Sit Down with Miriam Bader – College Park’s Planning Director
The College Park Community Preservation Trust Advisory Committee, a program of the Partnership, is comprised of leaders, residents, and City/University employees. Though they are unified in their commitment to our community, each has a unique perspective on what makes College Park a great place to live, work, learn and visit.
In 2023, Miriam Bader was promoted to become the Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of College Park and selected to join the Trust Advisory Committee. This month, Executive Director of the Trust Daniel Cunningham sat down with Miriam to learn more about her experience, her perspective on College Park at present, and her vision for its future*.
Daniel Cunningham (DC): Miriam, tell us about your background and how you came to be a planner in College Park.
Miriam Bader (MB): Ever since I was in high school in suburban Chicago, I knew I wanted to be a city planner. My grandparents have Jewish heritage and immigrated to Illinois by way of Eastern Europe. Inspired by my families’ stories of their pursuit of a better life in America, I wanted a career that would allow me to work to improve people’s lives in cities.
After studying Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois, I decided to pursue a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning with a focus specifically on ‘Smart Growth’, a contemporary approach to planning and development. I began my studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, continued them at the University of Wisconsin, and completed them at Auburn University.
My grandparents have Jewish heritage and immigrated by way of Eastern Europe. Inspired by my families’ stories of their pursuit of a better life in America, I wanted a career that would allow me to work to improve people’s lives in cities.
Miriam Bader, Planning Director, City of College Park
Over the course of my career, I’ve worked in several university towns and really got to explore town-gown planning issues. Over the years, I have worked in:
- Auburn, Alabama
- Athens, Georgia
- Maine (circuit planner for Several small towns)
- Plymouth, New Hampshire
- Fairfax, Virginia, and, finally,
- College Park, Maryland (since 2012)
DC: What should residents know about the City’s approach to planning?
MB: As an urban planner, I often consider what elements an ‘ideal’ city would entail –
there is a common consensus among planners and researchers a ‘15 minute city’ – a city in which most daily necessities and services, such as work, shopping, education, healthcare, and leisure can be easily reached by a 15-minute walk, bike ride, or public transit ride from any point in the city – as the ideal. College Park is an ideal size population wise to put this concept into practice; I aspire to make the city walkable and bikeable for virtually all of your needs. We [The City] are working on biker and pedestrian safety and access and age-friendly communities. We worked to ensure College Park has several grocer options; we are proud to have Lidl and Trader Joe’s since I began working at the City in 2012. Years from now, I hope people will experience College Park as a place where there are several transportation options, including the Purple Line, to get from one part of the city to another, where neighborhoods have local retail, and where the city offers its residents a generally high quality of life!
DC: As a member of the Community Preservation Trust Advisory Committee, can you talk about your experiences there?
MB: I think it is a great initiative that will help to stabilize neighborhoods, while bringing more affordable housing and helping some properties transition from rental to owner-occupied housing!
DC: This seems like a great place to finish. Thank you so much, Miriam!
MB: You are welcome!
Editor’s Note*: Please note the interview and its comments have been edited for presentation to our readers.