Takoma Park Newsletter
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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. .” Margaret Mead (1901-1978) Published by the City of Takoma Park www.cityoftakomapark.org July 2004 Old Town Takoma Parking Garage New City Manager Would Be Public-Private Partnership By Virginia Myers Kelly replaced with new businesses. While no firm costs on the facility have been John Urciolo is thinking outside the box — or, determined, Sara Daines, Takoma Park’s director more precisely, outside the striped parking lines of community and economic development, says on the spots in his parking lot in Old Town the price tag was estimated at $950,000 last Sep- Takoma Park. Meant to exclusively serve pa- tember. Final figures would fluctuate with the trons of the strip of merchants in the buildings he type of facade built and with inflation. owns, from Summer Delights to Everyday Gour- The City and Urciolo have not come to a final met and Pizza Movers, the lot winds up full of agreement, but he expects to break ground within vehicles from people with business across the a year and, in fact, says he may abandon the idea street or even blocks away. Urciolo, along with altogether if the project takes any longer. Once the Old Takoma Business Association, says more begun, construction of the facility would take parking is needed. So rather than building a approximately one year. parking facility for just his tenants, he is propos- As currently proposed, Urciolo would build ing to build one in partnership with the City the lot, bearing all costs. Upon its completion, the useable by all Old Town. City would take over and begin to pay Urciolo Urciolo says he first approached Takoma Park back for what would become a municipal facility. about parking four years ago. Now, the City Enforcement of parking meters would be a City Council is considering his proposal for a three- responsibility, as would maintenance such as strip- level, 156- to 158-space parking facility. Cars ing and snow removal. would enter the structure from Carroll Ave. Takoma Park has already paid, through state Takoma Park’s new city manager, Barbara Burns Matthews, through the existing alley. They would exit onto funds, for engineering and traffic studies; the City starts work July 12. See story, page 3. Eastern Ave., behind Pizza Movers. The existing would also finance parking meters and other start- row of businesses would be left intact, though the wooden “deck” on Laurel would probably be Continued on page 10 Old Town Joins Main Street Independence Day Celebration Revitalization Program Comes On July 5 This Year The Main Street program uses a four- At the grand age of 115 years, By Diana Hoover point approach to downtown revital- Takoma Park’s annual Indepen- Takoma Park has been designated a ization. The principal goals: enhanc- dence Day celebration rolls out participant in the Main Street Mary- ing the physical appearance of the com- of Takoma Junction Monday, July land Program, a comprehensive pro- mercial district by rehabilitating his- 5 at 10 a.m. With more than 50 gram to revitalize downtown business toric buildings and promoting new units, the opening parade marches areas. Along with three other cities in construction; building consensus and through the red-white-and-blue- Maryland, the Takoma Park received cooperation among the community’s bedecked streets in the morning, the honor April 20 in Frederick, at the groups and individuals, marketing the leading to an evening filled with Preservation Maryland Conference. traditional commercial district; and music, prizes, and fireworks. The Main Street Maryland Program, strengthening the town’s existing eco- The celebration is a commu- created in 1998, is based on concepts nomic base. nity event based largely on vol- developed more than 20 years ago by In meetings and site visits sponsored unteer energy and donations, so the National Main Street Center, a by OTBA and the Takoma Park Depart- organizers strongly urge support- project of the National Trust for His- ment of Housing and Community De- ers to purchase Independence toric Preservation. velopment, business owners will get a Day raffle tickets and help out in Says Bob Atwood, president of the chance to discuss the challenges they other ways. Old Takoma Business Association face. “Through technical assistance and The parade forms at 9 a.m. and (OTBA), “It’s a big honor. There are organizational development, busi- departs from its launch point at only 1,400 Main Street designations nesses will be able to improve the area Photo by Clyde Lassell Ethan Allen Ave. (Rt. 410) and across the country. There are only 16 in Carroll Ave, at 10 a.m. Perennial Maryland, and now we’re one of them.” Continued on page 10 20912 Takoma Takoma Park, MD 7500 7500 Maple Ave. Mayor Mayor & Council favorites return to the Takoma parade year after year, so look for the Trinidad & Tobago Steel Band, dcMotors, the Mecca Temple #10 drum POSTAL CUSTOMER POSTAL Inside this Issue and bugle corps and drill team, and the Lawnmowers Against Global Warming. Community Center Budget, Year by Year Page 5 ECRWSS Evening events will be held at the Takoma Where the money comes from and where it has gone Park Middle School’s Lee Jordan Field on Piney Sen. Ida Ruben Honored By City Council Page 11 Branch Road, and will feature a variety of mu- Sen. Ida Ruben Honored By City Council Page 11 PRE-SORT STANDARD PRE-SORT The Maryland state senator often goes to bat for the City. TAKOMA PARK, MD PERMIT NO. sical performances. Lemonface, a teenage U.S. POSTAGE U.S. power-pop band, appeals to the youngsters. JazzFest Busts Out Page 12 PAID The Takoma Park Community Band will play From gypsy to Western swing, the festival gets eclectic. patriotic selections for the holiday. The climax 4422 of the evening plays comes in a shimmering sky, Is it Time for Energy Conservation, Again? Page 12 Utility bills are rising, another reason to conserve. Continued on page 5 Page 2 July 2 0 0 4 Takoma Park Newsletter CITY COUNCIL 30, 2005 (VOTING FOR: Porter, Barry, Elrich, Mizeur, CALENDAR Seamens, Williams; ABSENT: Austin-Lane). 1st Reading Ordinance #2004-14 was accepted unanimously, adopting the tax rate for FY05, begin- MONDAY, JULY 5 - OFFICES CLOSED IN OB- ning July 1 and ending on June 30, 2005 (VOTING SERVANCE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR: Porter, Barry, Elrich, Mizeur, Seamens, Will- iams; ABSENT: Austin-Lane). TUESDAY, JULY 6 - PRESENTATION, INTER- 1st Reading Ordinance #2004-15 was accepted VIEWS, SPECIAL SESSION & WORKSESSION unanimously, approving and adopting a budget, Presentation: To receive a copy of the legislation or to learn more about including FY05-09 Capital Improvements Program - Councilmember Williams’ Update on the Com- a particular resolution, contact Cathy Waters, the City (CIP) for FY05, beginning July 1 and ending on June munity Center Construction Project Clerk, at 301-891-7206 or [email protected]. 30, 2005 (VOTING FOR: Porter, Austin-Lane, Barry, Elrich, Mizeur, Seamens, Williams). MONDAY, JULY 12 - Reception for departing Monday, May 17 - Special Session: 1st Reading Ordinance #2004-16 was accepted City Manager Richard Finn and new City Man- Resolution #2004-18 was adopted unanimously, unanimously, adopting the FY05 Police Pay Plan ager Barbara Burns Matthews (Municipal Build- proclaiming May 27 as Rachel Carson Day (VOTING (VOTING FOR: Porter, Austin-Lane, Barry, Elrich, ing, 7:00 p.m.) FOR: Porter, Austin-Lane, Barry, Elrich, Mizeur, Mizeur, Seamens, Williams). Seamens, Williams). 1st Reading Ordinance #2004-17 was accepted MONDAY, JULY 12 - PRESENTATION, REGU- unanimously, adopting the FY05 AFSCME Employee Monday, May 24 - Regular Meeting: LAR MEETING & WORKSESSION Pay Plan (VOTING FOR: Porter, Austin-Lane, Barry, 1st Reading Ordinance #2004-12 was accepted Presentation: Elrich, Mizeur, Seamens, Williams). unanimously, authorizing second amendment to - Councilmember Williams’ Update on the Com- 1st Reading Ordinance #2004-18 was accepted the FY04 Budget (VOTING FOR: Porter, Barry, Elrich, munity Center Construction Project unanimously, adopting the FY05 Management Mizeur, Seamens, Williams; ABSENT: Austin-Lane). and Non-Union Staff Pay Plan (VOTING FOR: Resolution #2004-19 was adopted unanimously, MONDAY, JULY 19 - PRESENTATION & Porter, Austin-Lane, Barry, Elrich, Mizeur, effecting appointments to the Commission on Land- WORKSESSION Seamens, Williams). lord-Tenant Affairs (COLTA) (VOTING FOR: Porter, Presentation: 1st Reading Ordinance #2004-19 was accepted Barry, Elrich, Mizeur, Seamens, Williams; ABSENT: - Councilmember Williams’ Update on the Com- unanimously, adopting the FY05 Part-Time and Austin-Lane). munity Center Construction Project Seasonal Staff Pay Plan (VOTING FOR: Porter, Aus- Resolution #2004-20 was adopted unanimously, tin-Lane, Barry, Elrich, Mizeur, Seamens, Williams). effecting appointments to the Facade Advisory Board MONDAY, JULY 26 - PRESENTATION, PUB- 2nd Reading Ordinance #2004-12 was accepted (VOTING FOR: Porter, Barry, Elrich, Mizeur, LIC HEARING & REGULAR MEETING unanimously, authorizing second amendment to Seamens, Williams; ABSENT: Austin-Lane). Presentation: the FY04 Budget (VOTING FOR: Porter, Austin- Resolution #2004-21 was adopted unanimously, - Councilmember Williams’ Update on the Com- Lane, Barry, Elrich, Mizeur, Seamens, Williams). munity Center Construction Project effecting appointments to the Noise Control Board Public Hearing: (VOTING FOR: Porter, Barry, Elrich, Mizeur, Monday, June 14 - Special Session: - (tentative) Rent Stabilization Seamens, Williams;