanical garden.
Columbia Association announced this week they have scrapped their old plan to redevelop Symphony Woods and created a new one that features new buildings and walkways that officials say will create an “iconic” city park in Downtown Columbia. “We think this will satisfy three key areas,” said CA president Phil Nelson, “protect the environment, provide entertainment and showcase the arts.” “We’re excited about new apartments and the mall expansion, but this is something the community can be passionate about,” said CA board member Tom Coale, who represents Dorsey’s Search. Nelson and Coale said the impetus for the redesign came from criticism at community meetings that they weren't thinking big enough on the original plan and that it wasn't …
H.R. Pufnstuf
1:36 pm on Friday, February 15, 2013
He didn't say that taking longer was a "better" process, so don't put words in the mouth of someone else. He said it "normally" takes several months to a year. How was CA able to make an informed decision that much faster than normal? What efficiency did they magically discover in their processes? more ›