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Town reports progress on train-station work and Main Street improvements
Summary
Staff and the county liaison updated the commission on train-station coordination with the Maryland Historic Trust and several downtown streetscape and parking projects, including removable bollards on Oklahoma Avenue and planned pedestrian work on Main Street.
Carl Carlisle, the county liaison, and Kevin from town planning summarized multiple downtown and transportation-related projects that are active or nearing construction.
Carl said discussions with the Maryland Historic Trust are focused on an enclosure proposed for the rear platform at the train station and on ways to allow business needs to be met without harming the station's historic integrity. "Right now, I think most of the discussions are about the enclosure to the rear platform area, and just finding a way to do that that can work for the business but also maintains the historic integrity," Carlisle said.
Staff also listed a set of site and streetscape improvements: Baldwin Drive and Central Station parking-lot improvements; Oklahoma Avenue pavers with removable bollards to allow temporary pedestrian-only closures during events; new specialized pavement and landscaping near the Visitor Center; and planned pedestrian-focused improvements at the south end of Main Street. Staff said some of the work (shared-park and 7611 Main Street improvements) may begin early next year but staff prefers to avoid construction during the holidays.
The French Twist rear addition has received Historic District Commission approval and staff expects a formal site plan submittal to the planning commission. Kevin said property owners at 7306 Springfield Avenue (the service garage) intend to proceed with the approved site plan and seek new tenants after cleanup.
On roadway jurisdiction, staff said the town has requested Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) to accept Maryland 851 (Springfield Avenue and a segment of Main Street) into the town's road system and to provide funding for right-of-way and sidewalk improvements. Staff cautioned the request is not expected to produce immediate action and could take months to process.
No formal action or vote on these projects was taken at the Oct. 6 meeting; staff requested commissioners raise questions and noted additional details will be posted as projects progress.
