Street parties planned to attract consumers

The Baltimore Sun

Consultants, county officials, community leaders and a lot of other folks have spent considerable time and energy thinking of ways to get more people to shop and dine in Towson. They have studied diagrams, pored over maps, made lists and held meetings.

Nancy Hafford figures a party might do the trick.

"You can change buildings and streets, but you have to have events," says Hafford, the new executive director of Towson's Chamber of Commerce.

The business group is organizing a series of Friday night gatherings, featuring entertainment for children and performances by local bands. The "Feet on the Street" block parties begin this week.

Allegheny Avenue between Washington Avenue and York Road will be closed for the party, just as that stretch is for the Farmers' Market held each Thursday.

The chamber's series follows last month's "Walkable Towson" charrette, a planning process devoted to coming up with pedestrian improvements to make the Baltimore County seat more appealing to shoppers and diners.

A team of consultants, who also met with residents and merchants over several days, is working through the summer to complete the plan.

Recommendations include slimming York Road from four lanes to two, with extra room for parallel parking to entice visitors to linger in front of shops and restaurants, converting Chesapeake and Pennsylvania avenues into two-way streets and creating open, parklike spaces for festivals and outdoor events.

Towson's renewal and redevelopment efforts have intensified over the past two years, with a dozen retail and residential construction projects under way or in the works.

But Hafford says there are already many charming shops and restaurants.

"You need to get people here, and then they can find these little treasures," she says.

The local band Beach Bumz, which plays Jimmy Buffet songs and other beach-themed music, will perform at tomorrow's kick-off party. For children, there will be inflatable play equipment. Shops will stay open later than usual, and restaurants will sell food on the sidewalks, Hafford says. The chamber will sell beer and wine.

The Friday night block parties will be held through Aug. 24.

Information: www.towson businessassoc.org.laura.barnhardt@baltsun.com

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