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Redevelopment is the Answer?
September 2nd, 2010
The development economy has been suffering for several years now and financial pundits are not yet predicting the real upturn. There have been a few upticks to tease us along the way, but the real resurgence of lending, building and buying has not started yet. Most of the current work in the marketplace is institutional or governmental, with a few user-specific private developments in the mix. With lending being held in the vised grip of post TARP institutions, prospectors and developers have to be more creative to find the most promising investment tools that provide good return on investment, and then they need to find the users that can finance the use of the building or development. A difficult task when there are so many empty spaces on the market. So where do we find the hottest opportunities? Maybe redevelopment is the answer.
Redevelopment Opportunities
Redevelopment requires certain ingredients from the start, such as an existing or former use and improvements, existing infrastructure, such as road and utilities, existing impervious surfaces and “engineered” drainage, and public perception of a previously disturbed natural space. These ingredients often occur in urbanized or industrial locations, where the economic climate changed at some time and left the space for greener pastures, or to new spaces that offer more efficient production. Perhaps the space is still used, but not efficiently, operating as a burden on the community by wasting energy and causing unnecessary impacts to the natural environment or the surrounding community. Perhaps the right redevelopment opportunity is an existing residential community that is suffering from deferred maintenance, and would be less expensive to replace than repair.
Additional Redevelopment Elements
In any case, the ingredients of redevelopment opportunities are typical elements of a new development plan that the developer would assume to have to pay for, design and construct. So right off the top, the project pro forma excludes some access and utility costs, offsite road construction, etc. For stormwater management in Maryland there are lighter rules for redevelopment too. Another important element of redevelopment opportunities is market and demographics. Typically urbanized areas have more market opportunity for retail because the dollars live there and will shop there, if given the available opportunity.
Another underrepresented ingredient could be the availability of transit or some form of public transportation that may already exist in the communities of and surrounding redevelopment sites. In a tight economy when people are saving money any way they can, the use of transit is strong and thus the opportunity for transit-oriented development (TOD) is a win-win for new development. TOD is a lightning rod concept in many urbanized areas to help spark investment in otherwise stagnant or failing economies. This is where there appears to have a good return on investment for lenders and end users.
The attached article from the Urban Land Institute is an interview of five real estate experts from around the country discussing the hottest redevelopment opportunities, as they see them. http://urbanland.uli.org/Articles/2010/SeptOct/Nyren1
ESteere 
Frederick Ward, Infrastructure
Frederick Ward Associates, Planning, Redevelopment, Urban Land Institute
Multi-User Community Campus Case Study – Bel Air Campus
August 27th, 2010
While it is nearly September and the start of school has already begun, you may notice the changes that have been completed at Bel Air High School. Work was started in 2007 on the athletic fields as part of the replacement of the aging facility.
While the school provides a space for education, it also functions as much more in the Bel Air community. It is a source of recreation, offering walking trails, playgrounds, gathering spaces and land for passive recreation. The whole campus serves as a meeting place, pedestrian corridor, and a green island in the semi-urban area.
The Plan
When started, goals were set to replace the high school and elementary school. Key challenges arose in the planning process of the multi-use campus.
- Parking Issues
- Circulation of Pedestrians and Vehicles
- Operation of Facilities while Construction was underway.
Overcoming Issues
The vision became clear: alternating green space and built elements allowed for several problems to be addressed. Parking could be shared, green areas were created to serve as transition space, and smaller parking areas were created to provide for space for important features , like the athletic fields or other park elements.
Construction
Construction commenced on the new high school while keeping the existing one open, while construction for the new elementary school is not yet scheduled.
Overall Outcome
The planning presented several challenges, but the combination of proper communication and cooperation allowed for these problems to become opportunities. Unique solutions were discovered to create a distinct character for the overall campus.
Virtual Globes Assist in Land Surveying
August 12th, 2010
Google Earth has popularized the concept of virtual globes, and the technology behind them is developing at an astounding pace.
Virtual Globes
These virtual globes, generated by 3D software, are helpful for viewing the existing conditions of properties and allow users to move freely around the properties, changing viewing angle, position, scale and data layers. Within the survey group, we rely on these 3D images as we develop survey budgets because it is a quick way to review the property. Using Google Earth we can determine how difficult or long it may take to traverse around the perimeter with our lines of sight due to the amount of foliage. Also, we can use it to determine the magnitude of improvements that will need to be located, i.e. fields, building, fences, parking lots, roads, etc.
Surveying Using 3D Images
When it comes time to actually execute the survey operations, these 3D images aid in communicating with the staff the scope of the project through visual representation. Additionally, these 3D images help us to identify possession lines and give clues on where to look for markers when performing boundary surveys and needing to recover boundary markers. While some will say that 3D images are not accurate enough yet, they can be a definite aid and tool to the surveyor who is inclined to use them, and the quality of high-resolution imagery is both substantial and growing on a rapid basis.
jmettee 
Surveying
Google Earth, land surveying, virtual globes
9th Annual Maryland BBQ Bash
July 28th, 2010
The 9th annual Maryland BBQ Bash will be held August 13 and 14 on Bond Street in Downtown Bel Air. The BBQ Bash is sponsored by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, a volunteer economic development group.
This outdoor street festival features live music, crafts, kid’s entertainment, great BBQ and other food, and the Maryland State Barbecue Championship. The contest brings together over 60 competition barbeque teams from near and far competing for $12,000 in prize money and is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society.
Headliners on the main stage are Nashville recording artists Blaine Larsen and Randy Montana on Friday night, and rockabilly Telecaster Master Bill Kirchen on Saturday night. Hours are 4 PM to 10 PM on Friday August 13 and Noon to 10 PM on Saturday August 14. The event is free. For more information go to the 2010 Maryland BBQ website.
CWard Community
Bel Air Downtown Alliance, Kansas City Barbecue Society, Maryland BBQ Bash
Dishing Up Maryland
July 26th, 2010
Local, sustainable, food has become an important pillar of the green culture and the explosion and growth of farmer’s markets all around Maryland and the entire country is evidence to its popularity. A new, must-have, addition to your sustainable library is Dishing Up Maryland by Lucie L. Snodgrass, a Harford County writer and farmer (and wife of green roof guru Ed Snodgrass).
Dishing Up Maryland is a beautifully designed and photographed book which is a cook book of local favorites, but also tells the stories of farmers, farms, waterman, and restaurants across Maryland that have embraced the sustainable, organic, and local philosophy of food. Recipes are also organized by season which enhances the emphasis on eating what is fresh and available throughout the year.
Many northeast Maryland businesses are featured including Broom’s Bloom dairy (try their lamb stew recipe), the Fair Hill Inn (quail with oyster stuffing), Spring Valley Farm (blueberry fruit kuchen), and One Straw Farm (fattoush salad), the oldest and largest organic produce farm in Maryland.
This book is a winner – check it out.
CWard Community, Sustainability
Dishing Up Maryland, green culture, local food, Lucie L. Snodgrass, Sustainability
Imagine 2060
July 20th, 2010
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council is currently organizing a long range planning effort, entitled “Imagine 2060,” which is a look at transportation in the Baltimore region for the next 20 to 50 years. Imagine 2060 grew out of an effort to work with community leaders to develop a plan to improve and promote livable and sustainable communities throughout the region.
The focus of this 7-step vision is to develop an integrated multi-modual regional network of transportation options that supports greater mobility and accessibility, livable communities, environmental stewardship and economic prosperity.
A key element of the initiative is facilitating dialogue about how transportation will look to future generations in the Baltimore region through a large scale public engagement campaign. The Council is inviting the public who live and work in the Baltimore region to give input through a series of workshops or an online values survey. Frederick Ward Associates participated in the latest town hall style meeting, giving our input to help shape transportation in Baltimore’s future.
“Imagine 2060 is a creative visioning process to help prioritize our transportation investments for the future. How and where should public transportation dollars be directed? Looking 50 years in the future brings an interesting new perspective to the questions,” said Craig Ward, President of Fredrick Ward Associates.
The project’s final vision and long-range transportation plan will be in place by November 2011.
Get involved with the project, and find out more about Imagine 2060!
CWard Community, Sustainability
Baltimore Metropolitan Council, Imagine 2060, public transportation
Frederick Ward Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity
July 16th, 2010
This June, Frederick Ward Associates participated in a second Habitat for Humanity LEED home. FWA partnered with Harford Tech High School by providing Architectural, Civil Engineering and Surveying support for this “green” housing project.
Volunteering with Harford Habitat for Humanity is an excellent opportunity to combine the team’s passion for volunteering and helping the local community, with our expertise in architecture, engineering, planning and surveying.
This home was built for the Shanka family, and is located in Joppa, Maryland. FWA has also worked with Habitat as their LEED for Homes consultant, and this project is on track to achieve LEED Platinum status.
See Frederick Ward Associates’ involvement with Habitat. Visit Harford Habitat for Humanity to volunteer for upcoming projects, donate, or learn more about the organization.
CCooper Community, Frederick Ward, Sustainability
Community, Frederick Ward Associates, Habitat for Humanity Harford County, Sustainable Living
The Role of Maryland Board for Professional Land Surveyors
July 9th, 2010
We recently let you know that our very own John Mettee was appointed Chairman of the Maryland Board of Professional Land Surveyors. This organization is important to the general public in Maryland, considering the Board qualifies and licenses anyone seeking to practice as a professional land surveyor. This Board regulates the land survey profession and its reason for being is to protect the health, safety and welfare of Maryland consumers. In carrying out this duty, the Board reviews applicants, administers exams to those who qualify, enforces minimum standards of practice, and confirms “continuing professional competency” (CPC) at license renewals.
The Professional Land Surveyor Licensing Exam
In order to assist applicants with their application process, the Board directed and supported another organization (The Maryland Society of Surveyors) with development of the “Mentoring Program.” The Mentoring Program pairs applicants with licensed surveyors. These surveyors act as mentors, enabling applicants to understand and fulfill exam requirements. This program helps applicants establish a file with the Board to compile credentials. In other words, applicants don’t have to wait until the application for licensure filing to try and get references from each past employer.
The Maryland Society of Surveyors: Seminars and Networking Opportunities
Vince Burke and Bob Banzhoff of the Maryland Society of Surveyors are offering seminars to applications. These meetings offer a great chance for applicants to meet mentors, as well as learning about the application process and programs.
Visit the Maryland Society of Surveyors for more information on the Mentoring and Portfolio Building Programs.
jmettee Surveying
land surveying, liscensing, Maryland Board of Professional Land Surveyors, Maryland Society of Surveyors, Mentoring and Portfolio Building
Maryland Green Registry
June 16th, 2010
Building a smarter, greener, more sustainable Maryland is as easy as putting proactive environmental practices to work right in your own organization. The Maryland Green Registry is a voluntary, self-certification program offering tips and resources to help organizations set and meet their own goals on the path to sustainability. Being a member has its benefits.
Membership Benefits:
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- Maryland Green Registry window decal to display at your facility
- Use of the Maryland Green Registry logo
- The posting of your environmental profile, as approved by you, on the Maryland Green Registry website
- Free technical and informational assistance to help members implement environmental best practices
- Information about upcoming webinars and conferences
- Eligibility for annual Maryland Green Registry Leadership Awards.
The Green Registry and Frederick Ward Associates
Frederick Ward Associates was just formally accepted to the Registry. We are one of the first architecture and engineering firms in Maryland to join and are proud to be a part.
Visit the Frederick Ward Associates profile at The Green Registry.
CCooper Community, Frederick Ward, Sustainability
Community, Frederick Ward, Maryland, Maryland Green Registry, Sustainability
Bel Air Park Honors Frederick Ward
June 11th, 2010
Bel Air’s Armory Park, which formally opened this month, honors the late Frederick Y. Ward. The park will bear Frederick Ward’s name in tribute to the work he invested in the community. Over the years, Mr. Ward acquired and renovated a number of buildings on Main Street, helping keep Hardford County a vibrant place. A plaque is in place in the Park to commemorate his efforts.
Craig Ward, Fred’s son and now president of Frederick Ward Associates said, “I’m absolutely thrilled about it. They have known my father for a long time and knew of his influence in revitalizing Main Street.”
Frederick Ward Associates itself contributed a great deal to the Park. We donated the design services, along with construction help, to make the Park a special place. We are proud to carry Fred Ward’s legacy of investing in our community.
Read more about the Frederick Ward Park.
See pictures from the Frederick Ward Park dedication.
CWard Community, Frederick Ward
Bel Air Armory Park, Community, Frederick Ward, Frederick Ward Associates
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