January 2006 Charrettes - Update
On January 25th and 26th, in conjunction with the Maryland National Capital Park & Planning Commission’s (”M-NCPPC”) Sub-Region I Master Plan rewrite process, Konterra sponsored two evenings of public charrettes providing a forum for local residents, homeowner associations, elected officials and planners, to provide feedback about future development at Konterra Town Center.
The meetings were led by Joey Scanga of Calthorpe Associates, who explained the charrette process and presented examples of the evolution of town centers and retail since the 1900’s. M-NCPPC officials, including Maria Martin, Joe Chang, Kierre McCune and Dineene O’Connor gave a presentation illustrating the Prince George’s County General Plan, the Sub-Region I Masterplan update process, and their current status
The participants, in groups of approximately eight per table, were provided with large base maps of Konterra, and given colored chips that represented the different uses, types, and densities that are part of the Sub-Region I Master Plan for Konterra. Participants were then asked to place the chips on the map in ways that expressed the group’s expectations for the Town Center and for the neighboring Regional Center and Residential area.
Throughout the process, elected officials such as Councilmen Tom Dernoga and Fred Small, and State Senator John Giannetti,  lent their experience and insights by interacting with the various groups.
The uses included: retail, office, residential, a variety of civic uses, parks/plazas, open space, as well as some specific items such as schools, fire and police stations, a conference center, and department stores.
Over the period of the first evening, the groups negotiated amongst themselves to come up with scenarios that coalesced the different uses and expressed individual and collaborative visions for the Town Center.
The plans were then affixed to the walls for all to review and illustrated by the group representative to the rest of the participants.  Common themes began to arise, such as placing high rise office along the I-95 corridor – both for visibility and as a buffer for the residential areas, the desire for a Metro transportation hub to be located within the Town Center, having high-quality, upscale retail both in the Town Center and in the destination retail area, and to designate green space areas and bike/pedestrian trail connections within the Town Center and to the surrounding neighborhoods.
 The next evening, on Thursday January 26th, Calthorpe Associates reviewed the work of the previous day, detailing the themes and issues that had been brought forward, and presented the Consensus Plan (see map on the left), which illustrated the results of first evening by color grouping, as well pointing out specific “floating” items that still needed to be positioned in the plan.
The participants were then asked to go back to the drawing board to refine the Consensus Plan and provide additional input.  Each was given a map to work with, allowing for both individual and group comments, and the opportunity for new participants to have their opinions included. They were also provided with the Planning Considerations list (to view the list, click on link on the left) which included the comments received throughout the process, and asked to expand on it further. We are also still adding to it as we receive input from the general public.
Once again, common themes emerged, giving way to further refinement which is currently being  reviewed by the focus group, comprised of local homeowner association representatives, the consulting team, elected officials and M-NCPPC. The result of these work sessions will be presented to the general public on February 24th, 2006.
Focus Group & Presentation
· Friday, February 24th, 2006
Time – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Location – 6100 Frost Place– off Sweitzer Lane in Laurel, MD 20707
Attendees – Focus group / M-NCP&PC and KONTERRA/Forest City/Consultants/Members of the public
* Thursday, March 9th, 2006: Extra day in case of prior inclement weather
· Click for Map of 6100 Frost Place, Laurel MD 20707
Please Contact Us with Questions or Comments:
info@konterra.com
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