MAPS Meet & Greet - Sept 28, 2024 10:00am-12:00pm - Scroll down for more details
Current PROJECT LIST
Public Infrastructure Projects
The majority of our work focuses on advancing various active public infrastructure projects in the City. We select projects if we believe we can guide and influence the design and outcome of the project. These public infrastructure projects can range from trails to parks to roadway projects. Most are projects initiated by others, however, occasionally we'll start our own.
The intersection of Kenhill Dr and MD 197 will be the first implementation of Complete Streets in Bowie. This is a scaled down version of the initial plan which would have implemented it across all of Kenhill Dr. The initial plan was not popular due to parking conflicts. MAPS provided to the City feedback on the initial design to alleviate parking concerns but opposition from residents of Kenhill Dr has been challenging. MAPS will remain engaged as this project impacts the Bowie Byway.
The Bowie Byway is the greater trail network in the City resulting from the Trails Master Plan update. We are actively engaged in the beginning phase of the implementation of this trail network by providing feedback on trail segment priorities, design, and placemaking opportunities.
We are also working on advocating for other trails described in the plan such as the WB&A Spur trail, Bowie Heritage Trail, and integrated trails like the Northview retrofit.
The City of Bowie is making pedestrian safety improvements to Northview Drive. These are improvements that our group has advocated for. To improve pedestrian and traffic safety, the scope of changes include modifying Northview Drive to reduce from four-lane to 2-lanes road in the area near Easton and Everette Drives, relocating mid-block pedestrian crosswalk to align with the trail, and lighting improvement at the pedestrian crossing. We have remained engaged during the implementation.
The County DPW&T is redesigning Race Track Rd from Marquette Ln to Ovalstone Ln. We've discussed the design with DPW&T and made some changes, including the introduction of a new crosswalk and median protection at all crosswalks. We continue to remain engaged with the City and County's DPW&T as this project continues to slowly progress.
The WB&A Spur Trail is a paved, 1.3-mi. side trail that runs north, parallel to the Patuxent River, starting at Horsepen Branch park and terminating just east of Bowie State University. We have engaged with MNCPP and will l to push for funding for the last part of the spur trail which will cross Bowie State University and connect to the Bowie heritage trail. This effort may also involve working with MNCPP to have the trail constructed under the MD-197 bridge that is over the Amtrak & MARC rails.
Central Avenue Overpass
Our group participated in a field review of the MD 214 Pedestrian Overpass Study to assess options for building a pedestrian connection across MD 214 to connect the upcoming South Lake development to the South Bowie area near the library. We worked with the city's Planning Department and the contractor overseeing this effort. We provided feedback on each of the options being assessed and stated the option that we thought was best. We look forward to future participation in this study.
The City of Bowie's Trails Master Plan contains a proposed footpath along the Patuxent River. This will primarily be a project managed by M-NCPPC and our group plans to be involved in advocating for funding for this project in addition to attending meetings and providing feedback on the project.
Accomplishments
Public Infrastructure Projects, Plans, and Policies
Following are projects, plans, and policies that were focus areas of MAPS in the past and we have helped to see realized. For the projects, our efforts have guided and influenced the design and outcome of the projects. In addition, we've advocated for enhancements to plans, policies, programs and procedures within the City of Bowie.
Our group lobbied the City Council to fund a long-needed update to the Trails Master Plan. We came out in force to the City Council budget sessions and made it happen! We then worked with the City Planning Department and their consultant, Lardner Klein, to update the plan.
We then advocated to the City Council for the successful adoption of the plan. Our group continues to work with the City Planning Department to build annual programs that fund trail projects in the plan f many years to come.
Complete Streets is a concept that provides access for all modes of transportation throughout the transportation network. Our group wrote a draft Complete Streets Policy for the City in coordination with the Environmental Advisory Committee. City staff presented the policy to the City Council and we successfully advocated for the adoption of the policy.
We will continue to work with the City Planning Department on design concepts and implementation of the policy throughout the City.
We've successfully lobbied the City Council for funds for the design and construction of each phase of the Bowie Heritage Trail in Old Town. The City completed construction of Phase II, which includes a new urban park at 10th Street, and is in the middle of construction of Phase III. Completion of the overall Bowie Heritage Trail will provide an important linkage connecting Old Town, Bowie State University, and the WB&A Trail.
Our group participated in a number of the County's Focus Group sessions regarding the Bowie-Mitchellville & Vicinity Master Plan. We are focused on ensuring that plans for the Bowie Focus Areas contain ample features and facilities for outdoor recreation, and social gathering; and that any new trails follow safety standards and connect into, and enhance, the cities existing network as called for in Bowie’s Master Trail Plan. We will remain engaged throughout the formation of this plan.