What One Thing Is Perry Hall Missing? We Asked, You Answered

PERRY HALL, MD — We recently asked our readers on Facebook what one thing Perry Hall was missing, and boy, did you respond. We got more than 180 comments, and although it took a while, we went through each and every one to help understand what it is you would like to see in the future here in Perry Hall.

There were several major themes. Those who care about Perry Hall want a new middle and high school as well as more grocery store options. They want the community to be accessible for pedestrians and cyclists. They want more restaurants, and they do not want more pharmacies.

Here is a summary of what you and your neighbors were saying.

Another high school and a middle school are needed, according to Perry Hall Patch readers.

Currently, a new elementary school is being constructed that will open in fall 2018 to ease overcrowding for the county's youngest students. The $49 million school will have 725 seats.

The county is budgeting for two new high schools, one in Towson and another in a to-be-determined location. An assessment of high school capacity needs is being conducted before a site is selected, to identify where it is most needed; that study should be completed by September 2018, according to Councilman David Marks, whose district includes Perry Hall.

• New Northeast High School To Be Included In Baltimore County Budget: Kamenetz
• Marks, Henn: Budget Funds Planning for Two High Schools
• New Perry Hall Elementary School Breaks Ground
• Marks: First of Three New Northeastern Schools Under Construction

Another big demand: sidewalks and connectivity for those trying to get around other than by car.

"Walking, jogging or biking on Honeygo Blvd sidewalks feels like you are on the shoulder of I-95," one reader said, " with cars flying by at highway speeds right next to you."

There were more than 40 likes for a suggestion about a pedestrian bridge from the White Marsh Mall to The Avenue.

What do you think about this idea? Tell us in the comments!

Another reader suggested a bike trail from Perry Hall to the White Marsh Mall with a bridge over Route 43 that cyclists and pedestrians could use.

To handle traffic, one reader said Perry Hall has a need for "a new and improved Belair Road."

"No more tolls" was another request, as was a lake surrounded by a paved walkway with benches.

Now for the food. Readers wanted to see a new grocery store added to the mix, plus some restaurants and businesses as well in Perry Hall.

Here's what your neighbors were requesting:

Another grocery store

Wegmans, Harris Teeter, ShopRite, Trader Joe's, someplace locally owned like Geresbeck's, Amish market and Whole Foods were among the requests.

Vacancies gone from shopping centers:

"...get these vacant Shopping Centers leased up," one reader commented. "Leaving them vacant is just an eyesore & is bringing down property value. Perry Hall Shopping Center has certain units vacant for 20 years, It is not okay. As a community, we can do better."

Some had ideas for filling the vacancies with experiential activities or other businesses.

"We need a good gun range," one commenter said. "With burglaries and armed robberies escalating we need to make sure our citizens can properly protect themselves."

Other suggested putting in a youth training facility for sports or a Motocross track.

As for specific locations in need of occupancy, one reader mentioned the old Gino's and the former Mars. She suggested a "healthy" fast food place or a bank for Gino's and an indoor paintball or laser venue tag for Mars.

New restaurants, more types of cuisine:

• Atwaters
• Vacarro's
• Coffee shop, bagel shop, bakery with bread
• Microbrewery
• More kid-friendly restaurants
• Fast-casual restaurants
• Locally owned restaurants
• Authentic Chinese
• Mexican restaurant
• Peruvian chicken
• Thai restaurant
• Vegetarian restaurant
• Juice bar, specifically Tropical Smoothie, Jamba Juice or Pure Raw Juice
• Baja Fresh
• Baltimore Coffee and Tea
• Bonchon Chicken
• Boston Market
• Cheesecake Factory
• Cracker Barrel
• Nando Peri Peri
• Panera
• Poke Bowl
• Primanti Bros.
• Sonic
• TH Bagels
• Tijuana Flats
• Tim Hortons
• Tom and Chee
• Village Sub Shop
• Wawa

Stores and services:

• Better Dollar Tree
• Dry bar hair salon
• Fotomat
• Home Goods
• Kirklands
• Kohl's

Back to the question at hand: "What is one thing you think Perry Hall is missing?"

Several readers said what they would like is a whole lot of nothing with responses such as "Vacant land! Stop building these overpriced, cookie cutter houses in an already cluttered, overcrowded area" and "SPACE!"

Others suggested more parks and a farm.

What is not needed? "No more CVS, cleaners, gas stations or nail salons," one person said.

While many residents suggested room for improvement in Perry Hall, there were also those who expressed gratitude for things that Perry Hall does have, such as firefighters and an Indian restaurant.

And one old-timer summed up her perspective as a long-term Perry Hall resident in this way: "Perry Hall needs nothing more added. I lived there from birth to the late 50s. My grandparents on both sides lived there all their lives. Then, we knew everybody from Perry Hall to White Marsh to Kingsville to Joppa. Most were country people who grew their own food and raised their own meat. I wish things could be as back then, but, it never will be."

Along those lines, one person said that what Perry Hall needed was "Berg's Dairy Farm," a nod to Perry Hall's agricultural heritage. The farm used to be on Belair at Joppa roads.

Patch file photo.