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FineWinePaperCup t1_iyreref wrote

Reply to comment by emleh in They finally fixed Oakland Mills RD and added bike lanes. by DefibrillatorKink

If you build it, they will come.

That’s the cliché was to say that what you are saying is how it is now. But the point it to encourage change. Maybe more will bike if there are bike lanes?

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emleh t1_iyrezgd wrote

Not likely. Columbia is very car-centric. People don’t move to Columbia for bike lanes.

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FineWinePaperCup t1_iyrg5ud wrote

I moved to Columbia (from Pasadena) because it was a more bikeable community. But also, maybe people who love here will be encouraged to bike on close errands. I’m only one anecdote, but living in Wilde lake, I only bike to CVS and Whole Food. I’m heading to whatever you call the area by busboys and poets in a few minutes, and I want to bike, but rain.

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emleh t1_iyrgn5g wrote

I think most people who come to Columbia do so because of the schools and safety. I’ve lived in Columbia almost my whole life and the development has really ruined the vibe and culture of the community. Even with the bike lanes, so many people still bike in the streets outside of the lanes. I just wish Columbia would invest in meaningful things.

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vpi6 t1_iyrijnk wrote

> I’ve lived in Columbia almost my whole life and the development has really ruined the vibe and culture of the community.

Lol. You just don’t like change. Culture’s just fine. Kids are running around the neighborhood just like before, fields are full of soccer games every week end, etc.

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emleh t1_iyriz1e wrote

Untrue. I’m open to change but Columbia was not supposed to be a developers dream. When I was a kid, the streets were filled with children. Not so much anymore.

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vpi6 t1_iyrkwll wrote

What if I told you Columbia is literally supposed to be a developers dream. From start to finish. Who do you think Rouse was? Lmao.

What would you say to old farmers who said all the development in the 70 and 80s ‘ruined the vibe and culture of the community’

Also, the older neighborhoods are increasingly filled with old retirees whose children moved (because they can’t afford houses in Columbia because we stopped building housing). That’s why there aren’t as much kids. Newer places have more kids.

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emleh t1_iyrmngc wrote

What if I told you I worked at The Rouse Company during the sale to GGP? It was a huge controversy because Rouse fought for diversity and affordable housing. His family chose to sell to a developer for a pretty hefty price, and Rouse’s vision was abandoned. Additionally, the farms were sold by the landowners. That was their choice. This wasn’t some eminent domain kind of situation.

You mentioned the same level of kids, which I refuted, and now you are backing off on that point. I understand the demographics of Columbia because I’ve worked in population health and social services for a long time.

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DefibrillatorKink OP t1_iyrqyid wrote

There are tons of kids in HoCo, they just spend their time indoors now. My little cousins usually don't go outside unless it's after school. Screentime is Funtime lol

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emleh t1_iyrrdi1 wrote

That’s probably true! My kids play indoors all the time. Kids make up about 25% of the population so I guess that’s significant.

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vpi6 t1_iyrqmvv wrote

Do you really think this place would more affordable if nothing more was built? Really?

> Additionally, the farms were sold by the landowners. That was their choice. This wasn’t some eminent domain kind of situation.

I used farmers as a proxy for anyone who lived here in the 60s. Don’t run away from the point. Why is your idealized Columbia ‘ruining’ the vibe and culture of their community ok while you complain about development “ruining” your community.

> You mentioned the same level of kids, which I refuted, and now you are backing off on that point.

Where? Where did you refute the number of kids in a neighborhood? You said there said there aren’t as much kids in your area. I said the distribution was to newer developments. And you said nah uh I refuted it. So where is the refutation?

Never mind the link between development and your perceived decline in “community character” is pretty nebulous.

Housing is continually blocked in Hoco by people like you who paint Rouse as a Jesus figure. Especially the apartments that would have housed lower income people. I’m over the cult of Rouse.

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emleh t1_iyrqtsy wrote

That’s fine. I’m not here to convince you or change your mind, just provide some insight.

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emleh t1_iyrrujz wrote

Also, newer developments aren’t Columbia. They are either out parcels or other parts of Howard County (think Clarksville & Elkridge). Columbia is just overpopulated at this point. Development has made that so. There isn’t enough infrastructure to support the population.

Appreciate your feedback, though.

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emleh t1_iyrn0xs wrote

At the end of the day, the bike lane project has been in the works for over a decade and is championed by the guy who runs Merriweather & bikes for fun. This wasn’t about transforming accessibility in Columbia.

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DefibrillatorKink OP t1_iyrqd57 wrote

I agree, but I think they add some safety for sure. Also I remember this road being utter cancer to cross when I was younger.

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emleh t1_iyrqm83 wrote

Yeah, it’s still not great. Because of the limited visibility due to the hills, it’s not an easy crossing.

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DefibrillatorKink OP t1_iyrr8c1 wrote

I will say I was much more cautious driving on the road. Hope that says something, and I hope kids and adults can finally have some peace of mind on that heaping pile of hill called a road.

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