Walgreens Developers Work to Please Neighbors
DMS Development collaborated with Towson Park residents to reduce the new store's impact on the community.
Early in the development of the new York Road Walgreens, Towson Park Community Association president Nancy Pivec didn't have high hopes.
But now, as the new store at the Fairmount Avenue intersection nears completion, she said she and her neighbors are "very pleased" with steps the store's developer has taken to minimize its impact on the community.
The Walgreens, constructed by Towson-based DMS Development, should open in early 2012. The store will be open 24 hours and include a drive-thru pharmacy.
In an interview, Pivec praised DMS president David M. Schlachman, crediting him with going above and beyond the call of duty with improvements to the site and changes to the design.
"His people just bent over backwards for us," she said.
The improvements include a new, metal neighborhood sign, a restored memorial plaque honoring a former resident and a repaved alley. The "T" logo seen on the York Road and Dulaney Valley Road bridges on the Baltimore Beltway make an appearance on the store's fencing. The green space near the corner (where the wooden Towson Park sign once stood) is now landscaped.
In addition, the alley behind the store has been repaved and—at the community's request—the store was built as a one-story building with storage in the basement, unlike most Walgreens stores, which are two stories tall.
"I think that we were very lucky to get so much, to have so much input and have them really cater to Towson Park as a neighborhood," Pivec said.
Schlachman was not available for comment.
Pivec, a Radcliffe Road resident, formed the Towson Park Community Association in 2009, amid the opening of a somewhat controversial new Burger King and an influx of rental housing.
Since then, the Burger King ownership has worked with Pivec, and she said she thinks having a community association helped get a better deal for residents this time around.
She is not as concerned about the increased traffic the store may bring, and thinks that the store will provide a new option beyond the nearby CVS and Safeway stores.
"I think it'll probably bring prices down at CVS, and a little bit of competition never hurts anyone," Pivec said.
David Marks
3:03 pm on Friday, December 30, 2011
It's one of the most attractive buildings completed in Towson this year. I have heard nothing but positive comments. It really improves this northern gateway into Towson.
Ali Crawford
11:53 am on Saturday, December 31, 2011
Walgreens is a great looking building as is the Towson Park space. I am concerned about the additional accumulation of trash, vandalism and perhaps damage to the Towson Park space. In large part due to the existing bus stops.
J Garrett
3:39 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011
It would have been nice had the building been fronting the sidewalk and the street with parking in the rear. This street has way too much traffic on it, and it is not a very inviting place to walk.
J Garrett
3:39 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011
This street has way too much traffic on it, and it is not a very inviting place to walk. At least the middle of Towson has ideas of a 'walkable' community. With so much increased traffic on York and Fairmount, I wonder about the viability of the Towson Park community going forward. It is an island of homes in-between two rivers of concrete.
Bart
5:08 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2011
These are the types of attitudes that have caused Towson to languish for decades. The bus stop has always been there. The sidewalk has always been there. Can't we at least recognize an attractive addition to the neighborhood for what it is?
Perhaps Towson Park could organize a team to help clean up the corner; it wouldn't take much. Or even ask Carver School for the Arts to make that corner a Community Service project fr some of the students. Some of those kids wait on that corner for busses.
Instead of bemoaning the change, grab onto it and make things even better!
Southland Hills Mom
12:01 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Want to attract homeowners and protect values in Towson Park and our whole community? Get rid of the vacant buildings and paved lots on York Road and emphasize our assets, like the new Carver HS. Wouldn't it be great if the County could purchase the eyesore vacant lot on the northwest corner of Fairmount and York--currently several slabs of broken asphalt with a huge "Pad for Lease" sign--to create an attractive entrance for Carver HS? Being able to showcase our beautiful new school at the "gateway" to Towson, instead of burying it behind closed businesses, crumbling buildings (the Carwash), and shoddy paved and empty lots, would project vibrant and classy image of Towson.
Old Terp
10:24 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Agree - the county should do whatever they can to expand that campus.
Talmaniac
4:42 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2012
Southland Hills Mom -
I couldn't agree more. I really wish the County had the vision and money to buy properties like the old car wash in front of Carver. Thanks to Walgreens for taking such care with the development of the site across the street.
Bart
9:00 am on Monday, January 2, 2012
Southland Hills Mom-
You are spot on. The new school building is beautiful, and should be surrounded by attractive buildings. However, I wouldn't be surprised if there were some plans for the property. That area of York Road has become quite busy, and attractive to business. It just takes time, I suppose.
With every new plan that is made, with every new building that is constructed, Towson becomes stronger and more productive.
The best thing is, much of the new construction is on old, derelict properties. I feel very confident for this New Year.
Bill McAllen
6:15 pm on Monday, January 2, 2012
We need a Rite-Aid on the corner where the car wash was located.
Bart
6:40 pm on Monday, January 2, 2012
Ha!
Meg O'Hare
2:32 am on Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Gee when Walgreen came to Carney, MD they could have cared less about the community or its needs. At least they are making an effort now.
I believe Walgreen must know something about the impending National Health Care delivery. So many Walgreens that I guess they will replace the current private physician's office to deliver health care to the masses. How personal! Baltimore County does not need 2 pharmacies at each major failing intersection.
David Marks
7:36 am on Tuesday, January 3, 2012
I have tried very hard to demolish derelict buildings on York Road; the same developer who built this Walgreens also owns the property where the Junior Press once stood at the Towson Triangle, and bulldozed the graffiti-stained buildings there at my request. As for the section near Carver High School, there is an active effort to redevelop the old car wash site. I can't say by whom, but it is not the county government; the county simply does not have the money right now to be acquiring new properties. But the Walgreens and redevelopment of the car wash site would really clean up this gateway into Towson.
Public Citizen
9:28 am on Monday, January 9, 2012
I'm delighted that everyone in Towson are happy with the new Walgreens on York Road. Im surprised though that we haven't heard a comment from Councilman Todd Huff. Even though its not the county district he represents if memory serves me correct he is a business owner in the general area. Again if memory serve correct the business he runs used to once occupy the current Walgreens site. So what do you think Mr. Huff?