A former truck depot on Columbia Pike that became a sudden and unexpected bus stop in 2019 could take on a life as a miniature park.
A property at 4110 Columbia Pike, currently home to a 7-Eleven and previously the site of a Penske truck rental, is one of three planned locations for “mini parks” included in the Barcroft Apartments development project.
Developer Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners is soliciting public feedback on its plans for the lot at the corner of Columbia Pike and S. George Mason Drive.
A survey running until June 23 describes requirements for a park of this size under the county’s zoning ordinance.
The Form Based Code document is quite prescriptive with uses in the park. For parks between 0.21 and 0.3 acres the park shall have signage, a pedestrian path, and a minimum of two bike racks, benches and trash and recycling receptacles. The park must also have an amenity from the “Additional Amenities” section of the table above. Also, at least 50% of the park must be unpaved and 25% of the unpaved pervious area shall be vegetated.
The survey noted that underground utility lines limit the space where trees can be planted.
Retail space, parking garage access and residential units will all be located just east of the park, according to a presentation.
Renderings of the proposed site show large areas of seating around trees and other vegetation at a slightly lower elevation than the Columbia Pike sidewalk.
The survey asks whether or not the respondents feel the park is welcoming enough and asks for their opinions on the amenities.
