Local bloggers Tom Coale and Paul Skalny say Dennis Lane was known as the “godfather” of the blogosphere throughout Columbia and Ellicott City.

Before his death in May 2013, Lane's blog, Tales of Two Cities, covered hot-button issues other residents wouldn't openly discuss, they said, including his support of the controversial Inner Arbor park proposal for Symphony Woods as well as other development in downtown Columbia. The plan outlines attractions to be constructed across the 16.5 acres north of Merriweather Post Pavilion, including the new Chrysalis amphitheater, which is underway.

His voice provided a perspective that is missed, Coale said, but will be honored when a street is dedicated in his name at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Wednesday.

Ian Kennedy, executive director of the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission, said Howard Hughes Corp. and Merriweather officials began talks of a formal memorial dedication shortly after Lane he was killed.

Jason Anthony Bulmer pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the case and was sentenced to 30 years in prison in 2014, while Lane's daughter, Morgan Lane Arnold, who was charged as an adult, also pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and was sentenced in January to 30 years. Kennedy said the road behind Merriweather Post, often referred to as Staff Drive, will be renamed Dennis Lane, connecting to Merriweather Drive.

“Like any true Columbian, Merriweather was hugely important to him,” Kennedy said. “Some of the defining experiences of his life, as he told me and wrote many times, were at Merriweather. He worked there a lot when he was younger and recognized the importance of Merriweather as a defining institution for the Columbia community.”

Although he did not move to Columbia until after Lane's death, Greg Fitchitt, Howard Hughes' vice president of development, said he immediately recognized the 58-year-old blogger's influence in the community. For example, Fitchitt said, Lane was an advocate for the 2010 Downtown Columbia Plan, which outlines future projects in the area and maintains the vision of founder Jim Rouse.

“It involved hundreds and hundreds of people, hundreds and hundreds of meetings to bring this vision all the way to the point where it was approved by the council,” Fitchitt said. “I know Dennis was very much one of the leaders of that effort. He was really a great organizing force and outgoing guy who really touched a lot of people.”

Shortly after the plan was passed, Fitchitt said, Howard Hughes sought the county's approval to dedicate a street in Lane's name.

The Columbia plan was one of the many topics discussed on Lane's podcast, “And Then There's That …” which he co-hosted with Skalny. Every Friday, Skalny said, the two “political junkies” talked about the political landscape, development and public figures. Guests included local leaders such as Merriweather general manager Jean Parker amd state officials such as former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

“He and I liked dabbling in that sandbox,” Skalny said. “We got very close through that whole process.”

The podcast ended with Lane's death, Skalny said.

When his voice wasn't heard by podcast listeners, Coale said, Lane served as a leader in the blogging community. Each post explained ongoing community issues to its readers, all from Lane's point of view. Lane also shared the work of other bloggers.

“I think he set the tone for the conversation across the entire county,” Coale said, who writes the HoCoRising blog.

“He treated Merriweather as some form of a temple,” he said.

“It's so fulfilling to see, and I also just think of him and how surprised and amazed he would be.

“I think this is another way of remembering Dennis and a way of creating a long-term legacy,” Skalny added. “It exists in a place in Columbia that was close to the heart of where Dennis was.”