(BALTIMORE – August 27, 2025) – When the State of Maryland, local designers, engineers, and neighbors join forces, the result is safer streets with a splash of style. Graham Projects, the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA), and Open Works Baltimore are teaming up to improve transit access and pedestrian safety at West North Avenue’s busy intersections with McCulloh Street and Druid Hill Avenue.
These improvements are the result of a collaborative planning process that engaged neighborhood residents in providing feedback, reviewing budgets, and helping select public art designs to enhance the streetscape.
“Over the past several months, our team and Open Works have completed a lot of rewarding work along North Avenue at Druid Hill and McCulloh,” said Graham Coreil-Allen, owner of Graham Projects. “These placemaking and public art upgrades improve pedestrian safety, increase bus accessibility, and beautify the block with a community-inspired street mural designed and installed in collaboration with artist JaVon Townsend.”
Key improvements to date include:
- Fabrication and installation of three 40-foot, wheelchair-accessible bus platforms along the corridor, already in daily use and praised by the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).
- Placement and colorful painting of six large concrete blocks to protect each bus platform.
- Installation of three pervious, wheelchair-accessible rubber tree pits near North and Druid Hill Avenues, designed to reduce weeds, improve drainage, and allow wheelchair access across the sidewalk.
- Traffic calming bump-outs, flex posts, and high-visibility crosswalks at the intersection of Druid Hill Avenue and McCulloh Street.
- A colorful traffic calming mural in the bump-outs at North and McCulloh.
- Planters placed along the corridor, initially maintained by the project team.
- Anticipated installation of a solar Wi-Fi station in front of Archway Park by early September.
- Rescheduled installation of traffic calming and crosswalk murals at Druid Hill Avenue for spring 2026, due to Baltimore City Department of Transportation resurfacing work.
“This project is about both safe access to public transportation and increasing driver awareness of pedestrian walkways,” said Open Works Manager Zach Adams. He continued, “We have safer streets, and a beautiful addition to the neighborhood in one package. It was incredibly rewarding to see the community’s input to the artwork realized on the roadways!”
Baltimore City Department of Transportation will soon resurface Druid Hill Avenue. Pending completion of this work, Graham Projects expects to install the second traffic calming installation and pavement art project at North and Druid Hill Avenues next spring.
“This work is about more than paint and platforms,” said Chad Williams, Executive Director, West North Avenue Development Authority. “It’s about making West North Avenue safer, more welcoming, and accessible for everyone—whether you’re walking, riding a bus, or rolling in a wheelchair.”
Graham Projects and WNADA remain committed to creating safer streets and improved mobility access, building a better future for West Baltimore.
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About the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA) – Established by the State of Maryland, WNADA works to revitalize the West North Avenue corridor through strategic investments in infrastructure, economic development, safety, and placemaking. By partnering with residents, businesses, and community organizations, WNADA aims to create a vibrant, equitable, and thriving West Baltimore.
About Graham Projects – Graham Projects is a Baltimore-based public art and urban design studio that collaborates with communities to improve public spaces through creative placemaking, civic engagement, and innovative design solutions. Known for transforming streets, sidewalks, and underutilized areas into safe, engaging, and art-filled spaces, Graham Projects bridges art, design, and activism.
About Open Works Baltimore – Open Works is a non-profit makerspace in Baltimore providing access to tools, technology, and training for makers, entrepreneurs, and community members. Through classes, workshops, and collaborations, Open Works fosters creativity, skill-building, and local manufacturing to strengthen Baltimore’s economy and community networks.
