Placemaking Efforts
Public and Private Infrastructure Projects
Our placemaking efforts are focused on outside infrastructure that is publicly accessible, meaning access to that infrastructure is available to any and all people, without the need for a membership or invite. The majority of our focus is on publicly-owned infrastructure however, private development yields great opportunity for the construction of public infrastructure that can help us accomplish our goal. Therefore, we occasionally engage with private developments.
Seritage Growth Properties, the owner of the old Sears property at the Bowie Town Center, is undergoing a 2.5 year process to redesign the site to a mixed-use development. Seritage and its team of designers graciously met with our group to start a dialogue of how this site can be designed. We look forward to continuing this relationship with them. We also presented multimodal and placemaking concepts at a town hall regarding this redevelopment. We will remain engaged with this redevelopment.
Old Bowie Arts & Entertainment District
The Old Bowie Arts and Entertainment District advocacy group is leading the effort to transform the Old Bowie area with art and music activities with the goal for people to begin associating the area with Arts & Music. MAPS supports this effort and our advocacy efforts on the Bowie Heritage Trail and Bowie Railroad Museum are complementary in helping to transform Old Bowie. We looks forward to working with the A&E advocacy group to achieve the goal and vision of Old Bowie as an A&E district.
Bowie's Railroad Museum Campus, consisting of the Railroad Depot, Welcome Center, Tower, Caboose and Shed, depicts Bowie’s earliest modern history as a railroad village. Capital improvements planned include maintenance and repairs to HVAC systems and roofing, and implementation of several exterior improvements to substantially expand the experience for visitors. HVAC projects are scheduled for 2022 but funding for major improvements, although already designed,
have been postponed indefinitely.
The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is redesigning MD 450 through Main Street Bowie. We have been involved in County workshops on initial concepts of the design and have advocated for more and enhanced pedestrian crossings along MD 450 in this area. We will remain engaged and advocate as this redesign moves forward. Click on the photo for more info.
Ownership of the Bowie Race Track will be transferred to the city, the County and to Bowie State University. MAPS is focused on ensuring that any future plans include ample features and facilities for outdoor recreation, and social gathering. We also wish to ensure that any new trail connections adhere to the Trails Master Plan. We will work with stakeholders to ensure that this property becomes a beautiful new asset to Bowie and makes a permanent contribution to our high quality of life.
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MAking Progress
Monthly Meetings and Evolving Events
Our primary goal at this time is to activate the Old Bowie area with art and music activities, so people begin associating the area with Arts & Music. We've met every month since February 2019 to discuss strategies for these events, and have been making progress. We meet at the Old Town Grille, typically on the 2nd or 4th Monday of the month. Our last meeting was August 12th and our next is September 9th. At these meetings we've been focused on planning events to help activate the area for the Arts. We're hoping to bring back the old Bowie Fall Festival as a Bowie Arts & Heritage Festival. We're also working to be establish monthly Artist Networking events and/or small scale public events. Our first event was an Artist Network event on Sunday June 9th at 5pm at the Old Town Grille. We haven't had another event yet, but are working to plan some more.
The Team Assembles - Mar 4, 2019
On Monday March 4th a group of 14 residents and artists in and around Bowie met at Old Town Bar and Grille to begin forming our team's structure and outline strategies to move this massive undertaking forward.
Officially Kicking Off the Movement - Feb 4, 2019
On Monday February 4th a group of about 15 residents and artists in and around Bowie asked the City Council to submit a 'Letter of Intent to Apply' to make Old Bowie a designated Arts & Entertainment District. The City staff is currently evaluating the request and will have a response for us in the coming weeks!! A story was covered in the Bowie Blade: https://www.capitalgazette.com/bowie_bladenews/news/ac-cn-arts-entertainment-0207-story.html
Also, check us out in action at the Council Meeting. We turned out in force! http://cityofbowie.granicus.com/player/clip/537?meta_id=14890