Patch Will Feature Paresi Design Plans From 1997

could look vastly different than it does today.

First, it could have been completely burned and abandoned some 200 years ago during the . Good thing it wasn't.

Changes are proposed constantly that could alter the landscape of our quaint, historic city.

Fifteen years ago, a study was done to examine how the waterfront could be maximized in .

The Paresi Design Studio in Los Angeles conducted an "Urban Design & Waterfront Study" on , that was released in Feb. 1997.

Many of the projects described in the plans never came to fruition, and there were  a number of factors—the economy being one of them.

I got hold of the plans about four months ago, but decided to hold off on publishing anything at the time.

Now, as the 15-year anniversary approaches, I figured it's a good time to release some of the designs. I'm not re-introducing these designs as a means to criticize what hasn't happened—rather to encourage some conversation about how the city can improve from here.

While many of the Paresi Design recommendations remained just drawings, some of them have become reality—including the development at Penn's Beach Marina. Now, it's the  condominiums, rather than the hotel proposed in the Paresi study.

Just a few months ago, plans were unveiled for as visitors travel down MD Route 155 and pass under U.S. Route 40.

Revitalizing the and was also a key focus of the study, and another aspect that has come to fruition.

Many items were pipe dreams. Some are still possibilities.

We'll release a feature each week for the next few weeks, focusing on some of the key elements from the study.

Do you recall the release of the study in February 1997? Reflect on what you remember, or tell us about what you'd like to see in with a comment below.