The driver of a Toyota Paseo was listed in critical condition March 24 after police said he failed to stop for a police car and drove over a median into the northbound lane of Route 29 in Columbia where he was struck by an oncoming car.

The collision occurred at about 2:40 p.m. when a police officer in an unmarked vehicle tried to pull over the car, which was traveling erratically in the southbound lane of Route 29 near Broken Land Parkway, police said.

The driver sped away from the police vehicle and drove his car over the median where it was struck on the passenger side by a Toyota Camry traveling in the northbound lane, police said.

Both the driver of the Camry, Joshua Jacobs, 39, of Baltimore, and the driver of the Paseo were transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

Police said on March 26 they had not identified the driver of the Paseo. Jacobs was listed stable condition March 24.

A spokeswoman for The University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center did not return a call seeking comment.

Charges are pending in the investigation, said Pfc. Bryce Buell, a police spokesman.

-- Mike Santa Rita

Public forum to focus on downtown plan

The president of a national environmental restoration firm working on a storm water management plan for downtown Columbia is scheduled to meet with residents at an April 2 forum.

Keith Bowers, the president and founder of Biohabitats Inc., is scheduled to introduce his firm to the community, discuss its contribution to an emerging master plan to guide downtown's Columbia's redevelopment over the next 30 years, and take suggestions from residents during the forum.

The event is planned for Wednesday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. in the General Growth Properties Inc. headquarters building, at 10275 Little Patuxent Parkway in downtown Columbia.

Officials of General Growth, the predominant property owner in downtown Columbia, are set to release a master plan for Town Center's redevelopment on April 28. Biohabitats is one of several firms General Growth has hired to help draft he plan.

The firm is creating a storm water management plan for downtown that would determine ways to prevent storm water from eroding stream banks and carrying pollution into waterways.

The forum is the third of four Chicago-based General Growth is holding to introduce members of the team it has hired to draft its downtown plan, which is expected to propose new residential and commercial development, suggest ways to make downtown more friendly to pedestrians, and improve public transportation.

For more information about the forums visit www.columbiatowncenter.info.

In a separate event, the Columbia Association board of directors is slated to meet with General Growth officials on April 3 at 7:30 p.m., to discuss how the plan will affect CA's downtown properties, including Lake Kittamaqundi and Symphony Woods, near Merriweather Post Pavilion.

The meeting, which is open to the public, will be held in General Growth's headquarters.

-- Andrei Blakely

Housing fair to feature purchase, rental lottery

Howard County's Department of Housing and Community Development will hold a housing fair April 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Long Reach High School, 6101 Old Dobbin Lane in Columbia.

The free event is intended to provide information about affordable home ownership and rental opportunities in the county. Real estate agents, mortgage lenders and housing specialists will be available to answer questions.

County officials also will conduct four housing lottery drawings at the fair, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The winners of three of the drawings will be offered an opportunity to purchase a house at a reduced price, and the winner of the fourth will be offered an opportunity to rent a house at a reduced rent. Contestants must be present to win.

To enter the lottery, applicants must qualify by completing an entry form, which includes information about applicants' income, financial assets and household size. Lottery entries will be accepted up to noon on the day of the fair.

For a lottery application or more information about the fair, call the housing department at 410-313-6318 or go to the Web site www.comehometohowardcounty.org.

-- Jennifer Broadwater