BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, May 5, 2022) — Mayor Brandon M. Scott and Baltimore City Department of Transportation Director Steve Sharkey have announced the development of a new and improved community-led placemaking program that will allow community-based organizations to implement creative enhancements in city public rights-of-way.
“This collaborative placemaking program supports community-led, equity-focused efforts to make social, physical and economic changes in city neighborhoods through the use of art and culture,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “By working directly with local stakeholders, we are able to transform public spaces into unique areas that beautify city neighborhoods and strengthen connections to Baltimore communities.”
"The community placemaking program consolidates and improves upon several existing programs, empowering everyday people with new, affordable, and bureaucratically simpler ways to make their neighborhood streets safer and more attractive," said Councilman Ryan Dorsey, District 3, who has championed this issue. "It’s also critical part of retaining and encouraging more of the hugely successful outdoor dining installations created throughout the pandemic.”
Placemaking projects and art installations are creative initiatives that can take many forms. New changes in this program expand the variety of project types allowed, and has eliminated some requirements to make it easier for community groups to install placemaking enhancements. Special projects along city streets, alleys, and sidewalks help to beautify Baltimore neighborhoods, calm traffic, and increase public space for pedestrians.
"DOT's Community-Led Placemaking Program will make it easier for make it easier for neighborhoods to build healthier, safer, and greener streets that connect communities," said Patrice Kingsley, Board Chair of Bikemore. "Bikemore is proud to have partnered with Baltimore City Department of Transportation and Mayor Brandon Scott in making recommendations to streamline this new application process and give neighbors more agency over their streets."
Placemaking projects may include:
- Artistic paintings on streets or sidewalks;
- Landscape plantings;
- Planters and barriers for traffic calming or tactical urbanism;
- Signs such as community gateway signs and educational signs;
- Parklets or temporary public spaces built within the roadway;
- Special projects such as art installations, specialty lighting, or other unique urban designs.
“Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street is delighted by the Department of Transportation's announcement that it has established an equitable and fair system to empower community organizations to implement creative projects in City rights-of-way," said Daniel P. Doty, Executive Director, Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street, Inc. "We thank the DOT, Mayor Brandon Scott, and the tireless efforts of Councilperson Ryan Dorsey for the Community-Led Placemaking Program, which allows us not only a clear and feasible way to retain the incredibly-popular Design for Distancing spaces that we developed on our Main Street, but also a realistic path forward to create even more spaces like them.”
Placemaking projects are funded by the applicants, and pro-bono design assistance or grants may be available for neighborhoods that need support. BCDOT Planners can also provide individual guidance to help make these projects successful.
Organizations can learn more about this initiative, see enhancement examples, and apply to install their own placemaking projects in city communities by visiting the program website.
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