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NEWS RELEASE

November 4, 2009

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Howard County to Host Public Open House for US 40 Streetscape Enhancement Options

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – The Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) will host a public open house concerning the planning of future streetscape improvements to the US 40 Corridor. The meeting, which will highlight progress on the Route 40 Streetscape Master Plan, will be held Tuesday, November 17 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 9120 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042. The public is invited to attend any time between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Route 40 is currently the focus of a county effort intended to upgrade and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the corridor. The Route 40 Streetscape Master Plan (Master Plan) will identify opportunities for creating a more visually appealing and consistent corridor and will include recommendations for improving interconnectivity and pedestrian access to sites along the roadway. Recommended improvements in the Master Plan will be restricted to areas within the US 40 public right-of-way, but may include sidewalks, landscape buffers, street trees, and median plantings such as wildflowers.

The open house will feature a brief presentation on the project’s evolution, its purpose and primary components. Selected alternatives and initial conceptual drawings developed by the consultant will be on display and available for review during the open house. The presentation will occur at both 5:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Following the open house, the preliminary drawings and presentation will be made available for viewing via the Department’s website. Additionally, anyone unable to attend the meeting may request an electronic version of the display materials.

The meeting is open to the public, and attendees will be able to browse the displays at their leisure. Project staff will be available to answer questions regarding elements of the Streetscape Master Plan.

For additional information about the open house or the County’s Route 40 efforts, visit us on the web at www.howardcountymd.gov or call Brad Killian, 410-313-4364.