[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]






                                                                           DRAFT


                                           ILOWETZ GWfNNS FALLS/
                                               MIDDLE BRANCH
                                              MANAGEMENT PLAN/-

                                        Phase I of the Middle Branch
                                              Waterfront Plan






     __9


      CIO
                                                Prepared by:

                                   Baltimore City Department of Planning
                                       Ernest Freeman, AICP, Director






                                       COASTAL ZONE
                                   INFORMATION CENTER                  January, 1990
                                                                    City of Baltimore
                                                                    Kurt L. Schmoke, Mayor
               HT
               168
               32
               L69
               1990



                  This study was partially funded by the Coastal Resources Divisiou of
                  the Maryland Department of Natural Resources through a grant. frm -the
                  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Office of Coastal
                  Resources Management.







                                                                                        2






                  INTRODUCTION




                       The Middle Branch of'the Patapsco River, its shorelines, and its

                  main tributary, the Gwynns Falls, have been forgotten treasures in

                  Baltimore. The area was once considered the likely location for the

                  expansion of downtown, but that never materialized. By the early

                  seventies, the Middle Branch had become an industrial backwater. Junk

                  yards littered its shores. Even the factories turned their backs to

                  the water when the cha nnel was no longer navigable.

                       In spite of this degraded condition, the value of the Middle

                  Branch has been rediscovered. Less than a mile from the Inner Harbor,

                  the Middle Branch is a rich natural area with beautiful wetlands and


                  waterfowl. The Middle Branch also is a prime development area of

                  undeveloped or underdeveloped parcels with quick access to downtown and

                  the Interstate system.

                       The confluence of governmental and private market activities make

                  this a critical and opportune time to plan for the Middle Branch. The

                  State Critical Area Protection Laws and the Baltimore City local

                  program target the Middle Branch as a priority location for protection

                  and enhancement of existing natural resources. The non-tidal wetlands

                  protection laws and expected federal regulation of storm water outfalls

                  heighten the possibilities for improving water quality and habitat.

                  The Middle Branch Park Plan of 1978 has resulted in the improvement of

                  the shoreline, creation of water-oriented recreation, and

                  establishment of a waterfront trail system. Private development

                  projects which will change the prospects for the Middle Branch include

                  the Port Covington Business Park, a 1.5 million square foot office




                                   FIGURE 1 - Regional Context




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                                                          inner Harbor



                                                                   Northwest
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                                                          Middle Branch




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                    Baltimore City

                                                                                     Patapsco River






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                                                                                       3


                 development; the Central Light Rail System; the new baseball stadium;

                 and the future football stadium.


                      The Department of Planning is studying the Middle Branch to

                 prepare a strategy for reclamation and redevelopment the Middle Branch

                 and Gwynns Falls shorelines. The goals and objectives for this

                 strategy are listed later in the introduction of this report.

                 Generally stated, the goal is to significantly improve environmental

                 conditions while strengthening opportunities for recreation, access to

                 the waterfront, and industrial development outside the Critical Area

                 buffer.


                      The establishment of a greenway down the Gwynns Falls and around

                 the Middle Branch is a central element of the overall strategy. The

                 greenway promotes the ideas of the current and previous Middle Branch

                 plans which are to renew and enhance the stream valley parks and to

                 multiply the area's habitat and recreational value. The greenway can

                 accomplish this in several ways:




                      * Conserving natural resources.

                      * Protecting habitat and water quality.

                      * Appropriately using the Critical Area buffer.

                      * Creating access to open space close to population centers.

                      * Providing a variety of recreational opportunities.

                      * Increasing public awareness of the natural environment.

                      * Linking the waterfront to new development projects and existing
                        population centers.

                      This report presents the Planning Department's preliminary

                 recommendations for establishment of a Middle Branch/Gwynns Falls

                 greenway. It summarizes some of the analysis that has been prepared as







                                                                                            4


                   part of the Middle Branch planning process. Specifically, information

                   is presented on the history, existing conditions and trends of the

                   areal s natural environment, land use, and inclusion in past park

                   plans. The study area was divided into six sub-areas to get at the

                   specific issues facing a Middle Branch greenway system. This report

                   concludes by presenting the problems/opportunities and recommended

                   actions by sub-area.



                   Goals and Objectives

                        The following goals and objectives were developed to guide the

                   preparation of the Middle Branch strategy and the Greenway Plan:


                   Goal 1:    Revitalize the Middle Branch as a unique area combining
                              restored and enhanced natural environment, recreation and
                              compatible industrial and mixed use development.

                              Obiectives

                              1.   Protect and Enhance Existing Water Quality and the
                                   Natural Environment.


                                   -Create habitat restoration opportunities

                                   -Require to the maximum extent possible on site,
                                    fulfillment of the Critical Area Criteria for new
                                    development.

                                   -Minimize the impact of environmentally incompatible
                                    Uses.


                              2.   Capitalize on the natural setting, waterfront and
                                   recreational amenities for appropriate development.

                                   -Create open space amenities for existing and new
                                    development that would provide both active and passive
                                    recreation opportunities.

                                   -Enhance the natural beauty of the water's edge.

                                   -Promote the area for development that will appreciate
                                    and support the natural shoreline edge.

                                   -Balance development and public access with environ-
                                    mental protection and enhancement.






                                                                                            5



                              3.   Guide and manage growth related to Light Rail and the
                                   Stadium Complex.

                                   -Encourage stadium- and light rail-related development,
                                    by guiding new investment to appropriate areas.

                                   -Control the impacts of speculation on the area.

                              4.   Encourage employment-intensive and tax-producing
                                   development within identified opportunity areas.

                                   -Identify opportunities for new or expanded employment
                                    generating activities.

                                   -Develop a reuse strategy for outdated industrial
                                    buildings, where appropriate.

                   Goal 2:    Optimize Federal, State and Private Investment and Its
                              Positive Effects on the Development of the Area.

                              Objectives.

                              1.   Facilitate the Use of Light Rail and Optimize its
                                   positive impacts on the Area.

                              2.   Employ joint use parking where possible with football
                                   stadium.



                   Goal 3:    Better Integrate the Middle Branch Waterfront
                              with Surrounding Commimities, Park Systems and the Inner
                              Harbor.


                              Objectives

                              1.   Increase compatibility of industrial uses to resi-
                                   dential areas.


                              2.   Create clear connections between various uses from resi-
                                   dential to industrial or recreational.


                                   -create pedestrian links for residential to office/
                                    industrial and to recreation uses


                                   -improve visual clues to guide visitors to and through
                                    the area, both pedestrian and vehicular

                              3.   Improve the relationship of the area to Downtown.

                                   -Strengthen the Eutaw Street/Stadium pedestrian
                                    connection.


                                   -Visually improve Russell Street as a gateway to
                                    downtown.







                                                                                           6



                             4.    Integrate the Stadium complex into the Middle Branch
                                   area.


                                   -Develop pedestrian connections to the waterfront and
                                   the surrounding communities, where desirable.

                                   -Integrate football stadium parking needs into the
                                   development strategy for the area.

                             5.    Develop pedestrian/bike trails/wildlife corridors to
                                   link the Middle Branch with Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park
                                   and Patapsco Valley State Park.
                   Goai 4:   Develop a strategy to guide development in the area.

                             Objectives


                             1.    Balance diverse needs and interests.


                             2.    Prepare an action/implementation plan to guide growth
                                   in the area.



                   The Study Area

                        The Middle Branch is located at the mouth of the Gwynns Falls in

                   South Baltimore. The study area includes lands adjacent to these two

                   bodies of water, extending landward as shown in figure _. The area

                   extends counter clockwise from Port Covington, around the Middle Branch

                   to the Patapsco River at the Hanover and Potee Street bridges. The

                   Gwynns Falls component of the study area extends from the Middle Branch

                   upstream to Route 40 and Leakin Park. The three most pronounced

                   landscape features which dominate the area are the configuration of the

                   shoreline and streambed, the intricate system of bridges forming 1-95

                   and 1-395, and the beautiful arches of Hanover Street Bridge which can

                   be seen from many vantage points.

                        The Middle Branch/Gwynns Falls area has been divided into 6

                   sub-areas for purposes of study (figure_). Each of these areas       is

                   unique in its character and the problems and opportunities which     have

                   been explored.












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                                                                                        7



                       The Middle Gwynns Falls sub-area consists of a rocky freshwater
                       stream with dramatic scenic quality in some parts of its reach.
                       Adjoining land uses range from open space vegetated with a mature
                       oak forest to heavy industrial lands.

                       The Lower Gwynns Falls is dominated by 1-95 which bisects the
                       area. Land uses range from open space to heavy industry.

                       Westport consists of a residential community and shoreline
                       industries-bounded by heavily traveled traffic routes.

                       Middle Branch Park has extensive amounts of open space adjacent
                       to residential and commercial areas.


                       Upper Middle Branch has extensive acres of wetlands, with an
                       intricate pattern of highway butresses arching overhead. The
                       adjacent land includes industry and private undeveloped parcels.
                       The area extends northward to the proposed stadium.

                       Swann Park/Central Garage includes these two parcels as well as
                       CSX-owned industrial land used for storage, and open space.
                  Each study area has been mapped and examined separately, with an effort

                  to look at issues in the overall context of the area.






                                                                                       8



                  PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT




                  Development Histor

                       The Middle Branch was a very active part of the Baltimore Harbor

                  until the end of the 19th century. Harbor activities originally

                  extended farther inland. John Smith had navigated seven miles upstream

                  on the Patapsco River, and Elkridge Landing was a port town before silt

                  from colonial farming filled in the Lower Patapsco. In the Middle

                  Branch, the Bush and Bayard Street docks were vital parts of the

                  working port, and brick kilns and foundries were already established on

                  the western shore. The heavy industrial character of the Middle Branch

                  early on probably helped steer residential and commercial development

                  to the Inner Harbor basin.


                       Recreation was always part of the Middle Branch. Boating

                  activities, beaches and restaurants offered a respite from the urban

                  life downtown. However as the urban pattern of Baltimore evolved in

                  the 18th and 19th centuries, apparently little priority was given to

                  planning for public access to the harbor or streams in this area. The

                  land use pattern around the harbor was driven by commerce and industry

                  and their need for access to water and rail transportation. As a

                  result, at the beginning of the 20th century, the entire waterfront of

                  the Middle Branch and the lower Gwynns Falls was zoned for industrial


                  use.


                       Over the years, several studie s have looked at the role of the

                  Middle Branch in the Port of Baltimore. A Regional Planning Council

                  study (1973) recommended redevelopment of the Middle Branch to correct

                  pollution problems. This included filling or dredging the water body

                  to get greater flushing, cleaning up industrial pollution, and







                                                                                       9



                  installing sediment catch basins at the mouth of the Gwynns Falls and

                  Patapsco Rivers. Renovation of Port Covington for increased cargo

                  handling and private redevelopment for Masonville also were suggested.

                       In 1975, the Baltimore Harbor Plan recommended higher

                  environmental quality standards as well as long term goals for economic

                  development and public access. The 1985 Baltimore Harbor book followed

                  this up with concept plans for the development of Middle Branch Park -

                  and the redevelopment of Port Covington for non-port uses. By 1978,

                  Masonville had been purchased by the Maryland Port Administration for

                  future expansion of the port.




                  Land Use


                       Industrial land uses predominate the Middle Branch (Figures

                  4A-4F). Light and heavy manufacturing, wholesaling, utility

                  operations, and construction firms are the most common types of

                  industry in the study area. There also are nine significant vacant or

                  underutilized parcels in the study area. These cover about 85 acres of


                  land.


                       Other minor land uses include, retail, institutional (Hospital),

                  and several public buildings.

                       The Middle Branch Park area consists primarily of the park

                  itself and the Waterview Industrial area which houses one major

                  wholesaler (The Zomoiski Company) and about fifteen small businesses.

                       Westport is primarily industrial on the waterfront. The uses

                  are a concrete batching plant, the Carr-Lowry Glass manufacturing

                  plant, and the BG&E Westport electrical power plant.

                       The Upper Middle Branch (West) includes the Carroll Industrial

                  Park, an industrial neighborhood of relatively small industries





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                                                                                          10


                   including many employment-intensive light manufacturers. The planned

                   stadium complex borders this area. When complete, the stadium will

                   bring new visibility to the entire study area. Several waterfront

                   parcels south of the stadium are currently vacant or underutilized.

                        Upper Middle Branch (East) is dominated by the BG&E Spring

                   Gardens facility which is used primarily to store, liquify, and

                   distribute natural gas. North of Spring Gardens is the Ostend

                   Industrial Area which houses a number of light manufacturing,

                   wholesaling and service businesses.

                        Swann Park/Central Garage borders on the Port Covington Business

                   Park (now under construction) and Locke Insulator which is a large

                   ceramic insulator manufacturer located on the waterfront directly west

                   of Port Covington. West of Hanover Street is the City's Central

                   Garage, a large vehicle maintenance center; a 20-acre parcel owned by

                   CSX and used by a lumber company; and Swann Park, a waterfront park

                   with ball fields.


                        The Lower Gwynns Falls area is bisected by the Gwynns Falls.

                   The area is primarily highway right-of-way and flood plain on the north

                   and heavy industry on the south. The Southgate Industrial Park, now

                   under development, is the largest industrial parcel.

                        Masonville includes two major industrial tracts - the Arundel

                   Corporation's concrete batching plant and the MPA Masonville property.

                   The latter is partly vacant and partly used for an auto import

                   facility.




                   Zonin


                        The majority of the Middle Branch area is zoned M-2 or M-3 for

                   moderate to heavy industry (Figures 4A-4F).









                          M-3 zoning, in particular, ig quite permissive. In a number of

                    the sub-areas the industrial zoning poses potential conflicts with

                    environmental objectives. Residential zones along the shoreline

                    include the Middle Branch Park, Reedbird Park, and Harbor Hospital.



                    Ownership

                          Most of the study area is in private ownership. (Figures 5A-5F)

                    The majority of the businesses own their facilities; a few of them

                    lease.


                          City- and State-owned land includes:

                          -parks (Middle Branch, Swann Park, Reedbird, Ferry Bar Park)

                          -Floodplain acquisition parcels in the lower Gwynns Falls

                          -Highway rights-of-way

                          -Public facilities (Animal Shelter, Central garage)

                          -Maryland Port Administration land.



                                                   LAND USE SUMMARY


                          Type Use               #Firms #Employees          #Acres


                          Industrial
                           Construction               9        464             30
                           Manufacturing             44       3,264           135
                           Business Services
                             and Health Services     22       2,110            40
                           Transportation            10        267             29
                           Utilities                  5        232            180
                           Wholesaling               33       1,251           170
                           Warehousing                3           0            10


                          Marinas                     2           4            10


                          Public Facilities           3        170             31


                          Retail                     14        110             21


                          Park                        5           -           135


                          Vacant                      9                        85





                                      FIGURE 5A - Neighborhoods & Ownership

                                                           PROPERTY OWNERSHIP KEY

                                                           MCC - Mayor & City Concil

                                                           IWaterview Land Co.
                                                           2Valley Brook Reality
                                                           3Middle Branch Moorings Marina
                                                           4Hill View Reality
                                                           5MCC
                MCC                                        6Mary & David Loughran
                                                           7MCC
     14@                                                   8Penn Reality Co.
                                                           9John Minor -
                                                           10 Harbor Hospital Center
                                                           I I Paul R. Reinke
                                                40,


         WAMVIEW INDUSTR]AL PARK       2
                                                  Z5           -"*wpm

                                                4                          MCC
                                                                                                 ,     \
                                                                                                MCC


                                                                                         .7


                                                                                              8        V
                          CHERRY HILL COMMUNITY                                                               10

                                                                                             L
                                                                                                               cc

                                                    >
                                    w


      IS,



                       4




                                                                                                               g
                                                                                    MCC,

                                                                                                             C)
                                                                                REEDBIRD PARK               q"        /I I




                                                                                          Now
                                          MIDDLE BRANCH PARK
                                          Existing - Neighborhoods                 &                                 800'
                 KEY    MAP                                Prop. Ownership
                                                                                                         scale



                             FIGURE 5B         Neighborhoods & Ownership
                                                               X/





              Y


                                                     ANNAPOLIS RD.
                                                     PARTNERSHIP


                                           'A   @B.G.&      71"',
                                                                              MCC




                                                                      KLOM     ST.
                                                                            AN
                        Csx                                          JOINT VENTURE

      7-7

                                                         0    1-7










                                                                            PROPERTY OWNERSHIP KEY


                                                                                  Mayor & City Council
                                                                            MCC
                                                                            B.G.&E. - Balto. Gas & Electric
                                                         0   0
                               T
             -`@WE
              COMMUNITY
                                                                  WESTPORT
              A
                                                                                Neighborhoods &
                                                                   Existing
                                                     Y
                                      CARR LOWER                                Prop. Ownerstdp
                                      GLASS CO./',
                                  4
                                                                                          INNER HARBOR




            ,0.y-




                             B.G.& E.


                                                            0            4017

                                       MCC                   scale                    KEY MAP




                                                      FIGURE 5C                      Ne.1 borhoods & Ownership

                                                                                                                                                              L
                                                               RIDGLEYS'DELIGHT 7-0
                                                                                                                                        NER MRBOR
                                                                        COMMUNITY
                                                                                                                                            A
                                                                                                                                                  EA





                                                                                    NNAML STAOILN
                                                                                                                  7-1


                                                                                                                                        In
                                                                                                     @4
                                                                                                                                                                       A
                                                                                                                                        l9j -"ff
                  KEY MAP
                                                                                                                               OTTERB
         PROPERTY OWNERSHIP KEY                                                                                                                     EIN
                                                                                    STADIUM
                                                                                                                              'COMMUNITY
         MCC - Mayor & City Council
         B.G.&E. - Balto. Gas & Electric      too                                   AUTHORITY                             j                                 11
                                                                                                                                                            tj
         1Balto. Gateway Joint Venture
                                              .1@ , , I I
         2William V. Wren, trustee                             r.
                                                                                                       %\
         3Fred J. Glose
         4DMA Reality
         5Francis Fw-aci
         6The Harbor Sales Corp.
         7WAB Reality
         8R&H Properties                                          z
         9 Allied Roofing                                                                                        -SHARP LEADEN
         10 Parker Metal Decorating Co.
                                                      P                PFKWOSM FOOTBALL
         I I Various - Future Stadium Authority                                                                     COMM             UNI     TY
                                                                                                                                                 RIM I
         12 Himmelrich                                                                                            I' 4ZZ@,
         13 1201 Sharp St.
         14 LSL Assoc.
                                                                                                                                                                L
         15 Daniel P. Crispino
         16 Paul R. Reinke                                                                                 i
                                               r                 8
         17 Furst Bros. Inc
         18 Val Pac Inc.                                                                                3            4,
         19 Stanley B. Resnick
                                                          6
         20 G & G Reality Corp.
                                                               7                         10
         21 Hillco Investments
         22 Real Estate Improvements Corp.                                  .7
                                                                                                                                                                       A
                                                                                                       V
         23 Potomac Investment
                                                   4                             MC
                                                                                                                                                                   till
                    j.                                                                                          14
                                                                                                                                                4
                                                                                                                        15                      -
                                           3
                                                                                   J                                                               TH
                                                     2                                                                                            MO
                                   2>.                                                                                              BALT                  RE
                                                             CSx                                                                  COMMUNITY
                                                                                                                                        Pitt
                                                                                                B.G.&E.
                                                      2                                                                       19        M
                                                                                                     L

                          MCC                              MCC


                                                                                                                 y


                                                                                                                                              'j

                                                                                                                                                                          7n,



                                                                                                         -9
         ',/ hAppr
                                                                                                                                                R


































             UPPER MIDDLE BRANCH
              Existing               Neighborhoods &                                                                                               0               800,_
                                     Prop. Ownership                                                                                                scale



                                FIGURE 5D Neighborhoods &. Ownership




                                       1-95




                               MCC                      MCC

                         SWANN PARK                      3
                                                                                                          77'


                                                                      2




                                                                            us

                                                                            0
                                                                            z
                            CSIX



                                                                                        SUNPAPERS

                                            zz     EN     L
                                                 If

                                             14
                                                                               5
                                                     MCC



                                                              V
      PROPERTY OWNERSHIP KEY
                                                                             0
      MCC - Mayor & City Council

      I Lyon Conklin
                                                                                            LOCK
      2 Western Md. Railway
      3 Various Residential                                                                 INSULATORS
      4 Western Md. Railway
      5 Amoco




                  INNER tjARBOR






                                 SWANN FARK/CENTRAL GARAGE AREA
                                  Existing - Neighborhood &                        0
                                               Prop. ownership
            KEY MAP                                                                 scale





                                  FIGURE 5E           Neighborhoods & Ownership

                 PROPERTY OWNERSHIP KEY


                 MCC - Mayor & City Council

                 1  Michael B. Decker Sr.
                 2  Misc., mostly residential
                 3  Southgate Limited Partnership
                 4  Flanigan
                 5  Skipper Jr.
                 6  Gary P. Ringer
                 7  Chemclear of Balto. Inc.
                 8  1200 Ridgely Ltd.



                         ir


                            -0

                    @ \14t

                                                                                        @d
      Colo"
                                                                     8


      ---.was
                                                                      7
               MCC
                                                 aloft*

                        SOUTHGATE I
                                                C
                                                         MCC
    MCC
                          3
                               PARK               Sx


           W,
         M.                               -4                      CSx
                                             4.
                                                      MCC
                                                               6

                                                                 CSx


                                                                                  WEZiF66 960@



                       INNER HARBOR
                                                                                     C1 0
                           MATM                                                    <



                                         LOWER GWYNNS FALLS
                                        tExIsong - Npighborhoodi' &                               0           800
                 KEY   MAP                               Prop. Ownerstdp                           scale





                             FIGURE 5F         Neighborhoods & Ownership

                      FEW







           MCC

                                 4


                                                          REA BOUNDARY
                          3
                                                                            PROPERTY OV@NERSHIP KEY

                       2
                                                                            MCC - Mayor & City Council
                                                        y't.,nk
                     7 --N.Z
                                                                            1MCC

                                                         W.,
               u &U5                                                        2Censtar Quarry
              A,                                           --AW5
                                                                            3Murray
                                                                            4Cemetery
                                                                r,7-W
                                                                            5CSX
               2'Ll                                                         6CSX
                                 MCC
                                                                                   Residential
                                                      7                     7Various
                                     q,
                                                                            8George Eckart, Inc.
                             -`V
                                                                            9Cemetery
                                                                            10 MCC

                                                              L
                                                                            I I Richard & Emma Ford (parking)
                                                   8
                                                                            12 Scandias Mfg. Co.
                                                                            13 James & Etta Bass
                                                            X
                                                                            14 Harrison Bolts & Nut Co.
                              9@                                            15 Kenneth & Helen Roland
                                                                            16 Ruth Kabbic
                                                                            17 Hygrade Food Products
                                                                            19 Merrill & Reif
                                        g
                                                                            19 Duke Assoc.
                                                                            20 G & E Reality Co.
                                                       I M"114NN
                                                                            21 Unit
                                                                                 ed Iron & Metal
                                  IT    1

                          W"
                                                                21
                                                              7
                                                     20
                                                 5

                                           N.
                                                                    MCC
                                                  16'                         MCC
                                            17


                                             \18
                                                                         \CAR         RK
                                                  19'
                                                                            GOLF-COU
                                                                    'A
                             INNER RBOR
                                                     N        -zi    N
                               OWN                                                   \S,
                                                                                            A
                                               h


                                                                      AR



                                        77
                                           MIDDLE GWYNNS FALLS
                                           Existing  - Neighbortwds         &      0          1000,
                 KEY   MAP                              Prop. Ownwslip             scale







                                                                                        12



                  Transportation & Circulation

                       The Middle Branch area is dominated by major highways and an

                  expressway which provide excellent regional access. (Figures 6A-6F)

                  The proposed Camden Yards Sports Complex and Port Covington Business

                  Park are designed to take advantage of this access, but will impose

                  constraints of their own due to the volume of traffic they will

                  attr-.act. Construction has also recently begun on the light rail

                  transit system, which will eventually connect the Middle Branch to BWI

                  Airport on the south and Hunt Valley on the north.

                       To serve the Port Covington Business Park, Cromwell Street will be

                  extended as a four to six lane boulevard from Hanover Street to McComas


                  Street. Construction begins in 1990. At the half-way point of its

                  development, Port Covington's traffic volumes will necessitate the

                  realignment of the exit ramp from northbound 1-95 to McComas Street.

                  This will provide direct interstate access to Cromwell Street. At

                  that time, Hanover Street will no longer connect with eastbound McComas

                  Street, and traffic will be redirected to Cromwell Street. Eventually

                  a connection to Port Covington will be constructed under Hanover Street

                  in the vicinity of Dickman Street to replace the current "jughandle"

                  movement from southbound Hanover Street to Cromwell Street. This will


                  connect Port Covington to the area south of Swann Park.

                       The major feature of the new Camden Yards Baseball Stadium

                  relative to the Middle Branch will be a huge surface parking lot

                  extending southward from the stadium for almost half a mile to Ostend

                  Street. A wide walkway will extend the full length of the lot to

                  protect pedestrians from vehicular traffic. Potentially, this walkway

                  is a central element of a direct connection between downtown and the


                  Middle Branch.



                                          FIGURE 6B              Transportation












                                                    r
                                     -000









                                                                               J
                                                                                         Opportunity for Hike-Bike access on
                                                                                         abandoned Railroad bridge.

                                                                            `7
            C4                  Excellent access to MD   2959  1-95
                                and 1-695





           .j

           LU
           Ca

           W                                                                                        RAILROAD TRACKS



                                                                                            Lack of differentiation between
                                                                                            public and private property in the
                        WESTPORT                                                            Kloman St. corridor results in a
                                                                                            poorly maintained and controlled
                                                                                            area.


                                                                                  WESTPORT
                                                   F@-
                                                                                   Existing           Transportation

                                                                                                               INNER HARBOR
                                         lb










                                                                           0             40a

                                                                            scale                          KEY MAP



                                                                    FIGURE 6C                        Transportation

                                                                                                                                                                           L       I
                                                                I L


                                                                                                                                                                                      7'

                                                                                                                        MW





                                                                                                                                                 low
                   KEY MAP


                                                                                                                 as
                                             M


                                                                                                                                                                       44

                                                                                                                                                                               *Elf i"



                                                                               n
                                                                                                                     ir
                                                                                 Huge stadium      parking reserv'o*
                                                                                                          -event times                                                         5M
                                OAD
                                                                                 by downtown MARC and Light Rail
                                                                                 could be used during non
                     RAILR
                     MACKS                                                       users.                                   4.
                                                                                                                                                                           He -a
                                                                           PRX-OM FOOT&AU

                                                                                                                                                        7@
                                     Railroad crossing creates delays.

                                                                                                                                            3





                                                                                                        40
                                                                                                     Ice
                                                                                                                                          q-_75 R_


                                                                                   I>
                                                                                         /V

                                                                                                                                                                           , 91t
                                                                                                     Deadends create isolation%
                            If


                                                                Small back streets tend to become a
                                                               dumping ground.


                         W
                                                     Exc e0ent access to highways.






                     1_9S




                                                                                                                                                                                 7A
                                                                                                                                                                                     Wo
                                                                                                                                                 ID






                                                                                                                                                                WE

                                                                                                                                                                         O'C'

                                                                                                                                                                           Wr










                                                                                                                                                                W






          UPPER MIDDLE BRANCH                                                                                                                               0                 800,_
          Existing            - Transportation                                                                                                              scal.e





                                           FIGURE 61)              Transportation


        CONVENIENT EXPRESSWAY
        RAMPS.
        Another full interchange including
        access to/from tunnel is only  3/4    1 95
        mile to the east.





                            Deadend roadways discourage access
                                                   nt.
                            and surveillance of the waterfro    L                                2@

                              SWANN PARK

                                                                         L
                           Opportunity for hike/bike access on
                           abandoned Railroad bridge.


                                                                                         CC

                 Deadend roadways discourage access                                      0
                                                                                         z
                 and surveillance of the waterfront.                   Al                14
                                                                                         X


                                                                                    V
                                                      0                                                 SUNPAPERS
                                                          CEN




                                                                                                    Major new boulevard now under
                                                                                                    construction to provide access to Port
                                                                                                    Covington.

                                         "Jughandle" provides access     to
                                         Cromwell St.
                                                       L






                                                                                                             LOCKE
                                                                                                             INSULATORS


                   RAILROAD TRACKS



                       INNER HARBOR







                                        SWANN FARK/CENTRAL, GARAGEAREA------4@
                                        Existing - Transportation                                   0            400'

               KEY MAP                                                                              scale





                                   FIGURE 6E        Transportation








                                                       RAILROAD     TRACKS 0111111111111111 sell I



                                                                         "k*C11211"







                                                                         X













             J
                                  J,




                                       X!


                                                               Aev
                                                           @1 Nn-
                                               64





                       HARBOR
                                               ca
                                                                      0
                                                                       0
                                               LU



                                               M
                     \N,

                                        ER GWYNNS FALLS
                                               T                                0         800
                                 Existing   - ransportation
              KEY  MAP                                                           scale





                                                                             FIGURE 6F                             Transpoytation
                                                                        Q,
                                              -=---EDM0
                                                                                          ?*1



        LAW



                                                                                            L,j
                                                                                           -LJ
                                      'W4



                                                                                                                          o
                      -)P
                                                                                                                                  1EA BOUNDARY



           --w
                                            N
         \:h"J                                                                                                                                  RAILROAD TRACKS
                                              A\\





                  ,kc @!s
                                                                                    I v-)
                                                             -N
                                               A,                                                             IT-
                                         k
                      4%

                                                                                                    A
                                                                                                                                     6,

                                       L





                                                                                                                                  '151
                                                                                                                       I Sm  f"t  11'
                                              (i 4-6!t-
                                                                                                             V
                                                   X               0@z .1 11             -                    1@
                                                                                                                            011'-L  Ait
                                                                                                                                                                     n.
                                                              r


                                                                                                          p,                            A
                                                                                          -J                                                                                              19.
                                                                 t i"T
                                                                                                                                             W-
                                                                                                                                                                          J

                                                                                          V



                                                                                       ol

                                                                                                                                                          \@`CARI                         RK
                                                                                                                                                                 GOLFI-COUR

                                                           INNER HAR

                                                                                                                                                                 VA,






                                                                .1h

                                                                                          MIDDLE GWYNNS FALLS',,
                                                                                           Existing                 -     Transportation                                           0                        1000,
                                    KEY MAP
                                                                                                                                                                                    scale








                                                                                        13



                       Ostend and Warner Streets will be significant automobile routes  to

                  and from the stadium. As a back-up to the Ostend Street bridge, a

                  railroad crossing of the CSX Locust Point Branch line is planned for

                  Sharp Street at Stockholm Street. Overflow parking by stadium fans

                  will most likely occur on the streets and private lots in the

                  industrial areas.


                       The light rail line will have two stations in the Middle Branch

                  area. The Hamburg Street station (at Howard Street underneath the

                  Hamburg Street bridge) will serve South Baltimore. This station may

                  help attract commuters willing to park in the stadium lot during the

                  day (when baseball is not being played) and ride the light rail into

                  downtown or elsewhere. The other light rail station in the Middle

                  Branch area will be located Westport at the eastern end of Kent Street

                  above Kloman Street.


                       Street access to the upper Middle Branch shore consists almost

                  entirely of dead-end streets - Dickman Street, McComas Street and Fort

                  Avenue on the east; Haines Street, Oler Street, Worchester Street and

                  Stockholm Street on the west. Dead end streets generally do not do a

                  good job of defining public spaces or making those spaces secure by

                  providing for public surveillance. Connecting the dead-end streets

                  could remedy this while linking the various areas of the Middle Branch

                  with each other and with the surrounding communities.




                  Urban Fabric


                       The urban pattern in the Middle Branch is characterized by four

                  major elements: the various street grids, the highway, the railroad

                  tracks, and the water. There are three major street grids in the

                  Middle Branch. South Baltimore Streets run north/south and east/west.







                                                                                       14



                  The Camden area grid between Paca Street and Leadenhall Street shifts

                  to northeast/southwest as in the case of Russell Street north of Ostend

                  Street. The third grid is set up by Warner and Ostend Streets and runs

                  from the shore to Carroll Park. Each of these grids end before the

                  water's edge. With one or two exceptions, the street system does not

                  connect to the water.







                       Interstate New,-

                       Street

                       Railroad
                        7;



                            Z(ft






















                   Al
                          cz..





                  >
                                         A.




                  Street Grid




                       The interstate highways, 1-95 and 1-395, dominate the area

                  visually and aurally. 1-95 is elevated above both land and water on a

                  modern concrete structure. The noise is an ever present rumble though

                  the cars are rarely visible. The view from the elevated highway is







                                                                                       15


                  the most common perspective people have of the Middle Branch area.

                  Nearly 100,000 people a day enter or leave the city on 1-95.















                                             .&woo,







                  View of Highway from Stockholm St.











                  A
                                                     + d
                                            RR "IN                  "OnU








                  View of highway from Animal Shelter







                                                                                        16


                      Railroad tracks crisscross the Upper Middle Branch area at grade

                 dividing the land in odd shaped pieces, and reducing the real and per-

                 ceived access to certain areas. Trains do not go through on a continu-

                 ous basis but the presence of the tracks deters auto and pedestrian


                 access.


                       Since the Middle Branch is an embayment, the land surrounds the

                 water. As a result, there is a constantly changing relation of land io

                 water.











                                 ALI





                                      ..............







                                - - - - --- ----- -



                                     -.KKIK








                                            ........ ..







                                           . . . .........






                 Street  pattern relative to the water




                      The urban patterns found in the Middle Branch area are fragmented

                 and unorganized. This can be very disorienting. Streets end abruptly







                                                                                       17


                  with few clues on how to continue or which way to go. Entrances to

                  buildings and properties are often unclearly marked and hard to find.

                  In residential areas, the sidewalks often end at the last house making

                  connections to adjacant industries and other properties difficult. The

                  rail lines and highways add to the confusion because they are unrelated

                  to the street grids.




                  Community Context


                       Several residential communities are near the Middle Branch al-


                  though none are directly on the waterfront (Figures 5A-5F). Table 1

                  summarizes demographic information about the residents of these

                  neighborhoods.

                       The South Baltimore peninsula, which forms the east side of the

                  Middle Branch, is a densely populated area with several neighborhoods.

                  South Baltimore long has been home for blue collar workers and their

                  families. Over the last decade, home values and average income on the

                  peninsula increased at an accelerated rate as the influence of the

                  Inner Harbor development and the renovation of homes in Federal Hill

                  spread. However, there are still concentrations of dilapidated pro-

                  perties and a significant number of low income households. South

                  Baltimore supports several strong and active community organizations.

                  The South Baltimore Improvement Committee, Sharp Leadenhall, Federal

                  Hill, Riverside Neighbors, Riverside Park and Locust Point. They range

                  from very expensive Inner Harbor residences, to economically gentrify-

                  ing blocks, to South Baltimore's traditional blue collar neighborhoods.







                                                                                             18

                   TABLE 1   Neighborhood Demographics     1980 Census   Average
                                                                        Household      Average
                   Neighborhoo          Population      Households       Income        Age

                   South Baltimore         11,570          4,215         $15,008       32.7
                   Sharp Leadenhall           803            272         11,352        34.6
                   Federal Hill             1,783            665         18,449        40.2
                   Westport                 1,783            479         14,537        29.1
                   Cherry Hill             12,519          3,741         10,986        21.8

                        The Westport neighborhood is located on the west side of the

                   Middle Branch. It is a blue collar, racially integrated neighborhood

                   somewhat cut off from the rest of the city by highways, industrial

                   areas and the Middle Branch. Between the community and the waterfront

                   are some of the heaviest industries on the Middle Branch. Westport has

                   chronic industrial-related problems with dust, noise, and truck traffic.

                        The Cherry Hill community overlooks Middle Branch Park on the

                   South side of the Middle Branch. It is a very large and historically

                   black neighborhood. The neighborhood has always been somewhat isolated

                   from the rest of the city in part due to the physical barriers of the

                   Middle Branch and surrounding industrial uses. The housing stock con-

                   sists predominantly of rental apartments which are either part of a

                   large low-rise public housing complex (1350 units) or large privately-

                   owned garden apartment developments (1400 units). The neighborhood has

                   a very active civic life with a large number of community organizations.







                                                                                          19



                  THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT




                  Natural History

                       Physiography - The Middle Branch and surrounding lands are part

                  of the Coastal Plain physiographic province, an area entirely covered

                  by water millions of years ago. The landforms of the region have

                  influenced both the natural environment and the cultural character-


                  istics of the landscape.

                       The predominant geologic formation in the area, the Potomac Group,

                  is composed of unconsolidated sands and clays that were formed when

                  sediments were washed down from higher areas millions of years ago and

                  deposited. Upstream from these deposits are harder crystalline rocks

                  which are part of the Piedmont physiographic province. The juncture of

                  these two formations, called the "fall line" occurs in the Middle

                  Gwynns Falls. It played a significant role in establishing industry

                  along Baltimore's streams because waterfalls, a source of energy for

                  mills, were common here. Once such mill, Mt. Clare Mill Race was

                  located in the Lower Gwynns Falls.

                       Iron and clay deposits of the Potomac group played a major role in

                  the settlement of the area in the 18th century. An iron ore furnace

                  and clay brick yards were the first industries located in the Lower

                  Gwynns Falls.   When wood frame houses became illegal in the 19th

                  century due to  fire hazard, the brick yards were a major source of

                  bricks for the  Baltimore rowhouse.


                       The Gwynns Falls travels through two physiographic regions: the

                  Piedmont Plateau and the Coastal Plain. The stream from Edmundson


                  Avenue to Frederick Avenue is characteristic of the Piedmont- fairly

                  steep banks and a rock stream bed with falls and rapids which lend a






                                                                                       20


                 highly aesthetic quality. The "fall line" is located between Frederick

                 Avenue and Carroll Park., marking the juncture of the Piedmont and the

                 Coastal Plain physiographic regions. Historically, the natural land-

                 form of the Lower Gwynns Falls had gently sloping banks accompanied by

                 a broad floodplain. This characteristic has changed somewhat as indus-

                 tries have filled the floodplain to safeguard their property.

                      Hydrolo    - The Middle Branch is a tidal estuary where fresh-

                 water meets saltwater, and becomes brackish. This water body is

                 actually the mouth of the Gwynns Falls, a freshwater stream, widening

                 to join the Patapsco River, a tidal tributary to the Chesapeake Bay.

                 The Gwynns Falls still flows through an open channel, but Chatsworth

                 Run, a major tributary at the head of the Middle Branch, is now en-

                 closed in a culvert. This freshwater stream once teaming with fish now

                 is covered by city streets and buildings.

                      Prolific wetlands were once a part of the Middle Branch estuary,

                 providing a ready food source for the early settlers. In particular,

                 extensive acres of wetlands were at the upstream limit of the Middle

                 Branch, the mouth of the Gwynns Falls, and the mouth of the Patapsco

                 River, where Reedbird Park is located (see Figure 2).

                      Wildlife Habitat - When colonists arrived in the Middle Branch,

                 they found the prolific wetlands of the estuary surrounded by a tre-

                 mendous deciduous forest teaming with wildlife. An abundance of birds,

                 mammals, reptiles and amphibians fed and nested in this haven, pro-

                 viding food and building materials for the colonists.

                      The oak-chestnut forest which covered the majority of the Gwynns

                 Falls watershed was home to many species which are now absent from the

                 region. The larger mammals included such species as wildcat, deer and

                 bear. Birds of prey were probably prolific including such species as







                                                                                       21


                  hawks, owls, eagles, and buzzards. Forest interior dwelling birds

                  which migrate seasonally to the tropics were abundant. Wild turkey

                  roamed the forest.


                       Many water birds once inhabited the Middle Branch,, feeding and

                  nesting in the wetlands, mud flats and open water including waterfowl

                  (e.g. ducks and geese), shore birds (e.g. sandpipers), gulls and wading

                  birds (e.g. herons and egrets). Wood cocks, wood ducks and bobolinks -

                  (reedbirds) lived in the swamp thickets which were once in abundance.

                  "Reedbird" Park, where the Patapsco River opens to the harbor, was once

                  such a wetland, owing its name to the wildlife it once supported.

                       The waters of the Middle Branch once contained a wealth of differ-


                  ent fish species. Located at the juncture of fresh and salt water, the

                  estuary was home to species typically found in both these waters. Many

                  of these fish such as shad, herring, and rock fish, were anadramous,

                  that is, coming from the sea to fresh water to spawn. Some species,

                  such as the eel, travel from fresh water to salt water to spawn. The

                  blue crab was here in abundance, waiting to be discovered by the

                  culture to come.


                       Water Quality - As the Gwynns Falls watershed developed from the

                  18th century through to the 20th, the water quality of the stream and

                  Middle Branch suffered increasingly from the effects of urban runoff as

                  well as sewage. In 1955, a comprehensive survey indicated poor water

                  quality throughout the City portion of the Gwynns Falls, primarily due

                  to undersized sections of the Gwynns Falls interceptor. At this point

                  in time, the stream was dotted with signs indicating "DMGER - TYPHOID

                  FEVER- POLIA= WATER-KEEP OUT.







                                                                                       22



                  The Natural Environment Tod




                       The natural environment that can be found surrounding the Middle

                  Branch today is a small fraction in quantity and bears little re-

                  semblance in quality to what was found two centuries ago (Figures

                  7A-7F). Development of the watershed has resulted in continued

                  siltation, creating a hostile environment for bottom-dweller and sub--

                  merged vegetation. Industrial and sewage discharges have polluted the

                  waters. Deforestation has all but obliterated forest habitat and


                  shoreline filling has removed vast acres of wetland vegetation. As a

                  result, only the most tolerant wildlife species remain, and many of the

                  waterbirds no longer nest here. Even so, the Middle Branch has some of

                  the best wetland habitat found in the City, where people can still de-

                  light in viewing herons, egrets, and ducks feeding.

                       Water Quality - Water quality in the Middle Branch and Gwynns

                  Falls is in a degraded condition, though improvements have been made in

                  the last decade. Biological studies show that there is a diversity of

                  fish and wildlife that would benefit from water quality improvements.

                  The aesthetic and recreational environment would also benefit from


                  improved water quality.

                       Water quality data on the Middle Branch is either out-dated or

                  scarce. Extensive studies performed in the 1970's (Maryland 303E,

                  1974) revealed that fecal coliform counts in the harbor, an indicator

                  of sewage pollution, were in extreme violation of health standards for

                  water contact recreation. Sampling in the Middle Branch in 1985 also

                  indicated significant health standard violations. Recent improvements

                  in sewer conveyance system are expected to make significant

                  improvements in the amount of sewage contamination.





                                          FIGURE 7A             Environmental Conditions

                             Waterbird congregation



                                          Mitigation site (sediments pending
                                                               new planting)



                     T

                                                   Erosion
                                                                                                        Manicured
                                                                  7                    J.                landlscape
                   WATIERVEW RMSTRAL
                                                    #7-
                           PARK




                                                     Oak   woodlot

                                                                         Early   successional
                                                                               woodlot


           KEY


                   URBAN LAND
                    GREATER THAN 80%
                                     IMPERVIOUS


                   RECENTLY DISTURBED LAND


                   MOWED LAWN

                   MOWED LAWN W/ SCATTERED TREES

                   SHRUB-SCRUB I OLD FIELD

                   YOUNG RIPARIAN TREES
      "N'          WETLAND

                   WOODLOT


                                                                                    4.
                4A




                                                                                                                  0
                                                                                                                 0
                                                                                                                 C',
                                                                           ............REEDBIRD PARK--'
                                        44



                                                                                                          Capped I
                                                 1,DDLE BRANCH PARK
                                                                                                                          Soo,
                   KEY MAP                   ExIsUng Environmentai Condidons




                                    FIGURE 713            Environmental Condllion.s

      KEY


              URBAN LAND
               GREATER THAN 80% IMPERVIOUS


              RECENTLY DISTURBED LAND


              MOWED LAWN


              MOWED LAWN W/ SCATTERED TREES


         ee,
       10     SHRUB-SCRUB OLD FIELD

              YOUNG RIPARIAN TREES


              WETLAND


              WOODLOT

                                                                                   . ..........
                                                 Q
                                                                                        ..........
                                                                 . .... ...




                                0
                                                                                                               re  0
                                4,
                                                    ,Z?
      I-Land use Incompatible iA
                                       rl water                                                              dred
     '@-:Jquallty objectives. Extended
         non-compliance of
         NPDES permit.


                                                                                                   Proposed wetland
                              zi.
                  2

                                                                :L:4
                          d",









       J,
                                                                   ,#WESTPORT

                                                        4
                                                                                                                ditions
                                                                      %Existing EnvironM6ntal              Con
                                            7.7

                                                                                                                IRBOR
                                                                IV

                                                                  Propose
                                                                            d 20'wide
                                                                  buffer planting


                         ......                                 Tidal wetland

                                                                       0            400'
                                                                           OMMUL
                                                                                                     KEY MAP
                                                                       scale
                                                eam




                                   FIGURE       7C       Environmental Conditions

                                                                                                      L__      L


                                    kr.'s


                                                                                                 : 9j
                                                           Rats"  STADR *A       7a
                                                           'It @Alt

                                                                                          0
                            I                                                                                       Z!

                                                                                                           UM
      KEY
           KEY MAP                                                     L


              URBAN LAND
               GREATER THAN 80% IMPERVIOUS
                                                       /V       _):    1,
                                                                                                                      tr
              RECENTLY DISTURBED LAND
                                                                         %\

                                                                                          -V
              MOWED LAWN
                                                                                                Q;"T
              MOWED LAWN W/ SCATTERED TREES                                               1. 10
                                                                                                aL
                                                                                                                    *P-,
              SHRUB-SCRUB I OLD FIELD


              YOUNG RIPARIAN TREES
                                                        FOMALL
                                                                                                      lip,
              WETLAND


              WOODLOT








            X
         0,


                                                                                            "M   If


                                                                                                                    t
                40
                                                                                                                JVV
     X   3/'  .0t
                                                                                        sa.
                                                                                                       r;



                                               Waterbird

                                                                                          7.
                                                                                                        -PIP
                                                    area

                                                                                    ."J



                                                                                                                       0,41





                                    Ni

                                                                         1-95
                                                                                           .. ........
                                                                                  grasses  & forbes
      UPPER MIDDLE BRANCH                                                                               0           800'
      Existing Environmental Conditions                                                                  scale




                                          FIGURE 71)                Environmental Conditions

                                                                                                     KEY


                                                                                                              URBAN LAND
                                                                                                                GREATER THAN 80% IMPERVIOUS


                                                                                                              RECENTLY DISTURBED LAND


                                                                                                              MOWED LAWN
                                       pone     wa     e  site   -
                                                                                                              MOWED LAWN W1 SCATTERED TREES
                                                                                                     EMSHRUB-SCRUB I OLD FIELD
            umulating            Stone bulkhead            .........
    /Acc                                                                                                      YOUNG RIPARIAN TREES
                                                         ..........
                                                ..............
      sediments                            ....
                                                                                                              WETLAND
                                                                                                     EE3
                                   9w": PAPK:::::: -
       and trash                   .....................
                               ...........  ;..............                                                   WOODLOT


                               ...................


                                                ...............
                                      ...................   I......
                                                       ...............


                                                       73










           riprap





                                                                                  ... .......


                                                       ............ ...



                                                              ..... .........
                                                                  . ..........


                                                 Petroleum
                                                  contaminated                                                                       I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                                                  runoff





                                    RBOR
                          INNER HA







                                                SWANN FARK/CENTRAL GARAGE                                                         E
                                                Existing Environmental Conditions                                   0                40 0'.

                  KEY MAP                                                                                            scale




                                        FIGURE 7E            Environmental Conditions

                                                                                    KEY


                                                                                          URBAN LAND
                                                                                    Im      GREATER THAN 80% IMPERVIOUS

                                                                                          RECENTLY DISTURBED LAND


                                                                                          MOWED LAWN


                                                                                          MOWED LAWN W/ SCATTERED TREES


                                                                                          SHRUB-SCRUB / OLD FIELD
                                                                                    Fe-B  YOUNG RIPARIAN TREES
                                                                                    ED    WETLAND
                                   N                                                      WOOD
                                                                                               LOT







                                                       North  side  of  stream from     this point  to  the
                                                       Middle Branch fill    area   - formerly   tidal  wetland
                Z
                                            71











                                       @X

                                        1P
                                                    *b





               I -  Land use Incompatible        with water quality     objectives

                                     R@ -
                         INNERJ@
                                                                                           0
                          A                                                                  0 1,:,

                  %



                                        A             er
                                           LOWER GWYNNS FALLS                                            0            800
                                            EAsting'Envir'oh6ental Condiflons
                 KEY    MAP                                                                               scale





                                                  FIGURE 7F                Environmental Conditions


                                     MON
                                                  wl'@pM
                                  ED                  I I
                                                      L




                                                             Concrete batching Incompatible with
                                             --A  I

                                                              wa    e
                                                                   t r quality & habitat objectives
                                        N

                                           N
      .T
                                                                                  '@-'.-AREA BOUNDARY

                                                                                                       KEY


                                                                                                               URBAN LAND
                                                                                                                  GREATER THAN 80% IMPERVIOUS

                                                                                                                RECENTLY DISTURBED LAND

                            ris                                                                                MOWEDLAWN
                                                            X
           L
                                                                                                               MOWED LAWN W/ SCATTERED TREES


                                                                                                               SHRUB-SCRUB / OLD FIELD


                                                                                                               YOUNG RIFARIAN TREES


                                                                                                              WETLAND


                                                                                                               WOODLOT
         Railroad          roperty
          used     by public
                                                                                                Junk     yard Incompatible with
                                                                                 'w
                                                                                  M;@
                                                                                                water quality & habitat
                                                                                 WE,
                                                                                                   kI--tIveskNP
                                                                                                                 Wirt bikes creating
                                                                                  S"v"                            mud Pollution







                                                     :@ Tr,@@

           Potential to I                                         g
                                  ncrease       landscap        n
                                                 k                                      .....:
            of new Industrial              par                                        . .....
                                                                                                                CAHROLL PARK
                                            W4AM


                                               U;T--r-Tz
                                  =Nonni,


                                                                                                                        7-
                                                                                                          X
                                                               \X



                                                                                                     Dumping
                                                               MIDDLE GWYNNS FALLS                                         '0               1000,
                         KEY MAP                                Existing Environmental Conditions
                                                                                                                           scale







                                                                                        23


                       The sources of pollution in the Middle Branch include point source

                  and non-point sources. Point sources within Baltimore City include

                  approximately 25 industries in the Gwynns Falls watershed with National

                  Pollution Discharge Elimination (NPDES) permits (additional point

                  sources are probably located in Baltimore County). Six of these indus-

                  tries discharge directly to the Middle Branch. The circulation pattern

                  of the habor waters may also be contributing toxic and organic pollu-,

                  tants from dischargers in other areas of the harbor.

                       Another point source of pollutants to the Middle Branch are

                   permitted overflows" from the sanitary sewer conveyance system. The

                  sewer was designed to overflow into the Gwynns Falls through cross

                  connections with the storm drain system. Preliminary monitoring of the

                  overflows indicates that new sewer lines, the Gwynns Falls interceptor

                  and southwest diversion, have eliminated this source of pollutants.

                       Non-point sources of pollutants include unidentified leakages from

                  the sanitary sewer conveyance system as well as urban runoff (and per-

                  haps some agricultural runoff in Baltimore County). The Gwynns Falls

                  interceptor was designed to carry wet weather flows which are a result

                  of the infiltration of water into the conveyance system during storms.

                  These surges are a result of water entering the system at cracks and

                  joints in the line. Discharges may occur in some of these damaged

                  areas. Where exfiltration is observed by the City or reported by pri-

                  vate citizens, the City makes repairs as funds are available.

                       Urban runoff is a significant pollutant of the Middle Branch.

                  Recent modeling by the Environmental Defense Council has suggested that

                  for those pollutants found in storm water runoff (copper, lead, zinc,

                  and petroleum products being the major pollutants), the contributions

                  made by urban runoff may exceed those of industry.






                                                                                         24


                       Toxic materials including heavy metals and pesticides, have also

                  been found in the sediments of the Middle Branch. Allied Chemical once


                  produced Kepone north of where Swann Park is now located. Presumably,

                  sediments of the Middle Branch may be contaminated with this material.

                  The Clean Water Act has resulted in a significant decrease of toxic

                  industrial discharge, and presumably the quality of habor sediments is

                  improving. New contributions of sediments from the watershed which are

                  contaminated with urban runoff pollutants may be of higher quality than

                  the sediments from industries of the past. Studies have shown that the

                  bottom of dwelling organisms of the harbor are more prolific,

                  indicating an improved sediment environment.

                       Aquatic Environment --The aquatic environment of the Middle

                  Branch is characterized by pollution tolerant species which live in the

                  polluted waters, sediments, and wetlands. The sources of pollution and

                  the lack of comprehensive water quality data since 1971 have already

                  been discussed. The following description of the Middle Branch's

                  acquaticenviroament is based on that data and on a limited, more

                  recent sampling.   Most of the data is from harbor-wide sampling, and

                  so should be used with caution in assessing the Middle Branch.

                       The three water quality factors are of greatest importance to

                  aquatic environment - are dissolved oxygen, metals contaminationY and

                  polluted sediments. Low dissolved oxygen may be a problem in the

                  Middle Branch, particularly in the deeper portions. Recent investi-

                  gations of the harbor indicate that metals concentrations may also be a

                  problem for aquatic life in the harbor.

                       A 1971 characterization of the aquatic life of the harbor indi-

                  cated that the harbor had a large population of fish including men-

                  haden, white perch, herring, and yellow perch. However, there was a







                                                                                       25


                 noticeable absence of bottom fishes, probably due to heavily contami-

                 nated bottom sediments. In addition, fish showed signs of stress from

                 pollution. The crab population decreases in numbers moving upstream.

                      Two studies have been performed to investigate the health risks of

                 consuming crabs and fish from Baltimore Harbor. Polychlorinated

                 biphenols and chlordane have been found in crab and fish tissue.

                 Levels of these contaminants in crabs were not found to constitute


                 a human health risk. A warning was recommended for the consumption of

                 eels and channel catfish: "the public should be warned against making

                 these fish a substantial part of their diet. Women of childbearing

                 age, infants and children should be advised against the consumption of

                 (eels and channel catfish)".

                      The most important factor affecting the in-stream habitat of the

                 Gwynns Falls suffers from the change in hydrology resulting from

                 development in the watershed. Impacts from this development include

                 erosion, sedimentation, rapid flood flows, as well as pollution from

                 urban runoff and sewage. Fish sampling in the Gwynns Falls in 1987

                 found 27 species of fish including blacknose dace, creek chub, white

                 sucker, and green sunfish. These species represent 41% of those fish

                 which may have historically occurred in the Gwynns Falls.

                      The Middle Branch contains some of the most extensive tidal wet-


                 lands of Baltimore Harbor. Mudflats and emergent vegetation such as

                 cordgrass and cattails support a diversity of waterbirds including

                 seagulls, herons, and egrets at some times of the year. Possum, rac-

                 coon, muskrat, reptiles and amphibians also benefit from the wetlands.

                 The Masonville Cove is a particularly important habitat for wintering

                 waterfowl such as black ducks.






                                                                                         26



                       Shoreline and Terrestrial Habitat - The entire shoreline of the


                  Middle Branch has been altered throughout the last two centuries.

                  Three areas have experienced the greatest changes in shoreline configu-

                  ration due to filling. Steep slopes and rubble erosion protection

                  characterize the shores north of the railroad bridge, at the mouth of

                  the Patapsco River where Reedbird Park is located, and at the Mason-

                  ville dredge disposal site. The remainder of the shoreline has been

                  altered or filled to a lesser extent than these sites,, often exhibiting

                  eroded areas and small coves which trap debris from the storm drains.

                       Two known waste disposal sites are located in the Middle Branch:

                  Reedbird Park east and west of the Patapsco River, and an old Allied

                  Chemical industrial site south of BG&E Spring Gardens. The Reedbird

                  landfills are composed of municipal waste to the west of the river and

                  construction debris to the east. Maryland State Department of the Envi-

                  ronment monitors the western site for possible harbor contamination due

                  to leachate. The old Allied site is a toxic waste site with Kepone and

                  has been"capped" to safeguard the public against hazard. The quality

                  of the fill material of the entire shore is unknown and could affect


                  harbor water quality.

                  Terrestrial Habitat


                       The entire upland area of the Middle Branch has been disturbed at

                  some point time. Most of the area is now developed, though pockets of

                  secondary natural growth occur, especially along the stream valley.

                  The most extensive natural areas occur at the Reedbird landfills,

                  Masonville dredge disposal site, and along the Gwynns Falls. Bird

                  species include common "edge" species such as mockingbird, bluejay, and

                  robin, wintering birds such as junco, and migrants if they happen to

                  land on their migration. Some of the fields in the area support field









                                                                                        27



                  birds such as the ring neck pheasant. Mammals probably include

                  oppossum, raccoon, skunk, rabbits, voles, moles, and rodents. Various

                  reptiles and amphibians can probably be found especially associated

                  with the wetland areas.


                       Environment of the Gwynns Falls - The terrestrial environment of

                  the Middle and Lower Gwynns Falls ranges from mature woodlands to

                  highly degraded industrial properties. The Middle Gwynns Falls has

                  mature woodlands along much of its length on steep banks, interspersed

                  with industrial and residential land use and two cemeteries. The Lower


                  Gwynns Falls is dominated by industrial land interspersed with areas of

                  open space that has been disturbed in the last 20 years.

                       A park system containing a significant amount of land borders the

                  Gwynns Falls. The largest parcels are north of the Middle Branch and

                  outside the study limits. Still, these wooded parklands contribute to

                  the habitat value of the lower reach since they are connected through a

                  waterway corridor. The value of the habitat of the Gwynns Falls is

                  increased by the fact that it is linked to other significant habitats

                  along the stream.

                       Parks within the middle Gwynns Falls include Gwynns Falls Park and

                  Ellicott Drive. The majority of the Gwynns Falls Park and Ellicott

                  Drive remains in a natural condition of mature Oak-Hickory forest.

                  These areas are among the highest quality habitats in the city and

                  unusual in an urban environment.


                       The Middle Gwynns Falls between Edmundson Avenue and Frederick

                  Road is highly aesthetic in quality including steeply wooded banks and

                  scenic rock outcrops. Just above Frederick Avenue the stream flood-

                  plain broadens which not-coincidentally marks the beginnings of

                  development- to the west are ballfields and to the east is industry.







                                                                                       28


                       Below Frederick Avenue the quality of habitat along the stream is

                  significant disturbed. A narrow band of vegetation hugs the stream

                  bank for most of its length with industry encroaching at one or both

                  sides. Some areas have been stabilized with gabions. Significant open

                  space occurs at Carroll Park Golf Course, providing edge habitat to

                  urban species. Open space is also associated with the 1-95 right-of-

                  way, where old field and shrub-scrub plant communities provide habitat

                  for field and edge species. This kind of natural habitat is rare in

                  the city. The stream adds significantly to the value of the habitat,

                  though the quality is limited by the isolating affects of the highway

                  and adjoining industries.

                       The vegetation associated with the Gwynns Falls are members of the

                  Oak-Hickory forest at various stages of succession. Those areas of

                  mature forest are associated with park lands and are dominated by oak,

                  hickory, and tulip poplar on the uplands and box elder, maple, ash, and

                  willow in the bottomlands. Disturbed areas are vegetated with such

                  species as black locust, pawlonia, and mulberry.

                       The wildlife species which probably live in the area include

                  species which can be supported by the immediate habitat as well as

                  species which depend on Leakin Park for breeding habitat but travel

                  along the corridor for feeding. Common species include raccoon,

                  opossum, gray squirrel, eastern chipmunk, moles, shrews, and rodents,

                  and innumerable "edge" species of birds (i.e. species which typically

                  live at the edge of forests and suburban areas). Uncommon species

                  which have been observed in the area include owls and hawks. Foxes


                  have also been obsered, which are present in most of the natural areas

                  of significant size in the city. A large variety of reptiles and

                  amphibians probably inhabit the middle Gwynns Falls.






                                                                                       29


                      Recent Trends in Water Quality and Habitat - Noticeable improve-

                  ments have occurred in the water quality and habitat of the Middle

                  Branch in the last decade. The Gwynns Falls interceptor was designed

                  to ca rry all of the excessive sewer flows which were responsible for

                  major overflows in the Gwynns Falls sewershed. Though no data is    -

                  available to document the water quality improvement, routine monitoring

                  has demonstrated that the occurrence of malo overflows is now

                  insignificant. Minor leakages, however, which may have a significant

                  cumulative effect on water quality, have not been addressed. The

                  reduction of major overflows should result in a decrease in bacteria

                  as well as nutrient contributions in the Middle Branch. As these com-


                  ponents decrease, dissolved oxygen should increase, improving water

                  quality for habitat.

                      The numbers of water birds and terrestrial birds in the Middle


                  Branch has increased noticeably in the last decade, perhaps as a result

                  of two factors: conversion of industrial land in the Middle Branch


                  Park area to vegetated open space, and an increase in vegetated tidal

                  wetlands. These observations are a testimony to the fact that we can

                  expect greater wildlife activity as further environmental improvements

                  are made. As the Middle Branch Park matures, its value to wildlife

                  will increase as birds develop a migratory memory for the place and

                  vegetation at the park matures. Wetland plants have been naturally

                  expanding as sediment deposits at the mouth of the Gwynns Falls and the

                  Upper Middle Branch, though efforts to plant new wetland vegetation in

                  the Middle Branch have had limited success. BRESCO will be planting

                  wetland vegetation on their dredge disposal site located just north of

                  the railroad bridge on the western shore of the Middle Branch. Thus,



 1                                                                                     30
 1                wetland vegetation can be expected to increase in area if present
                  trends continue.
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I                                        -
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I








                                                                                          31



                  PARK SYSTEM PLANNING




                       The Middle Branch has been part of several park plans in the

                  twentieth century. The common challenge for all these plans was to

                  achieve public access to the privately owned and industrially developed

                  waterfront.




                  The 1904 Olmsted Plan


                       The Olmsted Brothers were commissioned in 1904 by the Municipal

                  Arts Society to complete a comprehensive plan for the entire Baltimore

                  park system. At that time Swann Park was the only public land on the

                  Middle Branch waterfront or the Gwynns Falls. The Olmsted report made

                  extensive recommendations for developing public access along much of

                  Baltimore's waterfront and stream valleys.

                       For the Middle Branch area, the consultants recommended purchasing

                  marshes, shoreline, mudflats and upland areas around the mouth of the

                  Patapsco River. Specifically, the following recommendations were made:

                       0    Provide a bathing beach (where Broening Park and South

                            Baltimore General Hospital are presently located.)

                       0    Realign "Long Bridge" (previously connecting Ferry Bar Point

                            to Brooklyn) for access to the present Broening Park, and

                            design a causeway over the Patapsco to Brooklyn.

                       0    "Reclaim" mudflats at the mouth of the Patapsco by creating a

                            lake as a settling basin to trap sediments which are settling

                            in the harbor navigation channel.

                       0    Create a land connection between the Patapsco River Park and

                            Mt. Winans, purchasing lands between the existing electric







                                                                                       32


                            car line and waterway (more or less what is now the Rowing

                            Club section of Middle Branch Park).

                       The plan proposed development of a continuous greenway throughout

                  the Gwynns Falls Valley, specifically:

                       0    Fill the "marshy area" at the mouth of the Gwynns Falls to

                            create park land.

                       -0   Purchase a continuous greenway along the stream (specific

                            land areas were mapped averaging in width from 350 to 800


                            feet.


                       0    Create a parkway link to Druid Hill Park (now the Gwynns

                            Falls Parkway).




                  The Olmsted Brothers 1926 Plan


                       The Olmsted Brothers were hired again in 1926 to reassess the

                  recreational needs and opportunities in Baltimore. By this time, the

                  City had purchased much of the area recommended in the 1904 plan. Sig-

                  nificant parcels were purchased along the Gwynns Falls, although the

                  lower Gwynns Falls, downstream from Carroll Park, remained in private

                  ownership. Broening Park and Swann Park were the only public lands on

                  the Middle Branch waterfront.


                       The 1926 plan deleted some areas identified for acquisition in the

                  1904 plan, and recommended new areas for acquisition. The areas in the

                  Gwynns Falls valley and the Middle Branch which were deleted from the

                  1904 plan included:

                       0    The lower Gwynns Falls

                       0    Middle Branch connecting link to Winans (now the Rowing Club)

                       0    Patapsco River Park (now Reedbird Park)








                                                                                       33


                       While the authors do not explain these deletions, presumably the

                  lands had become developed making them inappropriate for park use and

                  too expensive.

                       The new recommendations for acquisition in the Gwynns Falls Valley

                  or Middle Branch included:


                       0    Dead Run stream valley (now Leakin Park)

                       0    Powdermill Run (now City-owned)

                       0    Harbor waterfront parcels including: Fort Howard, Fort

                            Smallwood, Swann Creek, Fort Armistead and Black Marsh (Ft.

                            Smallwood and Fort Armistead are now City-owned. Ft. Howard

                            and Black Marsh are owned by the State and Baltimore County.)

                       0    Unidentified surplus land from the Western Maryland Railroad.




                  Olmsted Brothers 1941 Plan


                       The Commission on the City Plan hired Olmsted Brothers in 1941 to

                  make recommendations for a City-wide park system. Their recommen-

                  dations were illustrated on eleven maps which are not available today.

                  As a result, the specifics of their ideas are difficult to decipher.

                  However, several written comments addressed the Middle Branch:

                       "Swann Park already exists on the shore of the Middle Branch, and

                       so do two small park areas at the northern end of Hanover Street

                       Bridge...and Broening Park. We do not believe that the investment

                       of money in additional waterside recreational areas on the Middle

                       Branch would be as productive as would the same expenditure in...

                       other places. We recommend that Waterview Avenue be developed as

                       an additional thorough-fare into the City..(which) would have a

                       recreational value. To acquire sufficient level land for a park

                       along this shore would mean the dispossessing of a going business






                                                                                        34


                       concern, thus raising the cost of the land... for which equally

                       good park areas could be bought elsewhere."



                       Olmsted Brothers also expressed concern about the quality and use

                   of existing park land:

                       "We believe that the present acreage of Baltimore parks is in-

                       sufficient, and yet a considerable portion of this acreage is now

                       practically unused. The reason for this is    we believe, that the

                       City has not appropriate sufficient funds so that the parks could

                       be properly developed..(and) kept up, so that a tradition and

                       pride in the proper use of parks could be encouraged."



                       The consultants also warned against the encroachment of traffic in

                   recreation areas, which "may travel for speed and economic convenience

                   instead of for pleasure."



                   Simonds and Simonds Parks and Recreation Plan, 1964

                       A Parks and Recreation Plan for Baltimore City was prepared by

                   Simonds and Simonds in 1964. The consultants observed that Baltimore


                   had not responded to the increased emphasis on water-oriented recre-

                   ation and that the stream valleys and estuary provided unique

                   opportunities.

                       They proposed establishing a park which would completely encircle

                   the Middle Branch on new land to be created by filling. The Middle

                   Branch Park was designed to be a 300-acre regional park with marina,

                   swimming facilities, amphitheater, aquarium, restaurant, multi-use

                   parking, play fields, and trails. The plan included a trail system and

                   picnic areas along the lower Gwynns Falls linking the Middle Branch to








                                                                                        35



                   Gwynns Falls Park. In the years since Simonds and Simonds made their

                   proposal the situation has changed. 1-95 was constructed making the

                   realization of the Gwynns Falls trail link difficult. Also., the

                   creation of new land by filling the Middle Branch is not likely to be

                   approved under the present federal and state regulations.




                   City-wide Bikeway Pl

                       A City-wide bikeway plan was designed in 1977 as part of a

                   national initiative, "The Unified Transportation Planning Program."

                   The system included bike trails and lanes which extended from the City

                   boundary at 1-70, through the Gwynns Falls Valley, around the periphery

                   of the Middle Branch, and connecting with the Inner Harbor and the

                   Patapsco River State Park. Parts of the trail have been constructed in


                   the southern shore of the Middle Branch and in Carroll Park.




                   1977 Middle Branch Plan


                       In 1978, the Baltimore City Planning Commission adopted the

                   "Middle Branch Plan" which ambitiously redesigned the open space system

                   of the area. The Plan's objective was to create "Baltimore's largest

                   shoreline park".

                       At that time, Middle Branch park lands were limited to Swann Park,

                   Broening Park and the mouth of the Gwynns Falls. Additional public

                   land was to be created as part of the landfill underway south of

                   Central Garage. The improvements which resulted from the 1978 plan

                   include:


                       0     Neighborhood recreation facilities at Reedbird Park.
                             Including a multi-purpose field, tennis courts, basketball
                             courts, softball diamond, and fishing pier.

                       0     Ramps and piers at Broening Park.









                                                                                            36



                        0     Waterview Avenue Shoreline Park with the Water Resources
                              Center and Rowing Club.

                        0     Conversion of 10 acres of junk yards to Waterview West Park
                              (no facilities).

                        0     Improvements to the City-owned Baltimore Yacht Basin.

                        0     Standards for new development at the Waterview Industrial
                              Center to promote an attractive setting.

                        0     Wetlands mitigation for Fort McHenry Tunnel.

                        0     Sewer improvements.

                        0     A new animal shelter with a site plan compatible with the
                              park.

                   The Plan also made recommendations which have not been realized
                   including:

                        ï¿½     A land-swap with CSX where Swann park would be relocated
                              south of the railroad (negotiations dropped by CSX).

                        ï¿½     Landscaping at Central Garage landfill (fill still not
                              suitable for planting).

                        ï¿½     Easements acquisition, landscaping, and a hiker/biker trail
                              along the CSX property on the north shore of the Middle
                              Branch and BG&E Spring Garden site.

                        ï¿½     Completion of the hiker/biker trail   system.

                        0     Picnic tables at the animal shelter   site.


                        ï¿½     A boat launch at the Central Garage   (abandoned in favor of
                              expanding boat launches at Broening   Park).

                        ï¿½     Play fields, picnic pavilion, observation/fishing pier at
                              Waterview Park.

                        ï¿½     Play fields, landscaping, children's areas sports fields,
                              parking and connection to County Southwest Park, Patapsco
                              River State Park at Reedbird Park.


                        ï¿½     Lookout Park beneath 1-95.
                   Middle Branch Park Toda


                        The Middle Branch Rowing and Water Resources Center is the center

                   of recreational activity in the park. Activities include boating,

                   environmental education, catered events, and neighborhood festivals.

                   Equipment includes 10 canoes, 6 rowing shells, 6 handicapped rowing








                                                                                       37


                  catamarans, and environmental education equipment. The facility is

                  open during the week year-round and on the weekends during the summer.

                       The Rowing Center is regularly used by local rowers. Since rowing

                  is a specialized boating skill requiring training, the general public

                  cannot rent the skulls. There is a program on weekdays to teach child-

                  ren to row the skulls. The general public can rent canoes. However,

                  since there is not enough staff to manage the activity, canoe rental is

                  not publicized. Part of the problem is that the facility makes manage-

                  ment of boat rental difficult because boat storage is located in the

                  main building, more than 100 feet from the water.

                       The Park's main building is a beautiful facility with several

                  deficiencies. The Center's catering function (a revenue-producing

                  activity) and the environmental education program often conflict

                  because they share the same space. For instance, storage is inadequate

                  for moving educational material out of the way for catered events. A

                  snack bar or restaurant is needed to serve park users. Storage for

                  park maintenance equipment is inadequate. The Center needs support

                  facilities for annual rowing events including a watch tower and public

                  viewing area.

                       Use of Middle Branch Park has increased over the years. Neigh-

                  borhood festivals, rowing, crabbing and fishing, jogging, biking, and

                  informal play by neighborhood children are the major activities. Ad-

                  ditional facilities and marketing could increase the City-wide and

                  regional use of the park. In particular, a restaurant, non-powered

                  boat rental, family picnic facilities, and playing fields would

                  complement the present facilities.









                                                                                        38



                  PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES





                  MIDDLE BRANCH PARK




                  0    Inadequate parking for park facilities - While parking for the

                       Broening Boat Launch, the Water Resources Center and Rowing Club,

                       and the Vietnam Memorial is adequate for normal use, limited

                       parking for cars with boat trailers coupled with peak use for

                       festivals and memorial events leads to a parking problem during

                       summer weekends.




                  0    Inadequate storage for park equipment - The Water Resources

                       Center/Rowing Club building does not have adequate indoor storage

                       for the park's equipment, especially gasoline powered boats and

                       maintenance equipment.



                  0    Problem propert - There is a vacant property, a former dry

                       cleaners, on Potee Street at Waterview Avenue. This site is right

                       on the doorstep of Middle Branch Park and adjacent to the Vietnam

                       Memorial. Because of the prominence of the site and the volume of

                       traffic on the adjacent streets, the site is attractive for commer-

                       cial development. Specifically, a gas station has been proposed.

                       The Planning Department and the Zoning Board opposed the proposal

                       arguing that a gas station at this location is inappropriate for

                       the park and natural environment. It is likely that without pub-

                       lic intervention, the site will continue to sit vacant and be the

                       subject of future development battles.






                                                                                       39



                  0    Habitat Threatened by development - A 10 acre mature oak wood

                       lot is located south of Waterview Avenue, across from the Rowing

                       Club. This habitat is rare in the Critical Area, uncommon in the

                       entire City, and provides a buffer between industry and

                       residential land use.




                  0    Inadequate Landscapin - Middle Branch Park and Reedbird Park

                       have an inadequate amount of landscaping for both the aesthetic

                       needs of a park as well as habitat needs.




                  0    Middle Branch Moorings - Middle Branch Moorings, a private

                       marina on the Middle Branch, has limited parking. Its owners

                       would like to have a place for overflow parking nearby. The

                       marina experiences considerable difficulty with trash collecting

                       around the piers, boats, and the wetlands area. The operators of

                       the marina are attempting to establish the wetlands as mitigation

                       for an area they filled several years ago to enlarge the marina

                       parking lot.



                  0    Waterview West - Waterview West is an undeveloped area of water-

                       front park land. The site was once a junk yard, but the land has

                       been cleared and covered with clean soil. There are no specific

                       development plans for the parcel. It now is used as a viewing

                       areas for rowing races. A small wooden tower for race officials

                       is the only improvement on the site. The shoreline has both

                       wetland and upland vegetation. The remainder of the site is a

                       weedy field mowed occasionally for rowing events and used as an

                       overflow parking area for events at the Water Resources Center.







                                                                                        40


                   0    Wetlands- A tidal wetland is located at the cove enclosed by

                        Waterview West and Merit Concrete. This area is frequented by

                        water birds despite the environmental impacts of the concrete

                        batching plant.




                   WESTPORT




                   0    Concrete Batching Plant - On the waterfront at the inter-


                        section of Waterview Avenue and Kloman Street is a concrete


                        batching plant, a facility where concrete is mixed and loaded

                        into trucks. The plant's dust, runoff, excess concrete and

                        truck traffic are a chronic nuisance for the environment and the


                        adjacent neighborhood. Although the plant has been cited a number

                        of times for pollution and illegal fill, the activities continue.



                   0    Waterfront industries and public access - The remainder of the

                        Westport waterfront is occupied by two large facilities - the

                        Carr-Lowery Glass Company, a glass manufacturer, and the Baltimore

                        Gas and Electric Westport Power Plant, an oil-fired electric gener-

                        ator used only for peak loads. Since the shoreline along both

                        facilities is highly developed, public access to the waterfront

                        cannot be allowed as long as the plants operate. While Baltimore

                        Gas and Electric is beginning to study the potential for redevelop-

                        ment of it s Westport properties, it will be several years before

                        any changes that place.



                   0    The Young American Ballpark - Just south of 1-95 the Young Ameri-

                        can softball field is an underutilized facility isolated from the







                                                                                        41


                       neighborhood it was intended to serve. The roar of the interstate

                       overhead detracts from the casual use of the site as a passive

                       park.




                  ï¿½    The Lijtht Rail Line - The ballfield will be used as a con-

                       struction staging area for the light rail project. The light rail

                       line itself will eventually cross the ball field site. A light

                       rail stop will be built farther south in Westport at the eastern

                       end of Kent Street above Kloman Street. The entire neighborhood

                       including the Westport Homes and Mt. Winans public housing

                       projects will be with in walking distance which should promote

                       heavy ridership. The location of the station could create a

                       focale point in an area to which the neighborhood now turns its

                       back. This could be part of strengthening the neighborhoods ties

                       to the Middle Branch.




                  ï¿½    Western R.R. Bridge - The railroad line and bridge crossing the

                       Middle Branch between Westport and Swann Park will be abandoned.

                       This will allow the light rail to cross the line at grade. The

                       unused bridge is likely to remain.



                  ï¿½    New wetlands and buffer plantings - BRESCO is establishing a new

                       vegetated wetland between 1-95 and the railroad bridge. The light

                       rail project will do planting in the buffer between BRESCO and

                       Baltimore Gas and Electric as an offset for the Critical Area


                       impacts.









                                                                                             42



                    a    Absence of shoreline vegetation - The industries of Westport

                         have no upland or wetland vegetation along their shoreline.



                    0    Zonin - The M-3, heavy industrial, zoning of the Westport shore-

                         line potentially allows land uses which conflict with water

                         quality objectives.




                    UPPER MIDDLE BRANCH




                    0    BRESCO - The BRESCO plant is a trash incinerator which uses the

                         heat from incineration to generate electricity and steam. The

                         plant which is located north of 1-95 occupies a large part of the

                         north shore of the mouth of the Gwynns Falls. While the shoreline

                         is well landscaped, the location of the plant's water intake and

                         outfall structures makes it unlikely that BRESCO will permit

                         public access to the waterfront.




                    0    New natural wetlands - The finest tidal wetlands and mud      flats


                         of Baltimore Harbor arch north and east of the BRESCO plant as

                         sediments accumulate.




                    0    Drainage outfalls - The west side of the Upper Middle Branch is

                         deeply indented by five major drainage ways, formerly streams,

                         that drain the western side of the city. The channels for the

                         outfalls breakup the shoreline making a continuous public path

                         along the waterfront difficult to provide.





                                                                                        43


                  0     Prime habitat area - The natural wetlands along the west shore

                        make the area the most desirable for water birds. The remains of


                        wooden barges, old tires, and other debris provide perches for

                        water birds searching for prey. The shoreline vegetation is the

                        most natural along the Middle Branch with overgrown vacant lots

                        and trees along the water's edge. The CSX properties and the land

                        belonging to Maryland Chemical are prime urban wildlife habitat.

                        The 100-foot buffer on these lots is proposed to be designated as

                        Critical Area Habitat Protection Areas.




                  0     Stadium-related redevelopment - The vacant lots and and indus-

                        trial buildings on the west side of the Upper Middle Branch are

                        likely targets for redevelopment. The area will receive new expo-

                        sure due to the stadium. Specifically, Warner Street will be a

                        major route to the stadium parking lot. So far, the only activity

                        has been the sale of some significant parcels.



                  0     The northern shoreline - The City Animal Shelter occupies a

                        small site on Stockholm Street and maintains a natural shoreline


                        and picnic area. The elevated portion of the light rail line will

                        cross a tidal inlet and small stream just to the east of the

                        Shelter. Farther east between the stream and 1-95 is Form


                        Services Company, a new printing business that has plans for

                        expansion.



                  0     The Spring Gardens shoreline - Baltimore Gas and Electric

                        Company owns and occupies the eastern shore of the Upper Middle

                        Branch. Most of the site is used for a gas storage, liquification.







                                                                                       44



                       and distribution facility. The demolition of tanks on the north

                       side of the facility created a site for redevelopment. Due to

                       reorganization of the plant, much of the shoreline area is no

                       longer essential for operation. Baltimore Gas and Electric is

                       preparing a plan to further reorganize the site and comply with

                       the Critical Area regulations by planting the buffer area.



                  0    Zonin - The M-3, heavy industrial, zoning along the Upper

                       Middle Branch potentially allows land uses which conflict with

                       water quality objectives.



                  SWANN PARK/CENTRAL GARAGE




                  ï¿½    Kepone contamination - The land under the east end of 1-95 was

                       once occupied by Allied Chemical and is contaminated with Kepone.

                       The area was capped with asphalt when the interstate was

                       constructed. The capped area cannot be disturbed.



                  ï¿½    Swann Park - South of the Kepone site is Swann Park. This city

                       park has several softball fields and a clubhouse. These fields

                       are heavily used by city-wide leagues during the spring and

                       summer. Southern High School uses the fields for sports practice

                       during the school year.



                  0    New wetlands - Along the shoreline of Swann Park, new vegetated

                       wetlands are proposed as mitigation for the fill at the Belt's

                       Wharf project in Fells Point.









                                                                                       45


                  ï¿½    Western R.R. Bridge - The railroad line and bridge across the

                       Middle Branch between Swann Park and Westport will be abandoned.

                       The bridge structure will be retained. A portion of the railroad

                       line up to the bridge will remain active. The line is required

                       for switching trains to enter the Sun Paper's printing plant on

                       Port Covington.



                  ï¿½    CSX land - South of line leading to the railroad bridge is a

                       large parcel of land owned by CSX. The land is an open lot used

                       for lumber storage. The land is likely to be more intensely

                       developed in the future.



                  ï¿½    Central Garage - Between the CSX land and Hanover Street is the

                       city's Central Garage, a facility for the repair and storage of

                       all types of city-owned equipment. A fill project completed in

                       the early eighties expanded the garage site and provided parking

                       space along the shoreline. The site was filled with rubble and

                       dredged material. It may take more treatment before the land is

                       suitable for planting.




                  0    Public access along the shoreline - There is plenty of room

                       adjacent to the Central Garage for public access to the

                       waterfront. It is possible to extend the public path along the

                       shore line eastward under the Hanover Street Bridge to the

                       City-owned Baltimore Yacht Basin marina. From the Yacht Basin,

                       public access can return to the public street system serving Port

                       Covington. It may be necessary to secure the Yacht Basin from

                       public access at night.







                                                                                       46


                  0    Public access around Locke Insulator - The Locke Insulator plant

                       located next to the marina now blocks continuous public access to

                       the shoreline, Locke has applied for a permit to fill in more of

                       the water. The permit has not been granted. As Critical Area

                       mitigation for proposed fill, Locke would like to expand a pre-

                       vious mitigation project on the Patapsco River in Middle Branch

                       Park. The city has asked that public access be provided around

                       the plant in exchange for using park land for mitigation.




                  0    Public access to the Port Covington shoreline - The 140 acre

                       Port Covington business park east and north of Locke Insulators

                       will have ample green space along its shore. Ferry Bar Park will

                       be expanded, and public access will extend through the entire


                       Buffer area.




                  0    Lack of VeRetatio - The entire shoreline has only sparse upland

                       vegetation. Wetlands planted to partially initigate for the

                       Central Garage Fill have had limited success.



                  0    New Wetlands - Two areas are naturally accumulating sediments:

                       Swann Park and the CSX property, affording a future opportunity

                       for wetland vegetation.




                  LOWER GWYNNS FALLS




                  0    Intensely developed shoreline - Industrial uses crowd the south

                       shore of the stream between Annapolis Road and the Middle Branch.

                       The Interstate highway overhead has changed the stream's course









                                                                                         47



                        and encumbered its northern shore. BRESCO also occupies the

                        northern shore.




                   0    Undeveloped shoreline-with good habitat value - West of

                        Annapolis Road between Monroe Street and the Flanigan asphalt

                        plant, vacant lots owned by CSX are on both sides of the stream.,

                        The south side of the stream is virtually undevelopable due to its

                        location in the floodplain. The north side is a large old field

                        providing habitat for birds, reptiles and small mammals. A small

                        trucking company occupies part of this parcel on the north side of

                        the stream.




                   0    Flood protection dike expansion - Heading west, the remainder of

                        the north side of the stream is occupied by the embankment for

                        1-95 and a flood protection dike built by the City to protect the

                        land north of the dike. The Army Corps of Engineers proposes to

                        raise the height of the dike to provide protection for a 100-year

                        flood.




                   0    Industrial uses along the stream - Most of the south side of the

                        stream between Annapolis Road and Washington Boulevard is industri-

                        ally used. Many of the uses encroach on the stream. Moving west

                        along the stream from Annapolis Road is the Flanigan Company, a

                        concrete batching plant and asphalt recycler. Next is an active

                        CSX line which crosses the stream. Adjacent to the railroad is a

                        Southgate Industrial Park which is planned to be a multi-tenant

                        industrial redevelopment of the old Maryland Glass factory. This

                        project will comply with Critical Area and floodplain








                                                                                       48


                       regulations. Further east are small auto repair shops and junk

                       yards which occupy the land right up to the steam's edge.



                  0    City-owned floodway land - On the south side of the stream below

                       Washington Boulevard, the City purchased a large area of low-lying

                       land under the floodway acquisition program. All the structures

                       have been removed from the land although the streets remain.



                  0    City-owned highway land and bike pat - The north side of the

                       stream between the CSX line and Washington Boulevard was purchased

                       for the right-of-way for 1-95. A bike path was built along with

                       the construction of the elevated highway. Immediately north of

                       Washington Boulevard the stream runs along the Carroll Park golf


                       course.





                  MIDDLE GWYNNS FALLS




                  0    Industrial runoff - Industries along the Gwynns Falls may be in

                       violation of State water quality regulations for point source

                       pollution or runoff.



                  0    Industrial zonin - Except for Carroll Park golf course, the

                       land on either side of the Gwynns Falls from Washington Boulevard

                       to Wilkens Avenue is industrially zoned. Most of the land

                       including the Crossroads Industrial Park is zoned M-2, general

                       industrial. United Iron and Metal property, a large scrap metal

                       yard, is zoned M-3, heavy industrial. M-3 zoning and the uses it

                       allows are potentially incompatible with the aesthetic and








                                                                                        49


                        environmental goals of the greenway. Some M-2 uses also may be

                        incompatible.




                  0     Industrial encroachment on the stream - Some stream side land


                        uses encroach too closely to the stream to adequately buffer the

                        stream for water quality and habitat.




                  0     An important wood lot - The land north and west of the Genstar

                        quarry is an important wooded link in the greenway system. It may

                        be threatened by development at some point in the future.



                  0     Conservation opportunities - There are two small parcels owned

                        by CSX adjacent to Gwynns Falls Park. While these isolated

                        parcels are unlikely to be developed, it is important to protect

                        their natural features, for instance, by means of a conservation


                        easement.





                  0     Limited access to the stream for recreation - The locations


                        where recreational access to the Gwynns Falls is possible are

                        limited. Access at Gwynns Falls Park may be feasible, but the

                        steep topography in the wooded area would require sensitive

                        grading and construction. For use by residents city-wide, this

                        kind of recreational opportunity probably is best suited to Leakin

                        Park. However, trails could be used by neighborhood residents and

                        the athletic program of Southwestern High School (i.e., cross-

                        country training).






                                                                                       50


                  0     Bikeway - Several barriers exist which prevent a continuous

                        bikeway link between Middle Branch and Leakin Park. The most

                        practical alternative is to use existing roadways and pathway to

                        create this link. A continuous stream side trail is impossible

                        due to existing land use and the steep topography of the area. A

                        bikeway which depends too heavily on roadways may have a limited

                        appeal to bicyclists.



                   0    Ellicot Drive - Ellicot Drive along the Gwynns Falls is very

                        pleasant for biking and hiking. However, the roadway is uncom-

                        fortably narrow to share with automobiles and trucks.







                                                                                            51



                   RECO199MATIONS




                   WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND HABITAT ENHANCEMENT



                        Planning for water quality and habitat enhancement in the Middle

                   Branch should be performed to support the uses planned for the area

                   including:

                        0     Fishing

                        0     Crabbing

                        0     Fish and wildlife habitat for feeding and limited breeding

                        0     Limited recreational water contact (i.e., no swimming)

                        0     Viewing the harbor from adjacent land uses

                        0     Receiving industrial discharges




                   According  to the limited data available, the following improvements

                   need to be made to meet the criteria necessary to support the desired

                   uses of the Middle Branch and Gwynns Falls (see EPA, 1987).

                        0     Reduce the bacteriological level

                        0     Increase the dissolved oxygen

                        0     Decrease the nutrient contributions


                        0     Decrease the floating debris

                        0     Improve the bottom sediment quality (physical and chemical)

                        0     Increase the amount of natural shoreline and shoreline


                              vegetation

                        0     Reduce water column metals



                                                  Figure 8A - Recommendations


                          install naturalized woodlot
                             000ooNew picnic area wl active recreation
                                           Rowing event view area
                                                 Parking and/or active recreation

             WATERVIEW
                WEST



     _7
                                                 Landscape Middle                 Enhance landscaping
                                                  Branch Moorings


                C,  WATERVIEW INDUSTRIAL
                            PARK


                                                                                 n :.4  Ij -
                                                                                                                              Acquire




                                                                                                             1) a::
                                                        tect   woodlo
                                                    Pro                 t




                                                             -CHERRY HILL









                                                                                                                           &
                          KEY

                  0 HIKER/BIKER TRAIL    EXISTING
                                                                                                                    V
                    HIKER/BIKER TRAIL    PROPOSED                              Enhance    landscaping

                                                                                                                C
           0 0 0- 0 HIKER/BIKER TRAIL  - FUTURE                                                                 I
                                                                                                                    G%*e
           111111111111111111WETLAND PLANTING                                                                        Z..
                                                                                                           V.
                    BUFFER PLANTING




                                                               Enhance    habitat






                                                                                                                         JIF



                                                MIDDLE BRANCH PARK
                                                                                                                    In               Boo,
                  KEY MAP                        Recommendations
                                                                                                                       scale




                                             FIGURE 813              Recommendations













                   /'ir                                                                                EXIST. BALLFIELD





                          SO




                                                                                                                               Irp
                                                                                                                               g@
                                                                                             4"
                                                            0 b,       -or 0@0
         77
                                                                                  0@800000000,
                                          y
                  IV.
               1i                                                                                                      WESTERN R.R.
                                                                                                                       BRIDGE








                                                                                                               KEY

                                                                                                       0 HIKER/BIKER TRAIL - EXISTING
                                                                            0
                                                                                0                        HIKER/BIKER TRAIL - PROPOSED

                                                                                                0 0 0,0 HIKER/BIKER TRAIL - FUTURE
                         WESTPORT                                                               111111111111111111WETLAND PLANTING

                                                                                                waft= BUFFER PLANTING
                                 LRT STATION                           4")
                                                                                            WESTPORT
                                                                                            Recommendations

                                                                                                                       INNER HARBOR








                               V
                              @v
                                  'iXIST. CONCRETE
                                    PLANT

                                                                                0               400'
                                                                                 scale                            KEY MAP





                              FIGURE 8C        Recommen ations
                                                           Light Rail station';
                                                77-T:
                                                                                    T__ =7


                                                                                      Zip".




                                             WOMALL STAMM
                                                             Ught Rail
                                                              E
                                                                   @t arn
         KEY MAP
                                                       L
                          V,
                                         id,
                KEY

      0000 HIKER/BIKER TRAIL  EXISTING


            HIKERIBIKER TRAIL - PROPOSED


          -0 HIKERIBIKER TRAIL - FUTURE
      000
                                                         IN
                                     4?
                                                                              S7F5
      111111111111111111WETLAND PLANTING
                                                            Rail station
            BUFFER PLANTING                             Ught                          Emma
                                           FOOTBALL
                                      PROPOSED                                    runsW

                                                        b,
                 JLI
                                                        z
                                                              4y                           .0
                                                                                 - mt
                                                    *@ to

                 "J,
                                               Alp


                                      a  lu
                                      water nt
                                          0
                                       park                              Major Pedestrian Connection
     Pedestrian Bridge
                                                        C                    be -
                                Waterfront                           FORT -.i
                                                                      AVE. -4
                                Observation
                                Point
                                                                           MIN
                       SALTO
                      GATE
                                                                Q@11
           J0                                    IV
                                                             Ir
             'BRESCO                             0




                                                 &
                                   4Vp
                                                 @)


                                                                                         AN-

                                                                                14




           J,
                                                             ' fflli








                                                                           7-7
      UPPER MIDDLE BRANCH
                                                                                 0       8001-
      Recommendations                                                            scale




                                                FIGURE 8D               Recommendations
                                                                            0



                                                                     f
                                                                                                                          AV











                                                                                   r
                                           RK
                                 SWANN PA


                                                                                                                     Ir7


                             ESTERN R.R.  BRIDGE


                                                                                             CC
                                                          LAND          SWAP                 LU
                 @                                                                           0--
                                                                                             z



                                                                                             JI.
                                                                                                           SUNPAPERS

                                                            CEN






                                                                                                          T
                                                                                                LMUMvvr-LL 5
      install wetland planting
         on accumulating sediments


                                                         Restaurant
                       KEY
         0 0 0 0 HIKER/BIKER TRAIL - EXISTING                                                    00
                                                                                                     0
                 HIKER/BIKER TRAIL - PROPOSED                                                YACHT                     E      Id
                                                                                                                LOCK
                                                                                             BASIN
         0 0 0,0 HIKER/BIKER TRAIL - FUTURE                                                                     INSULATORS
         111111111111111111WETLAND PLANTING
                 BUFFER PLANTING                            Walk Under BrldjqWWe             IJ
             :-4--4=F;INNER HARBOR
                       Oka,






                                                                                                              0

                                                                                                                0
                                          SWANN PARK/ CENTRALGARAGE AREA
                                                                                                     0              400'
                                          Recommendations
                KEY MAP                                                                               scale





                                      FIGURE 8E               Recommendations




                           it -T                                                                        KEY
             Purchase developed floodplain property                                      0 0 0 0 HIKER/BIKER TRAIL - EXISTING

                                                                                                  HIKER/BIKER TRAIL - PROPOSED


                                                                                         0 0 0-0 HIKER/BIKER TRAIL - FUTURE

                                                                                         111111111111111111WETLAND PLANTING

                                                                                                 BUFFER PLANTING






                                                                 C)
            Landscape     c rner
                                                                   J@


             Naturalize   and
                                                      Enforce    zoni ng
               enclose    with  bollards
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                                                          ER GWYNNS FALLS
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                                                                                                             CARROLL PARK
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                                                                                                                      V
                                                                                                                        0
                                                            MIDDLE GWYNNS FALLS                                                         1000,
                        KEY MAP
                                                            Recommendations                                              scale






                                                                                       52


                      Water quality in the Middle Branch can be maintained and improved

                 through the enforcement of existing programs and through the implemen-

                 tation of additional measures:




                 Existing programs

                 ï¿½    Enforce the Critical Area requirement for new development to
                      reduce runoff pollutants by 10%.

                 ï¿½    Maintain a natural buffer along the waterfront where feasible by
                      enforcing the Critical Area Habitat Protection Plan and providing
                      incentives to reclaim developed properties.

                 ï¿½    Continue to require new development throughout the Gwynns Falls
                      watershed to improve water quality through storm water management.

                 ï¿½    Continue to retrofit existing NPDES permits and ensure regulated
                      11good housekeeping" measures on industrial sites.

                 ï¿½    Continue to educate the public about the impacts that trash in the
                      watershed has on the harbor.


                 Recommended programs

                 0    Investigate the design and installation of mechanism to remove
                      trash from storm sewer outfalls and to regularly remove trash from
                      the harbor.


                 0    Prepare a long-range strategy to eliminate the contributions of
                      sewage from the Gwynns Falls Watershed, including funding sources.

                 0    Investigate the feasibility of M-3 areas along the waterfront and
                      Gwynns Falls to a zone with less negative impacts on water quality.

                 0    Develop performance controls on water-side development city-wide
                      which protect water quality.

                 0    Gather water quality data: Dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform, and
                      toxics.


                 0    If dissolved oxygen is demonstrated to still be deficient in the
                      Middle Branch, consider restoration measures such as aeration
                      devices.


                 0    Examine the merits and feasibility of methods for restoring the
                      sediments quality such as "bottom sealing."

                 0    Increase the amount of wetland and terrestrial vegetation in the
                      area.






                                                                                        53



                  0    Install a minimum 100-foot vegetated buffer where feasible along
                       the water.


                  0    Increase the amount of vegetated open space and provide vegetated
                       linkage between such areas.

                  0    Allow vegetated areas to naturalize where feasible.

                  0    Maintain some vegetated areas as old field or shrub-scrub areas.

                  0    Create non-tidal wetlands.


                  0    Provide vegetation which has food and cover value to wildlife.

                  MIDDLE BRANCH PARK





                  Recreation


                  0    Create a new waterfront group picnic area on Waterview West.

                       Featuring:

                                 enhanced trail system with bike, nature and/or fitness

                                 trails.


                                 picnic pavilions.

                                 Access to recreational boating at Middle Branch Moorings.

                                 small eating facilities.

                                 rowing regatta viewing area.

                                 festival parking.



                  0    Acquire the lot at Potee Street and Waterview Avenue to add to

                       Middle Branch Park.




                  0    Landscape the area along Waterview Avenue in front of Middle

                       Branch Moorings.



                  0    Enhance landscaping in all of Middle Branch Park.




                                                                                       54


                  0    Develop the land between Zamoiski's Industrial Park and Waterview

                       Avenue for parking and active recreational use.




                  Public Access




                  0    Create a system of waterfront trails on Waterview West.



                  0    Extend the trail to the concrete batching site in Westport.

                       Include a waterfront portion of the trail.



                  0    Extend the through the old landfill and through the buffer across

                       Patapsco Avenue to connect with southwest area park in Baltimore

                       County.




                  Environment


                  0    Increase the landscaped and naturalized areas in both the Middle


                       Branch and Reedbird Parks.




                  0    Enhance the habitat of the old Cherry Hill landfill portion of

                       Reedbird Park. The site is an old field habitat which could be


                       improved by grasses and other plants of wildlife value as well as

                       clusters of trees and shrubs.




                  0    Protect 10 acre wooded lot located on the south side of Waterview


                       Avenue across from the rowing club. The mature oak stand on the

                       lot is an uncommon habitat in the Critical Area and should be


                       preserved as a buffer between developed land and the waterfront.



                 0    Create a naturalized wood lot on part of the Waterview West

                      portion of Middle Branch Park.



                 0    Increase the vegetated edge at the water at Waterview West to

                      increase the value of the adjoining wetland.




                 WESTPORT





                 Recreation


                 0    Investigate a land swap, trading the ballfields for the concrete

                      batching plant site.



                 0    Build multi-use field on concrete batching site. Make site part


                      of Middle Branch Park.





                 Public Access




                 0    open a public route starting at the proposed bike/pedestrian trail

                      on the Waterview West site continuing through the concrete

                      batching plant site, then along the railroad right-of-way next to

                      Kloman Street.




                 0    Create a trail along the north side of therailroad right-of-way

                      between Kloman Street and Annapolis Road.



                 0    Use the Westport LRT station to create a community focus point.




                                                                                       56


                  0    Study the possibility of opening the closed Western Maryland RR

                       bridge to public access.




                  Environment




                  0    Relocate the concrete batching plant. This is necessary to end

                       the continuing degradation of the water's edge and wetlands, to

                       eliminate the threat to water quality from concrete dust, and to

                       remove a use which is a nuisance to the neighborhood, the park,

                       and the adjoining industries.



                  0    Establish a naturalized buffer between the concrete batching plant

                       site and the adjacent wetland.



                  0    Continue to work with Carr-Lowrey on the company's plans to

                       improve the plant's waterfront. Naturalized grasses, trees, and

                       shrubs will be planted on a low berm in Spring of 1990.



                  0    Investigate the construction of a ledge beneath the water to allow

                       wetland vegetation to be introduced along the Carr Lowrey and

                       Westport Power Plant shoreline. The grade beneath the water's

                       edge along these properties falls rapidly to depths too deep for

                       wetland grasses.



                  0    Continue to support planned improvements to the natural

                       shoreline. Such as planting wetlands and buffers as mitigation.




                                                                                       57


                 0    Establish water quality and other environmental criteria to guide

                      the private sector's planning for the potential redevelopment of

                      the Westport Power Plant.




                 UPPER MIDDLE BRANCH





                 Recreation

                 0    Create a point of waterfront recreation area for stadium users and

                      South Baltimore residents. The area should include:

                                a waterfront passive park and picnic area,

                                a signature structure or sculpture to symbolically mark

                                the entrance to the stadium area., and

                                observation points, educational signs, and a nature walk.




                 Public Access


                 0    Establish a connection between the stadium/Inner Harbor and the

                      Greenway via Warner Street.



                 0    Encourage waterfront observation points as part of development on

                      Warner Street.




                 0    Investigate the construction of a path from Warner Street across

                      the Merritt property to a pedestrian bridge across the Bush Street

                      outfall.




                 0    Construct a pedestrian path along the south side of the railroad

                      right-of-way connecting Stockholm Street, Leadenhall Street and

                      Fort Avenue.







                                                                                       58


                 0     Establish a waterfront pedestrian path along BG&E's land from the

                       end of Stockholm Street to Swann Park.




                 Environment


                 0     Investigate rezoning the M-3, heavy industrial, zoned properties

                       within the Critical Area's 100 foot buffer to a less intense

                       industrial zoning category more compatible with water quality and

                       other objectives of the City's Habitat Protection Plan.



                 0     Require the reclamation of the shoreline and establishment of a

                       buffer as part of the redevelopment of the Merritt property.



                 0     Work with BG&E to reclaim the Spring Garden shoreline and to

                       establish a vegetated buffer along the property's waterfront.



                 SWANN PARK/CENTRAL GARAGE




                 Recreation


                 0     Investigate a land swap with CSX, trading Swann Park for the

                       industrial lot between Swann Park and Central Garage, building new

                       ball fields on the industrial lot.




                 0     Investigate development of a commercial recreation use such as a

                       bowling alley or ice rink.



                 0     Restore natural shoreline buffer for passive recreation.




                                                                                        59


                  0    Facilities development of a restaurant/crab house on waterfront

                       near Central Garage.




                  Public Access


                  0    Create a waterfront trail between Swann Park and Port Covington.

                            construct a waterfront path along the private and city-owned

                            land from Swann Park to the Hanover Street bridge.



                            construct a path under the Hanover Street bridge.



                            develop a path across the Yacht Basin property which connects

                            the tail to Cromwell Street. Eventually, a connection across

                            the Yacht Basin to the Locke Insulator property may be


                            necessary.




                            investigate the construction of a waterfront trail around the

                            Locke Insulator property as part of the company's proposal

                            expand by filling.



                  0    Plan for auto access to the development parcels in the area.



                  0    Create a pathway connection from Race Street through to McComas

                       Street. Investigate the establishment of a roadway to accommodate

                       vehicles as well.




                  0    Investigate the possiblity of opening the closed Western RR bridge

                       to public access.





                                                                                        60



                 Environment


                 0    Establish a vegetated buffer throughout the area. The design of

                      the buffer should balance wood lots with landscaped areas allowing

                      visual access to the water.




                 0    Monitor the two areas which are naturally accumulating sediments -

                      Swann Park and the CSX property adjacent to the railroad bridge.

                      The areas should be planted with vegetation when the elevation

                      reaches the proper level for wetland grasses or raised and planted

                      as part of mitigation for fill projects.




                 LOWER GWYNNS FALLS





                 Recreation


                 0    Enhance the existing trail with educational signs and a directory.



                 0    Create a passive recreation area on floodplain properties..



                 0    Prevent dumping in public access and recreation areas.




                 Public Access


                 0    Create a trail along the south side of the Gwynns Falls north to

                      Monroe Street, across Monroe Street, and along the north side of

                      the Gwynns Falls to Carroll Park.



                 0    Open a public path along the RR right-of-way between Carroll Park

                      and Leakin Parks.







                                                                                       61



                 0    Provide pathways to the stream.




                 Environment




                      Public Open Space

                      0    Retain all public open space as undeveloped land.



                      0    Remove unnecessary roads in the floodplain acquisition area

                           including portions of Maisel, Carroll and Bremen Streets.



                      0    Plant vegetation of value to wildlife using offset funds.




                      0    Naturalize the areas at the southwest end of the area and


                           provide bollards to discourage dumping. Provide a landscaped

                           and mowed transition at the road edge.



                      0    Place a fence or bollards along the north side of the stream

                           to discourage dumping.




                 Private Land in the Floodplai

                 0    Investigate the possibility of rezoning properties from M-3, heavy

                      industrial, to an industrial category more*compatible with the

                      water quality and other environmental objectives.



                 0    Purchase developed parcels in the floodplain where possible,

                      offering a life-tenancy to owners wishing to retain use of the

                      property.




                                                                                        62


                 0     Purchase undeveloped parcels in the floodplain where possible.



                 0     Investigate the compliance of existing land uses with the zoning

                       code. Where necessary, enforce the zoning code using the

                       enforcement as a way to require "good housekeeping" practices.




                 MIDDLE GWYNNS FALLS




                 Zoning and Land Use

                 ï¿½     Establish a 50-foot buffer for new construction and design

                       guidelines for development.



                 ï¿½     Work with the Maryland Department of the Environment to explore

                       enforcement of State regulations on industrial or oil-contaminated


                       run-off.





                 Public Access and Recreation


                 0     Provide a conservation and public access easement on parcels along

                       the stream.




                 0     Improve neighborhood access points to the greenway.



                 0     Investigate access and trail potential at Gwynns Falls Park.



                 0     Study the establishment of bikeway from Carroll Park to Edmondson

                       Avenue. The expense, feasibility and utilization of the bikeway

                       must be evaluated. As part of the Greenway Study, a route for the





                                                                                        63


                       bikeway was established in concept. This route raised the

                       following issues for study:

                        1.  Repaving the existing pathway in Carroll Park

                        2.  Providing a railroad crossing at Bentalou Street

                        3.  Extending the bikeway through neighborhood using existing

                            street system and signage: Ashton, St. Benedict, East Lynne.

                        4.  Continuing the bikeway along Ellicott Drive

                        5.  Repaving Ellicott Drive north of Baltimore Street. This

                            section of the Bikeway will link to Franklintown Road in


                            Leakin Park.


                        6.  Providing signs at Frederick Avenue to direct bicyclists

                            across the stream to Southwestern High School Track facility.

                        7.  Assessing the potential users for the bikeway system by

                            interviewing the biking community.

                        8.  Providing parking for 10 vehicles at the intersection of

                            Frederick Avenue and Ellicott Drive.


                        9.  Close Ellicott Drive to traffic on the weekends to create a


                            safe hiking/biking environment.

                       10.  Providing a "warm-up" station at the intersection of Ellicott

                            Drive and Frederick Avenue.





                 Environment


                  0    Investigate Genstar site for forest link to adjacent publicly-

                       owned wood lots.




                  0    Plant trees in Cemeteries and adjust mowing practices to allow for

                       wildlife.




1                                                                                      64

                 0    Check NPDES permits for all industries along the greenway which
I                     may need to have them.
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