The Density Deal Part Two

As I previously wrote in this post, the proposed increase in residential density in Columbia Town Center would be significantly less than the residential density being encouraged in the Route 1 corridor. In this story by Larry Carson in The Sun today, Alan Klein, the spokesperson for CoFoCoDo, argues that the higher density for the Route 1 corridor makes perfect sense.

"It makes sense. Those areas are closer to transit," Klein said.”

Really?

Route 1 is a four lane road with signaled controlled intersections. Columbia Town Center is bordered by a four lane divided highway with grade separated interchanges to the north and south. While it is true that there are two MARC rail stations in the Route 1 corridor there isn’t much in the way of offices and retail stores compared to Columbia Town Center. People don’t use MARC trains to go to the store or the doctors office. The number of commuters using the trains isn’t statistically significant either. Howard County has actually seen a decrease in the net outflow of commuters in recent years as more jobs have been created locally. This substantially reduces the significance of the MARC stations in any density debate and once again points to the lack of substance in CoFoCoDo’s case against General Growth Properties proposed redevelopment for Columbia’s Town Center.

If they were truly honest with themselves, the so called Coalition for Columbia’s Downtown should change their name to Coalition against Columbia’s Downtown.