What is a Master Plan?

A master plan takes a comprehensive look at a planning area (in this case Midtown-Edmondson and the MARC Station Area) and includes recommendations for such things as land use, transportation, green space and economic development. It’s the chance for the community members (residents, business holders, faith leaders, institutions and large land holders - to coalesce their ideas for the area around a common vision.

Many communities initiate their own planning processes that result in a neighborhood master plan. Planning Department staff often plays an advisory role in the development of these independent neighborhood plans.

Main areas of attention must include:

1) Commercial Revitalization

2) Stimulating the Housing Market

3) Key Transportation Upgrades

4) Equitable Redevelopment Strategies, with Zero Displacement

5) Tools Identified to Foster a Truly Mixed-Income and Welcoming Neighborhood

6) (in Midtown-Edmondson’s case) How Best to Maximize the Vision and Utility of the West Baltimore MARC Station, including Fast Transportation Connections and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)

See Baltimore City Dept of Planning community-directed neighborhood planning guidelines here.

See other neighborhood master here, on the Baltimore City’s Department of Planning website.