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Source: Capital Gazette, Capital Gazette Staff
Efforts to rethink the future of City Dock in Annapolis continue Tuesday night with a talk by a Florida academic on the potential impact of self-driving vehicles on the urban landscape.
Dr. Tim Chapin, the dean of the College of Social Sciences and Public Policy of Florida State University, will speak at Maryland Hall for the Creative arts on how historic communities can integrate autonomous vehicles and shared mobility.
Chapin’s research revolve around how demographic trends influence urban patterns and transportation systems. He is considered an expert on land use and comprehensive planning, growth management and urban redevelopment.
He is the second speaker in the “Reimagining City Dock” series, a cooperative project between the City of Annapolis and Historic Annapolis.
In a report this spring, the Urban Land Institute report encouraged reimagining City Dock adding park space, encouraging investing in redevelopment and new activities while maintaining existing zoning and addressing sea-level rise. It also suggested a working group of stakeholders like the City Dock Action Committee, which continues to meet.
Charleston Mayor Joe Riley was the first to speak in the series last month, and offered blunt advice:
“Don’t make stupid mistakes. It’s is hard not to do. You must remain vigilant … Put your city in the context of time, because you are creating something for generations.”
Chapin’s talk will focus more on a specific subject, the future of transportation.
“Parking and transportation in and around City Dock are two major issues that we, as a community and a world class heritage tourism destination, have grappled with for years,” Historic Annapolis President and CEO Robert Clark wrote in a letter to the editor Sunday.
His talk comes as Alderwoman Elly Tierney, D-Ward 1, has proposed raising parking meter fees at City Dock from $2 to $4 as part of a shift of cars away from the waterfront. Part of the overall city transportation plan includes expanding Hillman Garage through a public private partnership and shifting cars from City Dock.
Chapin’s lecture starts at 7 p.m. at Maryland Hall located at 801 Chase St. in Annapolis. Pre-registration is requested; go marylandhall.org for more information.