Sidewalks And Crosswalks Added As Pikesville Revitalization Continues

BALTIMORE COUNTY - Through the investment of more than $5.5 million, Baltimore County officials and the Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation have made significant progress towards revitalizing the Pikesville area.

"For the last four-plus years, my staff and I have been working extremely hard and diligently with County Executive Johnny Olszewski, the Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Transportation, and numerous community groups/leaders to improve the walkability and pedestrian safety concerns in the greater Pikesville area," Baltimore County Councilman Izzy Patoka wrote.

In December 2021, the Baltimore County Council adopted the Pikesville Revitalization Action Plan. The 22-page report outlined goals for the Pikesville area and ways to improve long-neglected infrastructure and aesthetics.

The Action Plan notes Pikesville's history as a thriving community and how it has suffered from a lack of investment over the past decades.

"Pikesville's neighborhoods are among some of the oldest in Baltimore County. Those neighborhoods enjoyed a vibrant and thriving downtown, but today those aspects are lacking."

At a community input session on Thursday, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski and County Councilman Izzy Patoka shared the progress made towards Pikesville's revitalization and the project's goals for the future.

The Department of Public Works and Transportation (DWP&T) has made massive strides toward achieving one of the project's primary goals: improving transportation infrastructure and the streetscape.

DWP&T has completed over 50 pedestrian ramp upgrades, added sidewalks, and a crosswalk to Stevenson Road and Smith Avenue at Pebble Brooke Road. Additionally, funding has been secured for Seven Mile Lane sidewalks ($1 million) and more pedestrian improvements ($500,00).

One of the main short-medium-term goals for the project is improving pedestrian access to Pikesville middle school by adding sidewalks along the west side of Seven Mile Lane, from Midfield Road to Old Court Road.

The project still has many long-term goals, including a possible relocation of the Pikesville Library and/or Senior Center and a proposed redevelopment of the Pikesville Armory.