On Monday April 14, Telesis Corporation and Marks Thomas Architects presented the Phase 1A designs, which we submitted to the Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development with our tax credit application (see previous post).

In an interactive setting, BMOG participants were first encouraged to walk around the room to take a look at the designs and gather their thoughts. Comment cards were made available at various stations, as well as tracing paper. Michael Crowley from Marks Thomas then proceeded to give a detailed overview of each property in Phase 1A, and Telesis fielded questions, taking note of all comments.

All feedback collected both on comment cards and in a group setting are included below, and will continue to illuminate the integrated design process. Keep the feedback coming! If you wish a direct reply to a question or comment, please include your email address or email us directly at sronc@telesisny.com.

Thank you!

Feedback:

• Charm is important. Haphazard unit breakdown would be a negative.
• Currently buildings are close to the sidewalk. Big windows on first floor level may cause privacy issues. Balancing private and public is key.
• New construction is positive (trendy, “fresh”, “modern”); want different types of structures to cater to different tastes.
• Loft interiors = a plus
• Integrity of Calvert Street is crucial; Calvert Street is a beautiful ride through the city and should remain so.
• Use historic scale and elements.
• Problems with modern precedents in BMOG: avoid random material and color combinations and neglect of row house rhythm.
• Like look and feel of Clinton Street development.
• “New construction shouldn’t stand out, but it shouldn’t be a copy either.”
• Materials on new construction facades important.
• “Put Ratios on blog.” Here you go:
  Affordable Rental: 91units;
  Market Rental 65 units;
  Public Housing: 43 units;
  Affordable Ownership: 22 units;
  Market Ownership: 85 units.
• Alert residents when buildings go into construction, especially important for senior residents.
• New Construction on Barclay: “too much glass on 1st floor for certain units; like the loft look with beams; like the exposed brick”; “why demolish building 2220?”; “don’t like picture window”"but light can be a positive”
• Homewood House: “existing ramp is too steep”; “will the UFAS units be spread throughout the building or just on one floor?”; “I would like to get more involved with the green planning for Homewood House, especially the big lot near Cokesbury Street.”