Old Takoma Business Association
General Meeting
* Minutes *
September 13, 2005
Present: Joy Austin-Lane, Sabrina Baron, Eric
Bond, Mark Choe, Valentine Davies, Jude Garrett, Roland Halstead,
John Hume, John Mangan, Jeff McCandless, Ethan Landis, Greg Moorin,
Pennye Jones-Napier, Dan Robinson, Mary Stover, John Traina, Kimberly
Quick
Guests: Colbert and Bruce Levin, Keystar Real
Estate
Pennye Jones-Napier called the meeting to order at approximately
7:20. She welcomed all and noted the following officer
changes on the OTBA board of directors. Pennye is temporarily
serving as President and Treasurer and Bobbi Kittner and David
Eisner have been elected Co-Vice Presidents. She also noted OTBA’s
upcoming street festival and group marketing opportunities and
asked that everyone keep the victims and recovery volunteers of
Katrina in mind.
Bruce Levin presented on the Centex Home development
proposed for the B&B catering site. The project is
currently designed as a 140-unit condominium building, with parking
below. The building height ranges from 31 ft. (3 stories) in front
to 50 ft. at the penthouse levels. The units will be predominantly
1 BR + den, but there are also studios and 2BR units. The units
range in size from 400 to 1,200 SF, and are expected to sell for
$150,000 to the upper $400,000s.
The project is U-shaped, with a drive and green space in the
center, and the current plan calls for an entrance and exit on
Spring Place and a right-turn only exit on Blair Rd. The exterior
will be all brick and stone.
The project is meant to provide affordable transit oriented
housing and will include access to the hiker-biker trail, a Flexcar
location and green building features. It is the biggest project
in the Takoma area in the last 20 years.
Design plans for the project are continuing to change in response
to neighborhood and HPRB comments. Bruce hopes to have HPRB approval
at the next meeting, in late October, and construction is likely
to start in the summer of 2006.
The question and answer session included a discussion of the
possibility of placing a public art piece on the project’s
central green space. Bruce suggested contacting Elizabeth Morris
at Centex. Green building aspects, including a potential green
roof an efficient electric operated water heating system were
also discussed.
Bruce noted that letters of support for the project, from OTBA
and/or individual businesses, would be appreciated.
Pennye Jones-Napier reported on memberships.
OTBA’s membership of approximately 60 includes more businesses
that provide services than merchants. There will be a new drive
for membership near the end of the year. Pennye also noted that
OTBA will renew its pursuit of a Main Street designation from
DC and that the Main Street Takoma promotions committee is working
on a new group advertising effort with the Washington City Paper.
Mary Stover gave a Main Street Takoma Update.
Volunteers are still needed for the October 2 Street Festival,
especially during breakdown (5 to 7 p.m.) and set-up (7 –
10 a.m.). Mary also noted that OTBA will soon (hopefully by Oct.
1) have applications available for $15,000 in State of MD funding
to reimburse business and building owners for up to 50% of the
cost of eligible façade improvements.
Valentine Davies presented information about the recently
opened Culture Shop. He noted that he is looking forward
to working with OTBA and other businesses to continue to affect
positive change in the area.
Other Items:
Jude Garrett announced a new section of her store dedicated to
knitting and plans for knitting classes to be held at Now and
Then.
Joy Austin-Lane congratulated John Mangan on his building’s
completion. John noted that he expects to hold a grand opening
in about 1 month.
Joy Austin-Lane also noted that Jamal Development is proposing
construction of a Harris Teeter store (95,000 SF) and 150 condo
development for the lots next to CVS on Willow Street. Jamal has
been trying to work with CVS in order to integrate and reconstruct
the entire site from Carroll Ave., but CVS is not cooperative.
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:40.
Mission Statement: The Old Takoma Business Association brings
together businesses and community organizations dedicated to developing
a vibrant market center, from Takoma Junction Maryland to the
Takoma Theatre DC, to enhance our unique and historic town setting.
Post Office address: Old Takoma Business Association, Post
Office Box 5440, Takoma Park, Maryland 20913.
