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Residents weigh in on city's future
Session brings ideas on transit, parking

The Capital, March 16, 2008
By Shantee Woodards, Staff Writer

City officials need to change parking downtown, increase open space and upgrade public housing if they want Annapolis to remain viable well into the future.
The two topics e were just some of the suggestions residents gave at last night's open-microphone session at the Maryland Inn. A team of architects, urban planners and futurists will spend the rest of the week discussing the city's future and make a presentation to residents next month.

"I moved here because I was looking for an appealing town where I could raise my daughter," Suzanne Pogell, of the city's Historic District, told the crowd of at least 50 people. "There's something very (satisfying) about living and being a steward of an environment that is so old."

Ms. Pogell was one of 14 people who talked about things they liked about Annapolis and areas where it could improve. The discussion was part of the Conversations for Change lecture series, sponsored by the enVISIONing Annapolis Foundation, Annapolis Alive! and St. John's College.

Several times, the topic turned to the city's parking situation and transportation alternatives.

Resident Randy Bruns, a retired engineer, said cars are taking up too much space downtown. He suggested removing them from areas like City Dock, Market Street and Main Street. That additional space would allow for other development opportunities at City Dock, such as a park area.

He said the area also could become like Charlottesville, Va., which also has an amphitheater.

"This will make a more liveable space for residents ... and a more profitable area for shopkeepers," Mr.

Bruns said. "Everybody likes to be entertained."

Raj Williams, a planner, said she wants the city pursue light-rail options. Some locations he suggested included an area off Jennifer Road where there's an office tower and another near the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

"A light rail to the city should be a no-brainer," Ms. Williams said. "If people really push for light-rail connection, we will really see it in the next 20 years."

But John Alt, president of Village Technology, promoted the use of his company's SMARTram. Unlike previous streetcar designs, SMARTram does not share lanes with local traffic and has shorter waiting times.

"After people get off light rail (or other forms of mass transportation), they are only willing to walk a certain distance in a downtown business district," Mr. Alt said. "I'm hoping this technology fulfills the function in our urban (area)."

Public housing is another challenge the city faces, said Trudy McFall, chairman of Homes for America and founder of the community group Citizens for a Better Annapolis.

"Our public housing units have really never had comprehensive rehab," Ms. McFall said. "They've been patched to stay together to house the neediest folks in Annapolis."

Greg Stiverson, president of enVISIONing Annapolis Foundation, said he was pleased with the ideas that were presented. On April 19, the team of planners and futurists will hold a presentation at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.

"It's important we plan for the future, rather than deal with what just comes at us," Mr. Stiverson said. "(These discussions) will get the citizens of Annapolis to have a role in shaping the future of the town we love."

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