Placemaking Week 2024

Amidst the ever-evolving landscape of urban development, placemaking takes center stage at three unique projects: B&O Railroad Museum, College Park City Hall and the Rotunda Redevelopment. We’ll take you on a journey reimagining the B&O Railroad Museum revealing how the museum plans to expand its educational mission. Hint hint….it has to do with a signature open space. The once insular and walled off industrial campus will open and embrace the adjacent Pigtown community. A neglected parking lot will be transformed into a hub for communal events—food truck rallies, movie nights, and markets— and accommodate event programming unique to the museum mission creating an inclusive space that speaks to the historic richness of place. In the heart of Hampden, where eclectic shops and a kaleidoscope of experiences define its identity, the Rotunda Redevelopment blossomed into existence. Preserving the neighborhood's unique authenticity, the Rotunda cleverly married historic structures with contemporary additions providing opportunities for new retailers that didn’t fit Hamden’s Main Streets unique “Hon” culture. Honoring Hampden's vintage appeal the Rotunda accommodates new establishments, becoming a beacon of inclusive placemaking and creating a destination for young families in the neighborhood. College Park City Hall designed for city council sessions, public gatherings, and retail ventures has reinvigorated the city's downtown. The plaza, animated by outdoor dining and community activities, breathes new life into the city, fostering a sense of shared belonging and civic pride and creating a destination for community gathering. In this narrative of urban metamorphosis, placemaking emerges as the guiding principle—a conscious effort to blend history, modernity, and sustainability. These projects don't just build spaces; they orchestrate experiences, foster connections, and nurturing a collective identity. They serve as testaments to the power of thoughtful design, seamlessly integrating heritage with progress, enriching the local community.