Digital map allows people to provide comments about existing conditions and future improvements in the study area, both online and via text message
SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, recently launched an online outreach tool, called the MCReactMap, on Tuesday, May 19 at a virtual community meeting, to allow residents and stakeholders to provide feedback through their smart phones about the Advancing the Pike District study area. Advancing the Pike District is a Montgomery Planning initiative to accelerate the transformation of White Flint’s core into a walkable, mixed-use district by identifying short- and medium-term implementation-focused solutions that build on the Sector Plan’s recommendations, enhance mobility, and promote economic development, urban design and placemaking.
Using the hashtags #LoveIt, #FixIt, #NeedIt, property owners can text their concerns and comments about what they love about the Pike District community and what is missing or needs improvement in these areas. They can also access the MCReactMap from a computer and register their feedback online.
The MCReact Map was unveiled at a virtual community meeting as a way to obtain feedback on the project while social distancing. This map allows people to make comments, interact with other community members and provide feedback on the project area. Map users are invited to tell planners what they like about the area, what they think needs improvement and what they think is missing through the platform. Community members can also respond to prompts that will be placed in the community via text that will be displayed on the map.
Clicking on the pins on the digital map reveals questions to answer about different neighborhoods within the plan area. Visitors can also respond to other comments they agree or disagree with. Other features include a language translation tool as well as street views of the plan area and social media sharing options. Standard message and data rates may apply.
About the First Virtual Community Meeting
Montgomery Planning partnered with the Friends of White Flint and Councilmember Andrew Friedson to host an online community meeting for the Advancing the Pike District project on May 19.
Watch the full meeting on demand.
During the meeting, attendees heard from planners, urban designers, and real estate experts about the goals of the project and received an update on the current status of the implementation of the 2010 White Flint Sector Plan.
About Advancing the Pike District
The Advancing the Pike District project revisits and builds upon the recommendations from the 2010 White Flint Sector Plan, which has guided infrastructure improvements and development in the White Flint area over the past decade, with the goal of accelerating White Flint’s transformation. Other goals include:
- Provide an up-to-date Progress Snapshot: Summarize development patterns and trends to date, identify challenges inhibiting development around the White Flint Metro Station area, and highlight successful planning and development practices and lessons learned since the Sector Plan’s adoption.
- Implement Vision Zero in White Flint’s Core: Integrate Vision Zero concepts and principles to reduce conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians and to create a safe environment for all modes of transportation around the Metro Station area.
- Position the White Flint Metro Station for success: Create an urban design framework and common vision that maximizes the Metro site’s potential, advances county goals and enhances access alternatives to the Metro Station.
- Create an identity for the Pike District through Placemaking: Host a community event in coordination with the Better Block Foundation and the Pike District rebranding campaign.
View the project’s scope of work and the presentation to the Planning Board on March 12. Watch an interview with the lead planners on the project.
For more information about Advancing the Pike District, contact Walker Freer at 301-495-4651 or by email. Sign up for the project’s eletter to stay informed.