Northwest development's impact on stream eyed

Powder Mill Run prone to flooding, sewage spills and backups

Hicks said she wants more than just assurances that the development won't affect the stream, and she contended that over the years the city has done little more than pay lip service to restoring the Gwynns Falls. She pointed out a faded 25-year-old sign hanging on a neighbor's fence proclaiming Grove Park to be a "model pollution-free neighborhood" in the then-new stream restoration campaign.

Preston Greene, president of the community association for neighboring Howard Park, said he shares Hicks' concerns about development's impact on Powder Mill Run.

"It's in pretty rough shape as well," Greene said of the stretch flowing through his neighborhood.

Needed restoration work identified years ago has yet to be done, he said, and while the Northwest Plaza representatives at last weekend's community meeting said the project would not hurt the stream, he wants to see the details spelled out in writing.

"We're hoping to at least stabilize its current condition while we wait for the long-term" fixes, Greene said.

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