The Terrasa Times
Jen Terrasa
Jen Terrasa's District 3 Newsletter
October 2016
Downtown Legislation

Legislation for Downtown Columbia is still being hotly debated as we head into the month of November with a vote scheduled for the 7th. 
The Howard Hughes Corporation has continually promised to provide parking for Merriweather and to "bring jobs, retail, restaurants, cultural amenities, and a full spectrum of affordable housing to Downtown Columbia." And all this, they claim, at no cost to you!
If that sounds too good to be true, that's because it is! In exchange for everything they have promised, Howard Hughes is actually asking the Howard County taxpayer for a lot -- for increased density, decreased parking, a 40-year agreement, a minimal responsibility for affordable housing, and for $170 million in public subsidies!  They fail to mention that before they filed their alternative proposal for affordable housing in Downtown, I filed mine which is also currently pending before the Council and scheduled for a vote on November 7th.  Unlike their plan, my plan is simple. It calls for at least 15% affordable housing for all future Downtown residential development, while ensuring that Downtown Columbia develops with a full spectrum of housing options as envisioned in the Downtown Columbia Plan.
HHC has changed the game on us, not the other way around.  In 2010, they introduced a plan for 5500 units, more than 5 ½ million sf of office and retail, and a hotel and conference center... with minimal setbacks from roads and 20 story buildings among other things.  The claim was that we had to approve this much development in order to incentivize the type of private investment we needed to preserve Merriweather and "continue to enhance Jim Rouse's vision of Columbia as socially responsible and environmentally friendly place for people of all ages, incomes and backgrounds" and to have that vibrant Downtown everyone talked about. 
But now, they have changed the focus from these important community and people centered goals to a focus on achieving the maximum development program, and they claim that without a $170 million TIF, this development program cannot be achieved.  But keep in mind that 5500 units, 20 story buildings, and intense retail and office competing with our existing businesses were never the goal, they were the means for achieving our goals.
Now, turning that conversation on its head, Howard Hughes tells us that the only way to achieve this level of density and intensity is to entirely rely on structured parking which they claim cannot be done without a TIF.  However, many have come to us with examples in Howard County and beyond of successful structured parking built without TIFs.  And we know there are plenty of examples of successful, vibrant, sustainable but less intense urban Downtown developments both in and out of Maryland.  
Columbia was just named Money Magazine's #1 BEST PLACE TO LIVE for 2016 which only validated what we already know ... Columbia, still following the original Rouse vision, is already a pretty special, successful, amazing, and desirable place to live.  We cannot and should not (and frankly don't need to) compromise our values and our future to get someone to invest in us!   That is why I do not support the joint proposal for affordable housing, and instead I have an alternate proposal for affordable housing that I believe will better serve Howard County. And that is why I cannot and will not support the $170 Million TIF as proposed.

Meeting about Improvements to the US-29 Bridge


The Howard County Office of Transportation and the Department of Public Works wants to hear from you about design improvements to the US29 bicycle and pedestrian bridge between Oakland Mills and Downtown Columbia! Concept plans for improvements to the bridge will be presented at an information session

The information session will take place on Wednesday, November 2 from 6:30-8:00 pm in the Columbia/Ellicott City Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive in Ellicott City.

If you are unable to attend and would like to view the concepts and/or have questions, you should contact Mr. David Cookson with the Office of Transportation at 410-313-3842 or email dcookson@howardcountymd.gov .

For questions or more information about Capital Project B-3863, contact Lisa Brightwell, Public Works Customer Service, at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov.

Update on Ellicott City
Historic Ellicott City's Main Street has been reopened to the public! Both pedestrians and vehicular traffic can now traverse Main Street again. Parking will be limited to Parking Lot D and additional parking outside of the County Circuit Court. A number of stores have been reopened for business along Main Street.

CA Offering Student Exchange Trips

Are you a teen or a parent of a teen who is interested in travel? Columbia Association is offering student exchange programs to France and Spain through their annual summer Sister Cities High School program! They are holding five informational sessions  from 7 to 8 pm at CA Headquarters, 6310 Hillside Court, located off Stevens Forest Road near the county vehicle emissions inspection station.

These sessions will take place on:
  • Thursday, Nov. 10
  • Wednesday, Nov. 30
  • Thursday, Dec. 8
  • Tuesday, Jan. 10
  • Wednesday, Jan. 25 
There are scholarships available for Columbia residents who qualify. The application deadline is Feb. 17. Applications will be online in mid-November at ColumbiaAssociation.org/teenexchange

For more information, contact Laura Smit at 410-715-3162 or International@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Bike with a Cop

A special Halloween-themed Bike with a Cop is being offered by the Howard County Police Department Pathway Patrol! 5-12 year olds and their parents can join the Patrol as they ride around the Columbia Lakefront. Feel free to wear your costume!

Time slots are available on October 29 from 9 am - 12 pm 
Call 410-313-2207 to register
BWI DC Metroplex Community Meeting with FFA

Concerned about airplane noise in your area? The Maryland Aviation Administration is hosting an open house to review aircraft arrival and departure procedures in the vicinity of BWI. Workshop stations staffed by FAA experts will be featured, as well as opportunities to speak one on one with FAA Representatives and provide feedback.

The Open House will be held on October 27, 2016 between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m at Lindale Middle School, 415 Andover Road, Linthicum, Maryland 21090.


For more information, contact the Director of BWI's Office of Real Estate and Noise Abatement Ellen Sample at 410-859-7925 or email her at dsample@bwiairport.com
Howard County 50+EXPO

Howard County's 18 th annual 50+EXPO will be taking place at the end of October! If you are over 50 or know somebody over 50, come out and enjoy a variety of vendors and exhibitors geared towards older adults and their families and caregivers. This year will provide a focus on the use of technology for the 50+ crowd!

The EXPO will take place on Monday, October 31 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road in Columbia, Md.

Admission is $1 and free parking and shuttle transportation is available from the lower level Sears parking lot at The Mall in Columbia.

For more information and a full schedule of the day's events, click here!
Halloween Happenings

It's October, and that means Halloween Happenings at Amherst House are almost here! Bring your family for snacks and cider as you enjoy performances, tick-or-treating, and even a walk through a haunted house.


Halloween Happenings will be taking place Friday, October 28 from 5:00-8:00 pm.

Just Jazzin' Bridge to Housing Stability Fundraiser

Get on your dancing shoes for Bridge's to Housing Stability's Just Jazzin' fundraiser! Three soulful jazz artists will be featured at the event and all proceeds go towards the prevention of homelessness and working towards housing stability for Howard County households.

November 5th, 2016
7:00 - 10:00 pm

Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way,
Columbia, MD, 20145

Tickets are $65, Tables are $520

Public Meeting on Stevens Forest Road/Farewell Road Intersection Project

Howard County's Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 7:45 p.m. at The Other Barn, 5851 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia, to discuss improvement options for the intersection at Stevens Forest Road and Farewell Road. Options include installation of a roundabout or improvements to medians and turn bays.
 
While there will be no formal presentation, the proposed concept plans will be available to view and DPW staff members will be on hand to explain the proposed plans, answer any questions and gather public comments.  
 
Those unable to attend the meeting who would like to view the proposed plans and/or have questions should contact Mr. Buck Bohmer with DPW's Traffic Engineering Division at 410-313-5748 or email bubohmer@howardcountymd.gov .
Columbia Association Movies and Events 
October 2016 Schedule

In the link below is the schedule of CA events throughout the rest of October.

Click here for more information.
Jen Terrasa | County Council District 3 | (410) 313-2001 | JTerrasa@howardcountymd.gov |

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