Columbia
As you probably know, my hometown of Columbia, Maryland is a passion of mine. I grew up here, I am raising my family here and I volunteer my time as the Columbia Council Representative from Kings Contrivance on the CA Board of Directors.
Back in 2008, me and a group of family and friends came together to start Columbia 2.0, which engaged a younger generation in the debate for the future of Downtown Columbia. We had fun hosting events, making videos and getting our growing group involved directly by testifying before the County Council. We like to think we did our part to make sure younger voices
were heard through this blog and later our fb page.
The past few years, we’ve been pretty much inactive because things were happening so fast all around us, and we stopped to enjoy it for a minute. We ate and shopped at Whole Foods. We did yoga at Haven on the Lake. We moved into the Metropolitan, and this year we got to experience a beautifully renovated Merriweather Post Pavillion.
All of these projects have made a such a positive impact Downtown. You can feel it when you’re there. There’s people, there’s movement and there’s an energy that had been missing for a while. Everything seems to be connected, and it’s cool to witness.
But now, with important legislation being debated by the County Council, we felt compelled to re-activate the Columbia 2.0 network. We are going to be more active online and in person to hold our government and the developers accountable to our community vision. After all, that’s how we earned the title of Best Small City on the Planet Earth. Here is a video of some of the people that make it so great!
-Brian
Yes to Downtown
Last Thursday, I testified in favor of the joint recommendations on affordable housing and the tax increment financing legislation for Downtown Columbia. Below is my testimony. Feel free to comment.
Good evening, Council Chair Ball and members of the Howard County Council.
My name is Brian Dunn and I live at….in Kings Contrivance. Aside from college and a few years in Boston trying to convince my girlfriend (now wife) to move back to my hometown of Columbia, I have lived here my whole life. My parents were in that second wave of pioneers that came here looking to live the Rouse vision, and we certainly did. My experiences growing up here have shaped the person I am today.
I am here tonight to speak in favor of the Joint Recommendations on Affordable Housing and the Tax Increment Financing legislation.
I have listened to a lot of testimony and read newspaper stories, blogs and facebook posts about these two issues. I have spent over a decade engaged in advocacy for the revitalization of Downtown Columbia. The highpoint was the unanimous passage in 2010 of the General Plan Amendment that established the Downtown Columbia Plan.
That plan addresses just 380 acres in the center of Columbia and will include residences, office buildings, stores and restaurants, hotels, entertainment venues, cultural and civic institutions, as well as parks and other natural amenities. It will be transformative, and I can hardly wait.
As we look at the housing and TIF proposals, I ask myself a simple question: Will they advance the fulfillment of the revitalization of Downtown Columbia?
We can see that development is underway, that The Metropolitan is completed, and One Merriweather is making great progress, that other buildings have been started, but only somewhere between 5 and 10% of the plan has been completed.
To accelerate the revitalization, new and improved roads and public parking are critical. (Public parking for Merriweather Post Pavilion is long overdue.) Tax Increment Financing is a community used public financing tool, and we should use it now because the development it will support will generate enough new revenues to not only pay the debt but also fund other civic amenities in Columbia and elsewhere in Howard County.
As for the Joint Recommendation on Affordable Housing, it is obvious that the best solution is the solution that will work, that has the backing of the people needed to make it happen. The Joint Recommendations on Affordable Housing are the product of the county, the Housing Commission, the Columbia Downtown Housing Corporation and The Howard Hughes Corporation. All the players have agreed the recommendations will work and endorse them as a practical, efficient, effective way to provide more housing units at a quicker pace than would be provided if we depended upon the ups and downs of future residential development.
I thank you for all you do to advance the Downtown Columbia Plan and urge you to approve the Joint Recommendations on Affordable Housing and the Tax Increment Financing proposal.
-Brian
Numero Uno
Yesterday, Columbia was ranked #1 in Money’s “Best Places to Live in America” for 2016. We’ve made the list before, but this is the first time we’ve actually topped it.
As someone who grew up here and is now raising my family here, I couldn’t be more proud of my hometown. It was fun scrolling through my Facebook feed yesterday, as I read countless posts from old friends expressing similar feelings of pride over the ranking.
Of course, we Columbians have always known our town is the best, but it’s nice to have it official, if only for the next year!
-Brian
2 Hours to go
Late notice, but if you’re from around here, you probably already know that there’s a blog party at Union Jacks tonight from 5:30 to 7:30. Click here for more info. See ya’ll there.
-Brian
I Support CA’s Inner Arbor Plan. Do you?
If so, please sign this petition. The goal was to get at least 300 signatures by this Thursday, when the CA Board is scheduled to discuss and vote on the plan. I think there’s something like 226 right now. Please click the link, sign the petition and encourage your friends to do the same. This is too important to our future to delay.
-Brian
p.s. Here’s what we can continue to expect of Symphony Woods if we don’t act:
A World Class Plan for Symphony Woods
By now, I’m sure you’ve all heard about CA’s bold and innovative, “Inner Arbor” plan for Symphony Woods. If not, please read about it here.
First, let me say that I think Michael McCall has hit a home run with this plan, and I hope we can see his vision come to fruition as soon as possible. I’m glad CA realized that this was their chance to give Columbia something truly special, something that could be enjoyed by everyone in our community for generations to come.
The Inner Arbor plan masterfully incorporates art, music, theater, food and culture into the natural setting of the woods. It provides a place where people can gather to enjoy the myriad of events that will take place there. It will not only be a regional and national attraction, but I predict it will be an international one as well.
I really have a hard time believing anyone could find fault in this plan, but we all know there is a small group of people amongst us who have vowed to do whatever it takes to sabotage real progress in Columbia. Some of them showed up last night and expressed anger at the process and their perceived notion that the plan was hatched in secrecy.
Former Boardmember Russ Swatek even went so far as to submit what has now become known as “The Swatek Memo”, which is a rambling 19 point document, “related to Symphony Woods development spanning the direction of CA, the process being employed, and the plan itself.”
If Russ and Company continue to rally against this plan, they will once again be showing their true no growth colors. Last night I testified in favor of the plan to the CA Board, and I encourage you to do the same. You can write to the entire CA Board here. Let them know you support moving forward on the Inner Arbor plan!
-Brian
Terps to the Big Ten?
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one feeling gobsmacked by the University of Maryland’s seemingly sudden decision to bail on the conference it helped found and emigrate over to the Big Ten. It all happened so fast.
As I was a student athlete at Maryland in the 90’s, it hit especially close to home. It’s been a while since I’ve written anything here, but I couldn’t hold it in on this news. I’m doing my best to keep an open mind about it as things develop.
I’ll be honest: I don’t know how good or bad of a move this is. We have no idea what the real state of our athletic program is, what other factors were involved, or what the future holds. We can speculate and we can gnash our teeth, but it doesn’t really do any good, does it? What’s done is done.
I have heard that the only sports programs that are making money are football and basketball; the rest are losing money. That equation doesn’t work long-term.
I gained some respect for President Walt Loh after hearing him speak at the press conference yesterday (some great sound bytes here). That’s as natural and earnest as I’ve ever seen him. He didn’t use the P.R.-speak that we’ve come to expect at press conferences. He didn’t say this was the best thing that’s ever happened and that God had blessed this union. He didn’t pretend that everything was great and there was no uncertainty about anything.
He pretty much came out and said that they’d done what they had to do because, for one, their financial situation was so dire. And, notably, he said that he his responsibility is to the school, not to “any conference.” He’s right, and sometimes we forget that the sports program, while it may be a defining part of the school, is just that: a part of the school—it’s one piece of a larger institution that has its own priorities and concerns.
I got the feeling that Loh saw this as “taking one for the team” (pun intended) because he knew this was the only thing to do. I give the guy a lot of credit for making and owning decision that he had to know would be unpopular, even upsetting, for a lot of people.
Another interesting moment was when Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney said, “You’re not joining a Midwestern conference. We’re moving here. We’re opening up offices on the East Coast. We’re not asking you to become us – we’re asking you to allow us to partner with you.” What?! Can you imagine anything even close to that coming from John Swofford or anyone at the ACC? (Oh, and I loved Athletic Director Kevin Anderson’s comment on a future relationship with Commissioner Swofford: “I believe there would be some awkwardness.” Yes, Kevin, there would be.)
Who knows how this will turn out? We can only wait and see. At the end of the day, though, I’m a Maryland fan no matter what. I’ll still be watching and supporting and hoping for the best.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. I know I haven’t written in a while, and I probably won’t once the holidays get started again! I hope you all have an awesome holiday season.
– Brian
Update: Greenberries New Sign is Up!
A couple weeks ago, I wrote about working with Greenberries to design, fabricate and install a custom LED channel letter sign. Yesterday, we installed it, along with one that we also fabricated for their neighbor, Edible Arrangements. Have a look:
And speaking of Greenberries, check them out getting some love from Fox5 in DC.
Owner Rachel Baliff has really tapped into something special with Greenberries. There was a constant stream of mothers, fathers, grandparents and of course children coming and going all day yesterday. I even signed my almost 5 year old daughter up for a cooking class next week!
I am absolutely thrilled to see a Columbia store doing so well, and I wish Rachel and her delightful staff all the best moving forward. Who knows, maybe they’ll outgrow this space like they did their old space, and I’ll have to help her out with another sign! And if you find yourself over near Oakland Mills or Snowden River Parkway, please be sure to stop in and check out this unique children’s boutique.
-Brian
Brand New Sign For Greenberries
Exactly one year ago today, Greenberries, an upscale, eco-chic children’s & maternity consignment boutique, relocated from The Kings Contrivance Village Center to it’s new home in the Snowden Center off Oakland Mills Rd. I took notice of the move for a number of reasons, mainly because I live in Kings and noticed right away when they left. I was relieved to hear that it was not because they didn’t make it, but that they had actually outgrown the space. So I was happy for them, but sad to see them leave our village center.
A short time after that, I was driving on Snowden River Parkway heading west toward Oakland Mills Rd when I happened to look over and noticed that there was a small vinyl banner hanging on the facade of the building to my right. I was driving too fast to notice what it said, but the next time I drove by, I was going slower and noticed that it was a Greenberries banner. Now at least I knew exactly where they had relocated.
But I am from Columbia, and I knew about them before I happened to glance over and notice the banner. The point is, it wasn’t so hard for me to find them. But I would wager that it’s almost impossible to find them if you’re not even vaguely familiar with the area. Compounding the problem was the huge new signs for 2 other Snowden-facing tenants immediately to the left of Greenberries.
I understand the importance of visibility for a business such as Greenberries, and with my background being in digital printing and signage, I approached Rachel Baliff, the owner of Greenberries and inquired if she was planning on getting a permanent sign.
Obviously she knows the importance of visibility too, and said that she had already begun planning for it. What came next was a seemingly endless process of waiting for approvals, designs, more approvals and permits, but I am proud to say that my company, CompletelyDunn, is a mere 2 weeks away from installing a custom, state of the art, LED channel letter sign for Greenberries. So when you’re driving on Snowden River Parkway, be sure to be on the lookout for it!
And if you have children, or grandchildren, be sure to get out and support this wonderful store!
-Brian
Oh Yeah!
Whole Foods is coming to town. My commentary? John DeWolf is the man. On behalf of everybody here in Columbia, I say thank you John!
-Brian
Getting it Done for the Port
With the widening of the Panama Canal scheduled to be completed in 2015, it’s great to hear Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake advancing the city to take full advantage of this unprecedented opportunity.
President of MTC Logistics, Harry Halpert, has coined the phrase “Global SeaPort” when describing the unique position of the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore in the international maritime community:
Ensuring that Maryland can join this National Gateway project includes moving forward on a key construction project: the development of a “Baltimore-Washington Rail Intermodal Facility” somewhere along the rail corridor between Baltimore and Washington. The new intermodal facility would allow containers to and from ships in the port to be transported to this location and quickly transferred to double-stacked trains, connecting our state to a wide array of new markets in an efficient manner. (Cargo transfer facility well worth state’s investment, Baltimore Sun by Harry Halpert.)
The “Global SeaPort” is a gem for any politician to strengthen and tout. You noticed how every GOP presidential candidate claimed to be the biggest supporter of expanding the Port of Charleston during the GOP primaries in South Carolina. Governor O’Malley certainly underscored the power of the port and its expansion in this ad during his last race for governor.
If Mayor Rawlings-Blake can speed up the process, make the port more immediately competitive and put an old industrial site back to work in this economy, people all around Maryland will see this no nonsense, impatient-for-results leadership as exactly the kind of character that port union Democrats, chamber of commerce Republicans and practical Independent voters want in an elected official- whether a local or a statewide candidate.
-Brian
Goodbye Emily
Yesterday, I attended the Howard Hughes Corporation’s event that sought to re-imagine what could be done with the Rouse (now Howard Hughes) building. It was a beautiful day, and everybody was in good spirits talking about what the new Downtown might look like.
My mood dimmed when I bumped into a friend who told me that Bring Back the Vision Founder Emily Lincoln had passed away over the weekend. The irony struck me that here we are envisioning the changes that Emily fought so hard for, only to find out she is gone.
I always enjoyed speaking with Emily because her passion to see Columbia become the city it was always meant to be really resonated with me personally. She was passionate about the changes that we’ve all been advocating for and she yearned to actually see them happen. To know that she won’t makes me very sad.
Emily was one of the first people I spoke to about getting involved in the downtown debate. A mutual friend had suggested I give her a call, and after speaking with her, I could tell she was one sharp woman. Her dedication definitely influenced me to learn all I could about the plan that was being shaped for Downtown.
I will miss Emily, and I hope that her family finds peace in this difficult hour.
-Brian
She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she was an honors graduate. After graduation she joined the staff of Senator Stewart Symington in Washington, DC. She moved to Howard County in 1969.
Recognized as a tenacious and devoted advocate of Columbia, Emily is best known for organizing Bring Back the Vision, an advocacy group that works to promote the thoughtful redevelopment of downtown Columbia. The group’s many accomplishments include providing forums for a community conversation about the future of Columbia. These forums included presentations by Roger K. Lewis architect, urban planner and author and Rollin Stanley urban planner, among others.
Emily received her professional license as a Realtor in 1977. She was instrumental in conceptualizing and founding the Howard County Real Estate Masters Club. She led the organization in a joint project with The Columbia Foundation and The Columbia Bank to supply affordable home purchase opportunities to low income families. As a Realtor, Emily understood the issues of affordable housing and was a tireless advocate for the development of housing opportunities within Howard County. She was an Associate Broker and member of the REMAX Hall of Fame.
Emily was a founder and President of the Howard County Economic Forum, Board member of Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland (FCS) and Chair of the Howard County Advisory Board of FCS. Emily also served on the Howard County Commission on Aging. She was a graduate of Leadership Howard County.
Emily was a leader in the transition of Columbia’s Family Life Center through its merger with Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland. While serving as chair of the Howard County Advisory Board of FCS, she led the effort to expand operations and establish a satellite office of FCS in North Laurel. This entity` evolved to become the North Laurel-Savage Multi-Service Center providing a variety of human services to a portion of the county, long under-served.
Emily is survived by her son John, grandsons Braeden and Gavin, of Charlotte, NC, sisters Nancy Graff of Cape Coral, FL and Genevieve Shryer of Springfield, MO and brother Roger H. Taylor II of Liberty, MO. She was predeceased by her parents and sister Carolyn Burridge of Baltimore, MD.
A life celebration was held at Emily’s home. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Emily Lincoln Family Fund established at The Columbia Foundation at 10630 Little Patuxent Parkway, Century Plaza #315, Columbia, MD 21044
C2.0 