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HVBF Monthly Meeting - Facilities,
Security, Transportation Roundtable Host: Loyola College in Maryland Attending: Robert Brando, Susquehanna Bank Welcome to prospective members Robert Brando, Susquehanna Bank, Mike Shaver and Jon Capan of Bonds, Inc. and to new members Jim Flannery, Liberty Property Trust; Courtney Jenkins, Trammell Crow Company; and Laura Kyle, Marriott Courtyard Hunt Valley. We are always delighted to have Delegate Martha Klima and Craig Forrest attend this Roundtable that concerns the Hunt Valley area. Our first presentation was from Craig Fetzer, Chief of Communications, State Highway Administration. Craig focused on cell tower use. The towers are a principle communications support for public safety. They connect state agencies through wireless communications. This has become increasingly important since the events of 9/11. Delegate Martha Klima reported that at a recent meeting with Tom Ridge, Director of the Office of Homeland Security, the compatibility of communications among the individual states was of concern. Governor Ridge pointed out that the role of communications in public safety was a work in progress. Craig also pointed out that these SHA towers are available to the private sector for communications. This use would lessen the demand for construction of additional towers and the controversy they create with local community residents. Craig can be reached at cfetzer@sha.state.md.us. Delegate Martha Klima reported that on Monday, July 8 at10:00 a.m. there will be a celebration to begin the construction of the light rail double tracking project at parking lot H at the Raven’s stadium. Martha also reported that help is coming at Shawan and York Roads. Advertisements for bids to improve the intersection went out on June 18 with work to start on September 30 in a 60-day completion program. New turn lanes will help with some of the problems. The long anticipated extension of Shawan Road to Papermill Road will have to wait until after the November elections when the process can be re-initiated. Jim Flannery of Liberty Property Trust reported on the construction activity at Wight Ave. and York Road. The predecessor of Liberty Property Trust was Rouse & Associates, a major developer in the Hunt Valley Area. Millennium Chemical will be headquartered in the building on the west end of the area. The completion date for the Millennium building is scheduled for November 1. A self-storage facility will be located in the building on the York Road side. Silver Spring Mining Company, a restaurant, will also be located on the York Road side. Transfer of a liquor license is delaying progress on the restaurant. Other construction dates will be market driven. Randall Scott of SHA reported that the intersection of Schilling Road and York Road does not qualify for a traffic control light. Surveys of the traffic at that intersection substantiated the decision. Randall commented on the coming road construction at York and Shawan and on Timonium Road at the I-83 overpass. Lt. Marty Lurz reported that laptops still remain the theft item of choice. Marty will forward to us any descriptions of suspects that may help in apprehending the perpetrators. |