TAPSI | North & Druid Hill – McCulloh Pavement Art Voting

This transit safety and pedestrian improvement pilot project focuses on two intersections along W North Avenue at Druid Hill Ave and McCulloh Street. Proposed features include bus stop platforms bookended by bin blocks, bump outs with pavement art, flex posts, concrete planters, and additional placemaking elements to be determined through community engagement. All features are temporary measures to help us gauge what is most effective to improve safety and functionality of these intersections for the community, with the goal of catalyzing more permanent long term improvements based off project results.

Accessibility is paramount to the engagement process and usability of the final installation. The project team has been collaborating with local leaders from the National Federation of the Blind, Maryland Transit Administration, Baltimore City DOT, and Maryland Department of Disabilities to gather input on the functionality of the design for folks with disabilities. A 3D printed model with tactile components is enabling us to engage a wider range of community members, both in pop-up engagement and in dedicated meetings with folks with vision impairments.

Engagement timeline and local support:

July-September: Meetings with Baltimore City Department of Transportation, Maryland Transit Administration, and Maryland Department of Disabilities
October: Local stakeholder site walk, Concept presentation at WNADA’s Comprehensive Planning Meeting
November: Outdoor Pop-Up Community Engagement Event held with local businesses, residents, and transit riders
December: Community canvassing and support from 90% of residents and business owner’s . Submit application to BCDOT

The project is funded by the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA), the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and the Baltimore Community Foundation. Graham Projects and OpenWorks lead design, engagement, and fabrication.

North Ave & Druid Hill Ave Pavement Art Concepts

Concept 1: Read Between the Ropes

Read Between the Ropes takes inspiration from the patterns made by the ropes of a boxing ring, turning geometric linework into a pattern evocative of West African textiles with a Pan-African color palette. The red triangular shapes also evoke book pages, representing Umar Boxing’s “No Hooks Before Books” motto and celebrating their commitment to education.

Inspiration Image: *Boxing ring at Umar Boxing with “No Hooks Before Books” Banner in the background*

Concept 2: POWer to the Pavement

POWer to the Pavement transports visitors into a vibrant cartoon world. Sound words for boxing actions like “Pow” and “Whiff” are turned into dynamic, comic-book style geometry full of energy and movement. One can even imagine the action sequence of hooks, haymakers, and dodges! Umar Boxing’s “No Hooks Before Books” motto inspired the whirling linework which represents the movement of fluttering book pages.

*Inspiration Image: Comic book panel from black lighting demonstrating onomatopoeia*

Concept 3: Fan Favorite

Fan Favorite playful design draws inspiration from the bright color combinations commonly found in wax print fabric. It references a common ginkgo leaf motif — a symbol of peace, hope and vitality — and the fan as a tool for non-verbal self-expression in the Black Community.

*Inspiration Image: Community member comment with idea for “African Art”*

North Ave & McCulloh St Pavement Art Concepts

Concept 1: Dogwood Delight

Dogwood Delight draws inspiration from the flowering dogwood, a tree native to Baltimore, this design pays homage to the history of the flower shops that have been community staples on this corner, including Bonaparte’s Florist Shop and Fleurs D’Ave. The bright colors and wavy lines, representing leaf veins, are inspired by wax print fabric.

Concept 2: Waves of Abundance

Evoking a wax print textile, Waves of Abundance features the Adinkra symbol for “Abundance.” The symbol is made of a set of cowrie shells, a traditional form of currency and symbol of wealth, brought together into a shape resembling a flower. The design makes use of Black Liberation colors with an accent of indigo, a dye commonly used in traditional West African textiles.

*Inspiration Image: Community member drawing of flowers*

Concept 3: Funky Floral

Funky Floral flows with groovy tie-dye floral shapes, inspired by community art and the flower shop, Fleurs d’Ave. Feel the joy and celebration radiate from the artwork’s botanical forms and bold Pan-African-inspired color palette as you cross the street.

*Inspiration Image: Community member drawing with organic “tie dye” forms*

Thanks to everyone who voted!

The votes are being tallied and announcement will be made soon by WNADA on the community’s pavement art design choices. Thanks to everyone who voted online and in person at the Druid Heights CDC Community Meeting!