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 …
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 …
Thursday, December 6, 2012
County's recreation and parks director says, "We know we have to figure out a way to reduce noise impact."
After nearby residents complained about excessive noise from sports events at Blandair Park during a community meeting last week, Howard County Recreation and Parks said it would develop a plan to deal with the noise. "We know we have to figure out a way to reduce the noise impact," said John Byrd, recreation and parks director. Byrd said his department will be looking at when and how leagues use amplified sound, how late the lights belong on and whether the 11 p.m. curfew for the park is too late. About 70 residents who live near the newly opened park expressed their frustations to Byrd and recreation and parks staff during a community meeting at the Other Barn in Oakland Mills last week, according to Sandy Cedarbaum, Village Manager for…
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
A plan would add more than 50 miles to Columbia's pathway system.
It's a number every realtor in Columbia knows—there's 93 miles of pathways that meander through the city, connecting everything from residential communities to village centers. But that number could change, as Columbia Association looks to increase the pathway system by 51.5 miles. The effort would be coordinated between CA and Howard County to increase connections on the pathways as well as signage and ease of travel, according to the plan that was submitted to CA's Board of Directors in September. The county's responsibility exists on roads owned by the county, according to the plan. Connecting Columbia—the group of CA staff, residents and consultants that created the plan—noted in its plan it has coordinated its efforts with the …
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 ›