Streetscape

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Charles Villager Fall 2006

Streetscape concept for Charles Village Projects (click on image to enlarge)

Streetscape Update--Summer 2004

The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) will introduce legislation in September to fund the proposed Charles Village streetscape project using tax increment financing (TIF). The final design of the streetscape is still underway, but is consistent with the design concepts presented to numerous community organizations over the last year including the Charles Village Task Force, the Charles Village Civic Association, the North Charles Village Business Association and the Design Review Committee of the Charles Village PUD. The major elements of the streetscape design as preferred by the community include:

A design encompassing both the new development and the existing business district. The proposed streetscape will include the 3100, the 3200 and 3300 blocks of Saint Paul Street along with the unit block of East 33rd. This comprehensive design will integrate the new development with the existing business district and help create a stronger neighborhood identity for Charles Village.

Wide sidewalks to accomodate outdoor dining. Creating a more pedestrian friendly environment was a top priority for many of the community members participating in the design review process. On the west side of the Saint Paul Street, on both the 3100 & 3200 blocks, the curb line will remain the same. In the 3200 block, this will result in a sidewalk of almost 25' wide---perfectly sized to accomodate outdoor cafe tables and dining. On the east side of Saint Paul Street, the curb lines on both the 3100 & 3200 blocks will be extended by about 18 inches, resulting in a sidewalk width of more than 15'. This too is wide enough to permit outdoor dining and the increased width in the 3100 block will open the pedestrian space up more.

Improved pedestrian Safety. Another priority issue identified in the design review process. The proposed plan includes cross walk improvements at all intersections within the streetscape area. Crosswalks are to be of a different material and include pedestrian signals. The City will undertake a warrant study to determine whether additional traffic signals on 32nd Street are needed. SBER believes that a light at 32nd and Saint Paul will slow traffic down and create a more friendly pedestrian environment.

Restoration of the Olmsted Design. Extending the 33rd Street median between Saint Paul Street and Charles will recreate the original landscape design which envisioned 33rd Street as a leafy boulevard. The extended median will serve to better connect 33rd Street to the Homewood campus.

Charles Village Light Fixtures

The image at left shows some of the existing lighting design standards for the City and Johns Hopkins University along with proposed lighting for the Charles Village neighborhood. Click on the image for an enlarged version.

NCV PUD Design Guidelines