Symphony Woods

Some people call it Columbia's version of New York's Central Park.That might be a stretch, but the 40-acre Symphony Woods in Town Center has for years been known as one of the planned community's largest unspoiled expanses of nature -- unspoiled, and some say, largely unused."

A local landscape design firm with a plan to preserve and upgrade Symphony Woods made its case before the Columbia Council last night, reviving interest in what some local officials have called an underused -- and underappreciated -- resource.Cyril B. Paumier Jr. and Charles Bailey, partners in the Columbia-based LDR International, told the 10-member council that they would like to see a "moderate" number of improvements to the 40-acre Town Center park, which would make it more accessible and user-friendly.

Some people call it Columbia's version of New York's Central Park.That might be a stretch, but the 40-acre Symphony Woods in Town Center has for years been known as one of the planned community's largest unspoiled expanses of nature -- unspoiled, and some say, largely unused."

Some people call it Columbia's version of Central Park.That might be a stretch, but the 40-acre Symphony Woods in Town Center has for years been known as one of the planned community's largest unspoiled expanses of nature -- unspoiled, and some say, largely unused."

The Columbia Council began last night to evaluate a proposal for help in redesigning Symphony Woods, Columbia's largest and, perhaps, most underused park.Cyril B. Paumier Jr., a partner at the Columbia-based landscape design firm LDR International, told council members that the original team that developed the planned community, including the late James W. Rouse, intended for the 40-acre parcel to be the "most special place in Columbia.""That dream has never been realized, in my point of view," he said.

The fiery indignation of a Rouse Co. vice president proved more powerful yesterday than the concerns of some Columbia residents and two former high-ranking zoning officials who were trying to kill a plan for residential development downtown.The residents, along with former Planning Board Chairwoman Helen Ruther and former Zoning Board Chairman Paul R. Farragut, believe that a Rouse Co. plan to build apartments on 11 acres adjoining Town Center's Symphony Woods is wrong-headed.But a short-handed county Planning Board -- two of the five members were absent -- found more persuasive the arguments of Alton J. Scavo, the Rouse Co. vice president in charge ofColumbia's development.

Since the plan for Columbia was first put to paper, its creator, the Rouse Co., has promised a downtown enlivened by the arts, entertainment and commerce. Part of what was to make it happen was the construction of a mix of housing that would supply many of the patrons who would support these enterprises. But the plans have borne fruit slowly. Nearly 30 years after the first stone was turned there, downtown Columbia -- better known as Town Center -- is too often a sleepy hub that virtually shuts down when offices close for the evening.

The Columbia Council is scheduled to vote tonight on guidelines that would control the Columbia Association's new nonbinding referendum, or "advisory vote" policy, which lets citizens petition certain issues to a Columbia-wide vote.The wide-ranging agenda for tonight's meeting also includes discussion of plans to improve Symphony Woods park, to institute a competitive bidding policy for construction projects and to sponsor a forum on governance.The council is also asking residents to comment on CA's proposed $1.4 million recreational vehicle storage facility, although the issue is not on the formal agenda.

Symphony of Lights raises nearly $100,000Howard County General Hospital's first Symphony of Lights, one of the largest holiday light shows on the East Coast, has been deemed an entertainment and fund-raising success by hospital organizers.More than 200,000 individuals of all ages in 43,410 cars, vans, limousines, trucks and buses came to Symphony Woods in Columbia to drive 20 to 30 minutes through a display of more than 40 animated and stationary light sculptures.Net proceeds from the Symphony of Lights were nearly $100,000.

Last weekend's Wine in the Woods festival in Columbia was the toast of the town, organizers say, drawing about 11,000 people to the two-day event, at $13 each."

Courtney Watson recalled how she often went to Symphony Woods on family outings while growing up in Howard County. As a teenager, she went for concerts or to listen in on shows at Merriweather Post Pavilion. But as an adult, she couldn't recall having taken her family there. That could change. During a presentation Wednesday night by the Columbia Association, Watson and other County Council members seemed receptive to a plan to revitalize Symphony Woods by turning it into a family-friendly destination and cultural center over the next five years.

The death of a Columbia tree by chain saw often provokes a public outcry, which is why the Columbia Association is moving cautiously as it cuts down 18 large, decades-old damaged trees in Symphony Woods, the town's grove bordering Merriweather Post Pavilion. "The public is going to be concerned when they see the trees come down," said Cynthia A.S.H. Coyle, who chairs the CA board's Planning and Strategy Committee. "The reason is obvious," said Steve Sattler, CA's communications director.

Looking out over the southern end of Town Center from the ninth floor of a Little Patuxent Parkway office building, Barbara Kellner was struck by the panorama that unfolded before her. The bird's-eye view of the surrounding green spaces, buildings, roads and parking lots sharply crystallized the layout of the area in a way that maps and at-grade photographs couldn't communicate, said the manager of the Columbia Archives. "I wished that more people could get that perspective so they would better understand the conversation about redevelopment," said Kellner, referring to the 30-year plan for downtown submitted for county review by Columbia's owner, General Growth Properties Inc. From that small seed sprang the idea for another in a continuing series of summer walking tours of Columbia, this newest one to focus on Symphony Woods and nearby points of interest.

Columbia presents ninth BikeAbout The Columbia Association's ninth annual BikeAbout will be held at 9 a.m. May 2 at Symphony Woods in Town Center, Columbia. Bicyclists can begin the bike ride any time between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Incoming CA President Phil Nelson will make his first public appearance as the association's leader by welcoming people to the event. The BikeAbout highlights the history of Columbia and its open space with a 12-mile marked route, allowing bicyclists of all ages to enjoy a self-paced ride.

General Growth Properties has agreed to county planners' request to provide 15 percent of new housing in a redeveloped downtown Columbia for people who make $80,000 or less annually, but company leaders are resisting another key county suggestion. The firm's executives went before the county Planning Board on Thursday evening at Wilde Lake High School to answer questions raised during the company's presentation two weeks ago and to listen to testimony from residents. "It's all the crossing of i's and the dotting of t's, as you would expect," said Greg Hamm, senior vice president and Columbia general manager for General Growth, Columbia's developer.

Another business-oriented group of Columbia activists in favor of the General Growth Properties plan to redevelop Town Center is organizing with the hope of playing a role in the long process. The group, called Columbia Tomorrow and led by development consultant Jud Malone, joins several others with similar objectives. They include Columbia 2.0, oriented toward younger adults, and Bring Back the Vision. Other groups, such as the Columbia Association and the Coalition for Columbia's downtown, have taken a more skeptical view of the GGP plan.

Questions persist on Town Center plan The General Growth Properties (GGP) presentation on the Town Center master plan earlier this month was most impressive. It is clear that the plan has been well thought out and that GGP is committed to thinking creatively in terms of redefining Town Center as the heart of a new Columbia that will endure as a leading edge community of its size for future generations. However, there are three looming questions in my mind that still need to be addressed.

The place where Jimi played is the hole in a doughnut. Merriweather Post Pavilion - the summertime stage for music from Hendrix to now, and one of Columbia's most visited tracts - is at the center of what could be the initial test in the planned community's first large-scale makeover. If the concert venue is the hole, then the surrounding 37-acre ring of land, owned by the community association that essentially governs Columbia, is the doughnut. But the Columbia Association has had a cool relationship with General Growth Properties - the developer that owns the concert venue and much of downtown Columbia, and has unveiled a $350 million plan to transform the place.

COMEDY PSYCHED ABOUT SYKES Maryland native Wanda Sykes has won several Emmy Awards, appeared in My Super Ex-Girlfriend and Evan Almighty, and has lent her voice to such animated films as Over the Hedge and Barnyard. The comedian wrote for The Chris Rock Show and The Keenan Ivory Wayans Show and received an Emmy nomination for her HBO comedy special Wanda Sykes: Sick & Tired. Sykes, who currently appears on the CBS sitcom The New Adventures of Old Christine, takes her acerbic wit to the Lyric Opera House for a stand-up comedy show tonight.

Library seeking help from students The Howard County Library is seeking students 13 and older to assist library staff members with summer reading clubs for children, craft programs and other tasks. Students who are interested must attend a training session and complete an application before the session. One-hour training sessions are scheduled: 11 a.m. May 17 and 7 p.m. May 29 at the Miller branch, 410-313-1950. 7 p.m. May 27 at the central library, 410-313-7860. 2 p.m. May 31 and 7 p.m. June 16 at the Elkridge library, 410-313-5088.