THE SOUTHEAST COMPLETE STREETS PLAN

The Complete Streets Plan Grant Wins!

Baltimore Southeast CDC and Baltimore DOT have won a $400,000 grant for streetscape improvements in Highlandtown. The project will include expanded MTA bus loading areas, greening, bike parking, and upgraded bus shelters. The application was a joint effort between Southeast CDC and Baltimore DOT.  MTA, Southeast CDC and Baltimore DOT will be contributing funds to the project as well.

The Southeast Complete Streets Plan and our community involvement process was used as one of the project’s justifications in the grant application, so thanks again for being involved with this effort. More information and a public meeting dedicated to the Highlandtown project will be announced once a design consultant is selected later this year.

"In 2008, Baltimore City Department of Transportation (BCDOT) completed the Southeast Transportation Plan in order to assess the transportation impact of new development projects in southeast Baltimore and analyze various infrastructure improvements.... including roadway capacity expansion, signal timing improvements, new bike lanes, traffic flow changes, and new bus and water taxi service."

The Southeast Complete Streets Plan is a long range guide to improve the safety, livability and aesthetics of city streets while accomodating all transportation modes .  The plan will serve as a complete streets educational document, a toolkit for neighborhoods to use to create their own complete streets designs, and a sustainable infrastructure improvement guide for Southeast Baltimore.

The following issues are addressed in the plan:

• Green Streets/Beautification – Where can we add trees and new planting areas? How can we make our streets more attractive to encourage new residents and businesses to invest in our communities?
  

• Traffic Calming –Which neighborhood roads act as high speed through routes? How can we slow cars down while meeting other complete streets goals?
  

• Parking – In what neighborhoods do parking shortages affect resident’s quality of life? What are the ways we can increase parking while reducing the need to drive or own a car? How can we integrate angle parking into complete street designs?
  

• Outdoor spaces/Shared spaces – Are there opportunities for small “pocket parks” on neighborhood streets? Where can we encourage the sharing of space between automobiles, cyclists and pedestrians? How can we get more “eyes on the street” and create lively, safer neighborhoods?
  

• Urban Greenway/Way finding – How can we better connect the major community assets of Southeast Baltimore through a consistent network of walking routes?
  

The draft plan contains a wealth of data about SE Baltimore as well as ideas and plans for improving the city environment. Download a draft of the plan.

Public comments and participation are welcome. Questions and comments should be directed to Mark R. Brown, City Planner II (mark.brown@baltimorecity.gov).