We have all seen the shift of activity in Baltimore from the Harborplace area of Downtown Baltimore to Harbor East. As one area dies another replaces it. This change seems to be occurring in Columbia with the closing of Clydes and other restaurants at the Lakefront. This is occurring at the same time that restaurants and other activity spaces are opening up in the Merriweather District. As we come out of the pandemic it will be interesting to see how each of these areas grows or declines.
If new restaurants at the Lakefront don't return to this area what would replace the space? Just as the controversy presently occurring in Hickory Ridge with housing being introduced at the Village Center, I wonder if more condos and apartments might replace some of the commercial space that has existed at the Lakefront in the past. Having a view of Lake Kittamaqundi from a condo seems to be more attractive than a view of the Mall parking lots that exist with many of the housing units currently existing near the Mall. The new form of commercial space seems to include a housing component above the first floor.
We are still years away from a transformation of the Mall into its next iteration but that area will also see an inevitable decline as the 1970s enclosed mall concept runs its course. My prediction is that the Mall area will eventually change from its present enclosed mall to a more parklike setting with small-scale commercial establishments spread throughout. Think of something like Tavern on the Green in Central Park.
#hocoblogs
No comments:
Post a Comment