Baltimore, MD (August 6, 2012) – Committed to revitalizing established communities and improving the quality of life for Marylanders, Governor Martin O’Malley is funding $101,667 to enhance the West Baltimore MARC Station. Beautification and landscaping featuring artistic displays based upon community input will make the site more inviting, visually appealing, and improve its value as a community asset.
“Investing in our communities, engaging citizen input and establishing access to reliable and attractive transit are all keys to enhancing the quality of life for Marylanders, especially in established urban communities,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “This MARC enhancement will not only beckon drivers from cars to more environmentally friendly transit, it will also provide an opportunity for residents to beautify their community, while recognizing and celebrating its history.”
The planned changes consist of fabricating and installing glass vanes on light poles in the parking lot, a new mural, and decorative plaques highlighting historic figures relevant to the West Baltimore area. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will host public meetings to solicit community input into the final design. The new open space would be ideal for farmer markets and cultural events, providing a mutual benefit for riders and residents. The Maryland Transit Administration will also contribute to the cost of the overall $203,000 project.
“We are grateful for Governor O’Malley’s commitment to improving Baltimore’s public transit infrastructure, making it easier to live in many of Baltimore’s unique and growing neighborhoods,” said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “This project will complement ongoing efforts at the West Baltimore MARC including the City of Baltimore’s West Baltimore Bicycle and Pedestrian Loop, the site’s Farmer’s Market, the Red Line’s Economic Empowerment Small Business Incubator Initiatives and the Red Line project.”
The West Baltimore MARC Station Beautification enhancements are funded through the Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP), which funds non-traditional, community-based transportation-related projects. The Governor determines which projects qualify for funding based on need and potential benefit to the public. This year Maryland awarded six TEP projects totaling more than $4.1 million. The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration oversees the federal program, which has awarded more than $206 million for 270 projects in Maryland since the TEP program began in 1991.
This enhancement funding continues the momentum started by Governor O’Malley to revitalize the area surrounding the West Baltimore MARC station. In September 2010 he announced funding for the demolition of a portion of US 40 known as the “Highway to Nowhere” that physically separated neighborhoods when built in the early 1970’s. In June of this year, Governor O’Malley and the Board of Public Works approved a $6.7 million contract that will allow for the reconnection of Payson Street and construction of two new parking lots that will benefit users of the West Baltimore MARC station and the future Baltimore Red Line.
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