the Neighborhood Design Center

Streetscape and Pedestrian Planning

West North Ave. Revitalization

Project Vision

This streetscape planning project aims to transform a section of West North Avenue into a vibrant, welcoming, and inspiring public space that celebrates the area’s pride, culture, and history. Building on the community’s energy and strengths, the placemaking initiatives will create streets and gathering places that feel safe, beautiful, and full of possibility.

Coppin Heights CDC

Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation (CHCDC) is a nonprofit organization committed to developing and improving affordable housing in the Greater Coppin Heights/Rosemont community.

Area of Focus

The study area for this streetscape improvement plan focuses on North Avenue once marked the northern border of the Baltimore City CHCDC’s target revitalization blocks, nicknamed “Transformation Place,” which stretches from the 2600 to the 2900 block, and is anchored by Coppin State University on the east.

West North Avenue is a two-way state road, with two lanes of traffic and parking on each side, divided by a hard median. The outer lane of traffic is a designated bus and bike lane. There are sidewalks of varying widths and qualities on both sides of the street, while the sidewalks at each intersection corner are characterized by extra wide pavement and visibility towards the street.

Our Observations

    • Crosswalks exist at all three of the signalled intersections, however the striping is faded and ADA ramps do not directly align with all crosswalks

    • Pedestrian signals are present but inconsistent and incomplete in their placement

    • There is little existing infrastructure in the form of street furnishings such as benches, bus shelters, and trash cans.

    • Lack of lighting and too dark for pedestrian safety at night

    • Not enough tree pits to comply with current city greening standards

    • Where the sidewalk narrows, some treepits are overgrown and obstruct an accessible walkway

    • Only one existing mural in the study area

Engagement

Two visioning workshops were held for staff and board members of the Coppin Heights CDC in October 2024, followed up by a pop-up engagement in front of Walbrook Mills Apartments in the same month. An online survey was subsequently distributed at the pop-up as well as at Coppin Heights CDC’s annual meeting. We summarized this feedback into data that informed our recommendations.

Our Recommendations

Pedestrian Safety Recommendations

    • Repaint / Add Crosswalks at all intersections

    • Add “Pedestrian Crossing” signage

    • Investigate painting medians, especially at crossings

    • Create consistent pedestrian lighting plan, to include more ambient lighting such as

    • bistro lights near Walbrook Mill Apartments

    • Investigate potential traffic calming measures like speed humps or rumble strips

Greening Recommendations

    • Consult with Tree Baltimore to remove all dead / dying trees

    • Plant empty tree pits, alternating between small trees and shrubs

    • Consider community greening project at Southwest corner of Dukeland intersection

    • Create community-managed planter program for interested residents

    • Install low-maintenance plantings under the CSX bridge

Public Art Recommendations

    • Paint murals on faces of corner buildings

    • Call for artists for yearly rotating artwork at bulletin boards

    • Paint boards on boarded up vacant buildings

    • Design and hang neighborhood identity banners on street poles

    • Activate areas with wide sidewalks by painting temporary or permanent art

    • Install interactive art work on sidewalk at intersections with high visibility and wide paving

Public Space Recommendations

    • Add bus shelters, seatings, and trash cans to all bus stops

    • Add bulletin boards to street corners with yearly rotating artwork and local information

    • Prioritize development of public spaces that include benefits for a variety of ages, such as sensory gardens and play spaces

    • Possible public spaces activations: movie nights, community dinner, youth organized art market, flea market

A few of our inspiration images.
A few of our inspiration images.

A Roadmap for Growth

Alongside these recommendations, we provided example imagery, as well as resources, grants, and helpful organizations to get in touch with.

Improvements such as high-visibility crosswalks, accessible sidewalks, brighter lighting, murals, landscaping, and public art will make the environment more inviting and walkable.

New amenities—including bus shelters, seating, and banners—will reflect community identity while supporting daily use and future growth. Together, these changes will re-energize Coppin Heights, fostering connection, investment, and lasting neighborhood pride.

This project was made possible by design volunteers Michelle Chen, Britney Jackson, Eric Johnson, Jordan Mueller, and Connor Larry Price, with direction by NDC staff Julia DiMauro and Jacie Peacock.

Last Updated June 2025

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One of many community workshops. Photos by Matt Roth.

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