It isn’t often these days to find everyone agreeing on something, but at its June 22 regular meeting, the Greenbelt City Council took up an item that had immediately received support from everyone involved in reviewing it.
In a report titled Recommended Enhancements to Lighting in Roosevelt Center, the city’s Arts Advisory Board (AAB) presented an idea suggested by member Effie Levner to build on the success of last winter’s extended holiday lighting by continuing it at various times year-round in targeted areas throughout the Center.
Doing so, they suggested, would “make the space feel more inviting, safe and festive for citizens and visitors.” Some of the proposed additions include the following:
• Lighting to highlight the Mother and Child statue, echoing the night lights on the Lenore Thomas reliefs at the Community Center. AAB Chair Kristen Stenson said that, while the reliefs are visible day and night, the Mother and Child statue, which is also a city landmark, can scarcely be seen.
• Season-specific lighting throughout the Center to create an inviting and festive atmosphere.
• Ground-level lighting to increase pedestrian safety and define the Center, for example, in the area of the staircase leading down to the Greenbelt Arts Center and the pathway between the New Deal Café and WMCRP Architects.
• Repairing the dysfunctional lighting on the second level of two of the original buildings in the Center.
In addition to the descriptions of the suggested changes, the AAB had prepared slides with “before” and “after” images of how specific areas in the Center might look.
Representatives of the AAB met in February with members of the Roosevelt Center Merchants Association to get their reaction to the proposal and found them to be very receptive. Benefits cited included improving safety for both merchants and residents visiting the Center, making the Center more appealing and giving the Center “life.”
Councilmember Judith Davis moved to encourage further planning on the project, with the understanding that due to this year’s fiscal uncertainties it would likely have to be pursued in phases. She noted that Public Works Director Jim Sterling had suggested that some components, including some of the lighting itself, might be accomplished through that department’s budget. Another promising source of help was the Roosevelt Center property manager, who volunteered expertise in developing a lighting plan.
Councilmember Rodney Roberts supported the idea, with the caveat that he did not approve of putting lights on trees and that he would like to see the planning go in the direction of restoring the original concept of the Center. He also pointed out that some of the buildings where lighting would need to be restored are not owned by the city and would require the owner’s permission.
Councilmember Silke Pope seconded Davis’s motion. When the vote was taken, council unanimously encouraged the AAB and the Public Works Department to further develop the plan and provide information to council on what can be done in phases with the funding available.