Baltimore Development News 13 [Archive]

StevenW

April 11th, 2006, 11:56 PM

Six developers pitch city on 'Gateway' project
Baltimore Business Journal - 2:45 PM EDT Tuesday
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Six development teams, including one backed by Baltimore Ravens player Ray Lewis, are interested in redeveloping an 11-acre, waterfront site on the Middle Branch of the Patapsco River in the southwest section of the city.

The responses followed a request for qualifications, issued by the Baltimore Development Corp., the city's economic development agency.

The teams include the Benade Group Inc.; Cormony Development LLC, which encompasses Lewis as an equity owner in the project; the Henrietta Corp. led by Baltimore developer Pat Turner; Himmelrich Associates and Doracon Development LLC; Manekin LLC; and Stadium ShoreWalk LLC, a group that lists Banks Contracting Co. as a participant.

Many of the respondents are considered heavy hitters in the development industry and boast proven track records of completed projects. They are sure to heighten the level of competition for the site.

The project area -- known as Gateway South -- is south of M&T Bank Stadium, north of Interstate 295 and I-95 and east of the Carroll Camden Industrial Park.

Although the BDC did not ask for proposals specifically, the organization is seeking a medium- to high-density, mixed-use project that will anchor the east side of the Carroll Camden area. The west side has been steadied by Montgomery Park Business Center, a 1.3 million-square-foot project redeveloped by Himmelrich.

Within the next three months, the respondents will be invited to make a presentation to the BDC, highlighting their visions for the site.

Then, the agency will create a "short list'' of candidates, who will be allowed to respond to a request for proposals, said Joann Logan, a spokeswoman for BDC. A winning developer will be selected within 90 days of the release of the request for proposals.

StevenW

April 11th, 2006, 11:59 PM

Hey chris. Yes, I have been a lurker more than a poster. Busy with the kid etc. I wonder if any of the philadelphians can pick this spot out. Its an easy one.

http://www.pbase.com/image/58502106.jpg

There is a dedication planned later this month I think. Google "friends of riverside park" and see if there is a contact person on that website. They will be inviting Leone's (Namesake of the park) widow to attend. She has been in the loop for the entire redesign of the entranct. It looks great. One of the active members' dad is a furniture deigner/maker and he crafted it.
Cute kid you have there, Jeff! :D
I understand. This is a great time for you and your wife. Although we all do enjoy your posts, I know you're having a ball! :)

SoBoChris

April 12th, 2006, 12:05 AM

Hey chris. Yes, I have been a lurker more than a poster. Busy with the kid etc. I wonder if any of the philadelphians can pick this spot out. Its an easy one.

http://www.pbase.com/image/58502106.jpg

There is a dedication planned later this month I think. Google "friends of riverside park" and see if there is a contact person on that website. They will be inviting Leone's (Namesake of the park) widow to attend. She has been in the loop for the entire redesign of the entranct. It looks great. One of the active members' dad is a furniture deigner/maker and he crafted it.

That's great Jeff! Dominic Leone was my Great-Uncle. I'm glad my Aunt Shirley is going to be there. I know she'll really enjoy that.

BTW, cute kid!!

StevenW

April 12th, 2006, 12:06 AM

http://www.pfarc.com/images/66615/03.jpg
Would this be a good place for a new arena, I wonder? :?

DCKenny

April 12th, 2006, 02:23 AM

Is Baltimore making a new sports arena?

StevenW

April 12th, 2006, 05:04 AM

^^ Not yet. There has been talk about it a long time ago.

jaysonjaz

April 12th, 2006, 05:41 AM

jaysonjaz

April 12th, 2006, 05:42 AM

http://www.pfarc.com/images/66615/03.jpg
Would this be a good place for a new arena, I wonder? :?

Isnt that where Ravens stadium is? That looks like Camden Yards right behind it

jaysonjaz

April 12th, 2006, 05:43 AM

Interest high in Pigtown renewal
2 dilapidated blocks draw 8 proposals
By Lorraine Mirabella
Sun reporter
Originally published April 11, 2006

Seven development teams are vying to revitalize two dilapidated blocks of Pigtown's main commercial district in Southwest Baltimore, signaling strong interest from developers and investors in the rebounding neighborhood.

The Baltimore Development Corp. said yesterday that it has received eight proposals, including two from one developer, to redevelop portions of the 700 and 900 blocks of Washington Blvd. for a mix of retail outlets and offices and either apartments or condominiums.

The two projects would represent one of the biggest commercial redevelopment projects in a neighborhood in transition, where home prices have been appreciating as new homes have been built and older ones rehabbed.

"We're hoping at a minimum to eliminate the blight influences that have existed for many years, but we're setting the bar higher and would like to see a mix of retail and residential or office," said Andrew B. Frank, executive vice president of the BDC, the city's development arm.

The city is moving to acquire the properties, including nine vacant buildings and one lot. The development agency plans to close on the first two properties in several weeks, Frank said. The BDC had issued requests for proposals in early February and plans to select developers within two to three months, Frank said.

Proposals for five properties from 925 to 937 Washington Blvd. seek to build street-level shops with either office space, apartments or condos on the upper floors.

Developers have similar plans for the rest of the properties in the 700 block, from 761 to 767 Washington Blvd., and around the corner at 760 Eislen St.

Several developers who submitted plans said they were drawn to the opportunities of a neighborhood increasingly seen as an affordable alternative to Canton or Federal Hill, one that's close to downtown, public transit and major highways.

Developers said they expect new housing to appeal to students, Washington commuters and people who have been priced out of other areas of the city. "We see a lot of promise there from the next 12 months to five years," said Kirsten Brecht, a managing partner for New City Partners of Baltimore.

"The key to neighborhood development is a combination of residential and commercial development," Brecht said.

New City's $2.2 million proposal for the 700 block of Washington Blvd. possibly includes a street-level restaurant and eight housing units (either for rent or for sale) on the upper floors. Brecht said the plan calls for gutting the interiors but preserving as much of the exteriors as possible.

Tristan O'Connell, the project leader for Historic Pigtown Development LLC, said his team's proposal for street-level shops, second-floor offices and second- and third-floor apartments could help stimulate additional development.

"We don't want to see Pigtown turn into Canton where people come in and bastardize the historic appeal of the community," said O'Connell, a tax credit consultant on historic properties. "This corner is an extremely important corner from an historic standpoint."

He said he and one of his partners already own two properties adjacent to the properties the city is seeking to acquire. Historic Pigtown Development's proposal would incorporate them into a project that would restore former storefronts with a 3,000-square-foot restaurant and additional retail outlets.

The project would also include artists' lofts atop art studio space, about 2,000 square feet of office space and seven apartments.

Rebecca Murphy Jones, development associate with Savannah Development, which has proposals for both blocks, said the projects fit with her company's philosophy of focusing on community development and revitalization.

Savannah's plans call for about 20,000 square feet of street-level shops or restaurants and about nine condo units in the 900 block of Washington Blvd. and a similar mix in the 700 block, with about 10 condos.

"Washington Village [Pigtown] is on the way up," she said. "it certainly is transitioning, but it is trending extremely positively. Property values are up. There's a lot more development there. It's been discovered."

Other bids for the 900 block came from Marc and Patrice Smith and Okoro Development Co.

For the 700 block, other bids came from Bmore Project LLC, led by John Cason, and French Development Co.

lorraine.mirabella@baltsun.com

southbalto

April 12th, 2006, 05:58 AM

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c11/mturner125/DSC02330.jpg

a blurry view of the vue............

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c11/mturner125/DSC02319.jpg
west shore park

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c11/mturner125/DSC02317.jpg
again

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c11/mturner125/DSC02315.jpg
one more time...

southbalto

April 12th, 2006, 05:59 AM

they are now putting down compost/dirt. Landscaping will begin soon!

DCKenny

April 12th, 2006, 08:31 AM

What projects are they building in the downtown area?

micrip

April 12th, 2006, 09:57 AM

they are now putting down compost/dirt. Landscaping will begin soon!
They'd better hurry...the boats are on the way!!!

This park is going to be great...about 20 years overdue, too. Just hope they can keep the panhandlers out of there.

StevenW

April 12th, 2006, 11:36 AM

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c11/mturner125/DSC02330.jpg
Cool! Thanks for the updates. :)

StevenW

April 12th, 2006, 11:58 AM

http://www.examiner.com/images/newsroom/waterfront_condos.jpg

:D

Hood

April 12th, 2006, 01:32 PM

You bet. Pat's, which was way better than Ginos. Fun day and thank you for the compliments. We plan on sticking around the City. the schools are supposed to be getting better, so I'll have to look into that. Chris, that is very cool that your great uncle was Dominic Leone. Your aunt shirly has not been to the see the sign yet according to my friend who heads up friends of riverside park. But my friend said she is planning on taking her over to see it soon. It really looks great. I'll try to get a picture. I know its not a 100,000,000 developments, but it an improvement that was funded, designed, created and installed by neighbors. An investment of time and private money. So great. That is how the city will get better. BTW, great urbanite magazine this month. Pick one up.

JAB323

April 12th, 2006, 01:39 PM

Isn't there a guy in BCPS on here. What does he have to say about the schools?

seanlax5

April 12th, 2006, 04:37 PM

Gsol

April 12th, 2006, 05:03 PM

Wht do you want to know, BCPS is a mess. People who can barely even speak english are teaching some classes (my spanish teacher) some don't get paid what they should. Library books are falling apart, I don't even use mine. Computers are ok, some still have Windows 98, but most at my school have XP or 2000. None have Me. Teachers must buy their own computer unless thay have special permission or are good. What do you want to know? Classes, quality, busses, Whatever.

Seanlax: What school do you attend? What is a typical school day like? Is there order in the classroom? Are kids willing to learn? Do they have any ambition? Do some teachers motivate students? Is headquarters listening to students as to their recommendations for improvement?

Perhaps you can give us a perspective from inside the classroom. No one seems to ask the students.

Hood

April 12th, 2006, 06:04 PM

I’d like to know about the charter schools and the ingenuity program. Federal Hill Elementary is very close to me. Thomas Johnson would be my geographical school, which I heard is a good school. K-8 is what I am worried about for now. I’ll see what HS brings, but I am hoping that if my son stays in the system, Poly will be a doable option if its worthwhile. I am very confident that my son will be good in school because he has 2 parents who value education. I think that is the key as long as the other students in the school have parents who feel the same way.

waj0527

April 12th, 2006, 06:58 PM

Ingenuity is a good program but isnt as widely recognized or as prestigious as some other secondary programs. I know high school is YEARS away for your kid Jeff, but give City College a look. It offers the International Baccalaureate program which allows kids to study the higher level applied sciences, while getting the English, Foreign Language, History, etc at an equally high level. Plus IB is much more widely recognized and is more prestigous than Ingenuity.

MasonsInquiries

April 12th, 2006, 07:08 PM

Seanlax: What school do you attend? What is a typical school day like? Is there order in the classroom? Are kids willing to learn? Do they have any ambition? Do some teachers motivate students? Is headquarters listening to students as to their recommendations for improvement?

Perhaps you can give us a perspective from inside the classroom. No one seems to ask the students.
well, i can give an insight if it'll help. i teach at southwestern h.s. off of frederick avenue and it is indeed (like sean said) a mess. for every 3 kids that want to learn, you have another 15 that are unmotivated to even want to give the slightest effort to want to learn. the kids don't respect authority (however, i blame their parents for that) and the ambition isn't there nor do many of these children see ANY type of plan for the future (i also blame the parents for that). Being a teacher in today's inner city BCPSS is a freightening thought; i say that it's "freightening" because it's an extremely scary thought knowing that the next generation coming up behind these guys could be 10 times worse. but on the flip side, it's not ALL bad. there are a few that have that drive to want to learn. As far as the teachers, i sometimes feel that i can preach the importance of a good education as often as they need to hear it and alot of them still wouldn't get the message. The headquarters aren't listening to the students at all. The schools and the books are falling apart; it's is a big mess.

the BCPSS doesn't realize this yet, but when they close eight city schools this summer for good (southwestern being one of them), it's going to be the most chaotic situation come next school year and the BCPSS isn't hardly ready for it. i can honestly say that as far as teaching in baltimore city, this is it for me. i'm done. there's no structure as far as anything (no security, no safety, no support).

seanlax5

April 12th, 2006, 07:40 PM

I agree, there is no stability. I am using one of the science room's computers.
Baltimore's schools are terrible. I'll answer some of your questions.

1)What school do you attend? Northern High

2)What is a typical school day like? It depends on the school, I have 8 periods a day.

3)Are kids willing to learn? Some at my school, but other schools are still a problem.

4)Do some teachers motivate students? Yes, a lot. Students are constantly in guidance and things like that. However our odds are much better than Mason Inquires' school. His is rough!

5)I know high school is YEARS away for your kid Jeff. Well, start planning for a private school, that is what my parents didn't do. All the norht baltimore schools are good, for the most part. The rest are very bad/corrupt. Taht is why we live in the north part of the city

vivo

April 12th, 2006, 08:24 PM

Wht do you want to know, BCPS is a mess. People who can barely even speak english are teaching some classes (my spanish teacher) some don't get paid what they should. Library books are falling apart, I don't even use mine. Computers are ok, some still have Windows 98, but most at my school have XP or 2000. None have Me. Teachers must buy their own computer unless thay have special permission or are good. What do you want to know? Classes, quality, busses, Whatever.
haha people that can barely teach englis teach college. i went to college park and my game theory (economics) prof who was korean was not understandable. i think it was his first year. some people went to the TA's office hrs(who was indian) although at least in college at least students are expected to learn on their own. in primary and secondary schools the teachers should be good at teaching!!!

vivo

April 12th, 2006, 09:41 PM

StevenW

April 12th, 2006, 11:59 PM

School board approves budget
Plan includes $22 million for struggling facilities; successful sites wary of losing staff
By Sara Neufeld
sun reporter
Originally published April 12, 2006
The lowest-performing schools in Baltimore - including the 11 that were targeted by the state for takeovers - will receive $22 million for lower class sizes, teacher mentors and other reforms, under a budget proposal for the coming school year approved by the city school board last night.

The $1.1 billion budget includes $42 million to cover salary increases for nearly all school system employees, including a 5 percent raise for teachers and paraprofessionals.

The $22 million will go to the city's 54 lowest-performing schools. The state school board voted last month to order outside takeovers of 11 of those schools, but the General Assembly imposed a one-year moratorium on the action.

While the budget represents a 7 percent, or $78 million, increase in funding for city schools, principals of some successful elementary schools have said they stand to lose staff as the system puts more resources into failing schools.

School board Chairman Brian D. Morris issued a statement Sunday night saying the system is not taking resources away from successful schools to fund failing ones. But since then, more principals have come forward to say they are facing cuts.

Irma Johnson, principal of Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary School, said she is slated to lose two classroom teachers next school year, even though her enrollment is not projected to decline. She said she was given no explanation for the cut. If it stands, she said, she will be forced to increase average class sizes from 24 to 28 children.

School board member Kalman R. "Buzzy" Hettleman said last night, "We are not taking money away from successful schools. ... The money that goes to low-performing schools is above and beyond money that goes to all schools."

The school system has not made public its planned staffing allocations for individual schools. Staff is allocated based on a complex formula designating a certain number of teachers for a given number of students. Officials have said the staffing allocations would change after the approval of the budget.

A group of parents, staff and pupils from New Song Academy spoke at last night's school board meeting, appealing unsuccessfully for more money for the West Baltimore school, which runs independently and has produced high tests scores among some of the city's poorest children. The school's principal has been raising $500,000 a year to keep New Song operating, but she says that pace is impossible to sustain.

Board members told New Song supporters that it would be unfair to give their school more public dollars than others. Member Diane Bell McKoy said she would be happy to help the school continue its private fundraising.

It was unclear last night how the system's budget would be affected by a long list of reforms ordered by the state school board last month, including the implementation of a proven curriculum in core subjects in city middle and high schools.

The start of the new school year July 1 will mark the first time in seven years that the system has operated without a deficit. The budget assumes that the school system's enrollment will continue to decline next year to about 84,000 students, down from 85,000 enrolled this year and 110,000 a decade ago.

Two-thirds of the school system's budget comes from the state. Another 19 percent comes from the city, while 11 percent comes from the federal government and 3 percent comes from other sources. Seventy percent of the budget is spent on salaries and benefits.

The budget will now be sent to Mayor Martin O'Malley and the City Council for final approval.

sara.neufeld@baltsun.com

StevenW

April 13th, 2006, 12:00 AM

With state plans at bay, city acts to save schools
Officials move quickly after winning back control in legislature
By Sara Neufeld
Sun reporter
Originally published April 12, 2006
A day after they won the battle to maintain authority over 11 failing schools, Baltimore officials unveiled a plan yesterday to exert more control over those schools and to attract talented principals to some of them with financial incentives.

The 11 schools that were slated for outside takeovers will now report directly to Chief Executive Officer Bonnie S. Copeland's senior staff, who will visit the schools weekly. The system will offer financial incentives to its best principals to work in the seven middle schools that were on the takeover list.

And it will proceed with plans to break up Frederick Douglass, Northwestern and Patterson high schools, while closing Southwestern High No. 412 by 2007 and Dr. Roland N. Patterson Sr. Academy by 2008.

"There is no time to celebrate," city school board Chairman Brian D. Morris said after the Senate's vote Monday to override Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s veto of a bill imposing a one-year moratorium on takeovers of 11 schools. "The only thing that counts will be how well and how quickly we achieve our academic goals and restore public confidence in our ability to enable our students to achieve academically."

In addition to the reforms the system is initiating on its own, it still must comply with a long list of other state-ordered reforms, from finding a new curriculum to evaluating and possibly firing a number of administrators.

If nine schools don't show adequate progress on state tests given last month, the city system must be prepared to make immediate and drastic changes, such as requiring all the schools' staff to reapply for their jobs.

By the time students return to class in late August, the system must develop individual plans for all those at risk of failing the state exams they must pass to graduate. It must write separate plans for each student with chronic misbehavior.

Meanwhile, state Superintendent Nancy S. Grasmick said she is researching whether the federal No Child Left Behind Act supersedes the state legislation that overturned the takeovers. The answer, she said, will set a precedent for the nation because Maryland was the first state to use its authority under No Child Left Behind to attempt a takeover of failing schools.

"We really have to probe what does this mean, not only for the state but for the nation," she said.

Ehrlich went further, saying at a news conference yesterday, "I am not going to accept this result." He called the blocking of the takeovers "disgusting" and "disgraceful" and said the test scores at the 11 schools - where pass rates are often in the single digits - are "beyond failure."

Grasmick said the legislation threatens the entire state school accountability program. She said she also is researching whether it jeopardizes Maryland's federal education funding and compliance with the federal law.

Federal officials said yesterday that it's too soon to comment.

The state school board voted last month to impose a variety of reforms on the city schools as a result of chronically low test scores. No Child Left Behind requires states to impose structural reforms on failing school systems. Baltimore is the only system in Maryland to receive such intervention.

The reform that generated the most attention was one requiring an outside takeover of seven middle schools and four high schools. But the other state board orders will stand.

By the next academic year, the school system must implement a curriculum currently being used in a successful neighboring county - likely Anne Arundel or Howard - in middle and high school core subjects.

By June, the system must evaluate its eight "area academic officers," administrators who oversee groups of schools, and fire those deemed responsible for low student achievement. Under the plan the system released yesterday, the 11 schools that were slated for takeover will no longer report to area academic officers, but rather will report to Copeland and her senior staff directly.

Nine other city schools will be required under No Child Left Behind to restructure if they do not show adequate progress on this year's state tests. Students took the tests last month, but results are not yet available.

The school system was already planning to require all staff members at two of those schools, Canton Middle and Thomas G. Hayes Elementary, to reapply for their jobs.

But at the other seven schools, the system was planning to hire "turnaround specialists," the least severe option that No Child Left Behind allows for schools that must restructure.

The state board voted to eliminate that option, requiring more drastic reform at the seven schools: Ashburton/Dr. Nathan A. Pitts Elementary/Middle, Harlem Park Middle, Highlandtown Elementary No. 237, Morrell Park Elementary/Middle, Robert Poole Middle, Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy and Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts.

Harlem Park and Robert Poole are scheduled to close by 2008.

The other structural reforms require the system to:

• Hire an outside monitor to evaluate its implementation of instructional reforms through October 2007. The state board voted in December to require the system to hire a monitor, specifying that the person be working by last month. To date, no monitor has been hired.

• Assign case managers to all students with chronic behavior problems by January 2007.

• Develop individual plans for high school students at risk of failing the state exams in English, algebra, biology and government by start of next school year. Starting with the Class of 2009, this year's freshmen, students must pass the exams to graduate.

• Contract with an outside agency, such as the Sheppard Pratt Health System or the Johns Hopkins Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence, to train most city schools in violence prevention.

• Work with the state to develop leadership training for principals at schools with low test scores.

• Hire two school reform experts, selected by the state, to oversee the "turnaround specialists" assigned to work with principals at dozens of low-performing schools. The system has hired turnaround specialists at most of the 54 schools where restructuring has been required.

"There is quite a lot of work to do," Grasmick said.

School system officials said they were already planning many of the reforms that the state ordered, but they cannot fully implement a new curriculum in all middle and high schools in the next four months.

Last year, the school board did not vote until July to implement the controversial Studio Course language arts curriculum in middle schools the next month. Copeland announced in February that she would replace Studio as the primary language arts curriculum, after a scathing report from a review panel.

At the 11 schools that were targeted for takeover, the system will be on its own for the next year to design and implement reforms.

"We'll be eager to see what the city school system does," Grasmick said. "I hope that the good thing coming out of this is that it has placed a spotlight on the issue of students not receiving an adequate education. We can't hide it. It has to be discussed, and there have to be remedies."

The schools are among 54 in the city that are scheduled to receive an extra $22 million next school year for reforms including reducing class sizes and hiring more teacher mentors.

Officials said they do not yet know how much money they will offer to attract high-quality principals to the seven middle schools. In general, the system is steering children away from middle schools as it plans to convert dozens of elementary schools to serve pupils through eighth grade.

Officials also said several area colleges and universities have expressed interest in working with the 11 schools.

Prior to the takeover attempt, a group headed by Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele was meeting about a proposal to turn the management of Douglass over to Coppin State University. Bryon Johnston, a spokesman for Steele, said yesterday that discussions with state and local representatives are continuing.

sara.neufeld@baltsun.com

StevenW

April 13th, 2006, 12:02 AM

Baltimore turns the other cheek for Oprah
By Lynn Anderson
Sun reporter
Originally published April 12, 2006
Baltimore still loves Oprah, even after the popular talk-show host denounced the city school system as an "atrocity" at a fundraising event Monday and opined on local TV that making a charitable donation to public schools would be a waste of good money.

"Everybody likes Oprah," said Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley of Winfrey, who cut her broadcasting teeth at WJZ-TV in Baltimore from 1978 to 1983 and whose daytime talk show is syndicated to 215 domestic markets and 121 countries.

Winfrey came to town to attend a fundraising event to benefit the Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School. During her speech before an audience of 2,400 at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Winfrey said that the high school dropout rate for black males in the city was "76 percent," but state education officials said yesterday that the number is closer to 50 percent.

At last night's city school board meeting, a discussion of the budget was punctuated by talk about Winfrey. Anirban Basu suggested that the school system print a booklet with accurate information students' performance.

Of Winfrey's statement about the dropout rate, he said: "We need to be the Dr. Phil and counter that with the facts." Schools Chief Executive Officer Bonnie S. Copeland said the system's graduation rate has improved from 42 percent to 59 percent over the past decade.

During her brief visit, Winfrey also told WBAL-TV reporter Deborah Weiner that she had thought about donating money to the city school system but changed her mind because she didn't think it would make a difference. Winfrey's show airs on WBAL, the local NBC affiliate.

"What I've learned from my philanthropic givings is that unless you can create sustainability, then it's a waste," said Winfrey, whose Angel Network has raised more than $35 million to support charities and offer grants around the world. "You might as well pee it out."

During the WBAL interview, Oprah also stated that she has spoken about Baltimore's struggling school system with leaders around the world.

"I was actually sitting in Nelson Mandela's house telling him about the black male situation here in Baltimore," Winfrey said. "He did not believe me! I know it's easy to ignore, because you think it's East Baltimore and it doesn't have anything to do with your life and you're moving through your life. I just feel a sense of connection to that from which I've come."

Although many city and school officials grumbled about the talk-show host's comments, coming as they did within days of an attempted state takeover of 11 poorly performing city schools, no one criticized her publicly.

"I think she's not aware of the progress that has been made here," said O'Malley. "I'm sure it was not malicious on her part."

The timing of Winfrey's comments raised questions among some school officials.

Winfrey aired the first episode in a two-part series on the troubled state of the nation's schools yesterday. Promotional materials for the series, called "Oprah's Special Report: American Schools in Crisis," include photos of Winfrey with Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, who are using their own billions to improve schools, according to the Oprah Web site.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, along with nine local charities, contributed $20 million to city schools in 2002.

A spokeswoman for Winfrey said the timing of her comments and the airing of the education special were "merely a coincidence," and that Winfrey got her information about the city's dropout rate from the movie Boys of Baraka, a well-received documentary about four boys from Baltimore who were chosen to go to a boarding school in Kenya.

The film notes that 76 percent of black males never graduate, according to a recent article that appeared in The Sun.

Edie House, a spokeswoman for the city school system, said she could not confirm where filmmakers might have gotten the number.

lynn.anderson@baltsun.com

StevenW

April 13th, 2006, 12:17 AM

Development opportunities continue on Baltimore's west side

Baltimore Business Journal - 2:33 PM EDT Wednesday
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The Baltimore Development Corp., the city's economic development agency, is soliciting proposals from developers for seven scattered sites on Baltimore's west side.

The land offered for redevelopment is part of the "Market Center'' urban renewal area and is situated near other revitalized sites. The renewal area is bounded by Cathedral and Liberty streets to the east, Pratt Street to the south and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the north and west.

The redevelopment opportunities include 612 N. Howard St., 313 W. Franklin St., 200 W. Saratoga St., 213 W. Mulberry St., 210 W. Pleasant St., 324 Park Ave. and 121 N. Greene St.

Respondents are asked to submit separate proposals for each property. The deadline for submissions is July 7 at noon.

JAB323

April 13th, 2006, 05:01 AM

MasonsInquiries

April 13th, 2006, 05:49 AM

SoBoChris

April 13th, 2006, 07:17 AM

Which high school on the northern high school campus do you attend? W.E.B. Dubois or Reginald F. Lewis?

I'm curious to know as well. A friend of mine is Northern High class of '83 and as far as she knew, Northern doesn't exist anymore. I'm a Southern boy, with a long history...my great-aunt is 93 and was the first student to enter the 1925 building of the old school (according to her).

NewBaltimore1980

April 13th, 2006, 03:11 PM

I'm curious to know as well. A friend of mine is Northern High class of '83 and as far as she knew, Northern doesn't exist anymore. I'm a Southern boy, with a long history...my great-aunt is 93 and was the first student to enter the 1925 building of the old school (according to her).

All I know is that as soon as I have kids we are packing our bags and heading to Columbia, Bel Air, or Towson (or paying for private school). I would never want my kids exposed to the problems in the city schools and the lack of family values that many kids (unfortunately) are exposed to by reckless parents. A child's education is much too important to risk even giving Baltimore City schools another chance. Even the charter schools, I fear, are too bogged down with the political correctness of the city administration to ever be as successful as they would like to become.

LilMoeJoeJoe

April 13th, 2006, 03:34 PM

International air service is key to a growing metropolitian city like Baltimore.

http://www.northamericanair.com/pressReleases.asp?section=6&sub=3&id=52

southbalto

April 13th, 2006, 03:51 PM

waj0527

April 13th, 2006, 03:53 PM

Park almost ready at Inner Harbor
West Shore site to open with Waterfront Festival
By Edward Gunts
Sun Architecture Critic
Originally published April 13, 2006

It would hardly have seemed possible several weeks ago, judging by the amount of work still to be done, but Baltimore's newest waterfront park is on schedule to open this month.

West Shore Park, under construction between the Maryland Science Center and the wavy-roofed Visitor Center, will be the setting for the Baltimore Waterfront Festival April 27-30.

The event, expected to draw 300,000 people, will mark the first use of the 2.5-acre stretch of shoreline since work began in August on a $2 million reconstruction.

City officials timed the reopening of the park to coincide with the Waterfront Festival because the event provided a firm deadline for contractors and gives Baltimore a chance to show off its newest amenity to a wide audience.

The centerpiece of the festival is the Baltimore-Annapolis leg of the Volvo Ocean Race, a sailing contest that draws participants from around the world. It's also a showcase for exhibitors celebrating the Chesapeake Bay and activities on Baltimore's waterfront.

"We're thrilled that the park is going to have world-class exposure" starting with its first event, said Bill Gilmore, executive director of the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, the agency coordinating the festival.

The park replaces a "temporary" parking lot that had been in operation since Harborplace opened in 1980. Thomas Balsley Associates of New York is the lead designer, with Hord Coplan Macht of Baltimore also on the design team.

Improving the west shore was one of the recommendations made in 2003 by designers hired to update the city's master plan to guide harbor redevelopment. The Baltimore Development Corp. and Department of Recreation and Parks subsequently commissioned Balsley and Hord Coplan Macht to design a flexible gathering place that could be used both as a spot for quiet contemplation and more active uses, such as festivals.

The design called for the elimination of a surface parking lot and several small buildings on the western shore. In their place will be a large lawn with unobstructed views of the harbor, Federal Hill and the downtown skyline. The lawn will be about 3 feet above the Inner Harbor promenade, and its eastern edge will include steps that can double as seats facing the harbor's edge. The north, west and south sides of the lawn will be framed by areas with shade trees and flower beds to provide seasonal color. The lawn itself will be slightly irregular in shape, suggesting a degree of informality.

One change is that a one-story building targeted for removal in the Balsley plan has been left in place. It previously housed the city harbormaster's office and a police department substation, both of which have moved to a spot near Rash Field. It now houses the ticket office for Harbor Cruises, a private company that operates the Bay Lady, Lady Baltimore and Prince Charming cruise ships.

In addition, several aspects of the original design have been deferred until money is available, including a bandshell and a fountain with "dancing jets" of water.

According to Tracy Baskerville, a spokeswoman for the Office of Promotion and the Arts, contractors are scheduled to turn the park over to the city on April 21. Public agencies will then have six days to set up tents and prepare other areas for use during the Waterfront Festival. After the festival, contractors will put the final touches on the park. All work is to be complete by the Fourth of July.

West Shore Park is one of several that the city is building or refurbishing in or close to downtown. Others include the new park on Pier 3 that serves as a forecourt to the recently expanded National Aquarium, the Baltimore Immigration Memorial and Liberty Garden planned for Locust Point, the renovation of Center Plaza in Charles Center and a new round of plantings for Hopkins Plaza.

Landscape architect Carol Macht, a principal with Hord Coplan Macht, said she is pleased to see West Shore Park nearing completion and excited about what it will offer.

"It's the front door to the city. That's what's so wonderful about it," she said. "It works well with the visitor center and the science center, in the sense that it isn't traditional looking. The forms are very fresh and simple and strong. There will be myriad places to perch, which I think will be fun. It's going to be great for people-watching."

ed.gunts@baltsun.com

southbalto

April 13th, 2006, 03:55 PM

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-to.park13apr13,0,5299168.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

So they think they can finish up in 15 days........haha good luck. I just hope they don't cut too many corners. None of the walkways have even been poured (i believe they will be concrete).

waj0527

April 13th, 2006, 04:08 PM

business
City seeks bids on west-side properties
By Lorraine Mirabella
Sun reporter
Originally published April 13, 2006

Baltimore development officials hope to give the revitalization of downtown's west side a boost by offering seven mostly vacant properties for redevelopment.

The Baltimore Development Corp. yesterday requested proposals from developers for seven scattered sites in the once-struggling neighborhood. Since the city adopted an urban renewal plan in 1999, the Hippodrome Theater has been refurbished, and private developers have built new and redeveloped apartments, offices and shops.

The first condominiums are under construction in the Rombro Building, a converted garment factory.

The seven sites offered by the city, including six vacant or partially vacant buildings, one vacant lot and a parking lot, all are near planned redevelopment projects or in blocks where new private investment is occurring, said Kathy Robertson, director of the West Side Initiative for the BDC. The timing is right to offer the city-owned properties because of the increase in private investment in the neighborhood, Robertson said.

The city has not issued requests for proposals in the renewal district since 2003, when the city awarded development of the "superblock" at Lexington Street and Park Avenue to a New York-based developer for a mixed-use project.

In yesterday's request, the city said it is seeking proposals to rehab the buildings or construct new buildings for a mix of uses, such as housing, offices or shops, and plans to sell the buildings to developers.

"We don't want to limit the possibilities, but we want to see life on the first floor and that the entire building is renovated," Robertson said. "We want to let the development community determine the marketability of those properties."

The city purchased four of the vacant buildings in separate transactions since 1999 for $898,000, according to the request for proposals. Those include 612 N. Howard St., a vacant three-story building; 121 N. Greene St. , a vacant four-story building; and 324 Park Ave., two adjacent, vacant three-story buildings with fire damage.

The city also purchased two properties through tax sale foreclosures in 2005: 213 W. Mulberry St., a vacant lot, and 210 W. Pleasant St., a parking lot. Appraisals are pending on those properties.

All parcels are part of the Market Center Urban Renewal Area, bounded by Cathedral and Liberty streets to the east, Pratt Street to the south and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to the north and west.

One of the vacant two story buildings, at 313 W. Franklin St., is next to the St. James project, which will be market-rate apartments. A partially vacant, seven-story building at 200 W. Saratoga St. is around the corner from 324 Park Ave.; both are close to private development of shops and offices under way in the 300 block of Park.

Developer bids are due July 7.

lorraine.mirabella@baltsun.com

PeterSmith

April 13th, 2006, 04:08 PM

^^ This is always great news for the region!! From the looks of the article, it seems that Baltimore and New York are the only two cities in all of North America currently with service to anywhere in Africa. I'm not sure how much of an impact this will have, but there certainly will be some. I remember hearing someone say one time, "If you started non-stop service to Hong Kong tomorrow, you can bet you'd see Chinese businesses setting up shop here the day after." I don't know how many businesses from Gambia and Ghana will come here, but I bet a lot of business looking to break into the African market might locate at least a regional headquaters in the vicinty.

Also, I don't know much about Banjul, but the last time I was in London Heathrow, the flights to Accra were packed, probably the second busiest flight after Hong Kong. I'd love to see Baltimore/Washington become a hub for more destinations to Africa.

(Also, I'm surprised there are no direct flights to South Africa. Maybe there areand I just read the article wrong.)

PeterSmith

April 13th, 2006, 04:10 PM

Ah, I did read it wrong. There are direct flights from other cities, just not by US-owned airlines. Oh well, still good news to Baltimore.

waj0527

April 13th, 2006, 04:15 PM

Improved atmosphere sought for waterfront
Guides start today to greet, aid visitors
By June Arney
sun reporter
Originally published April 12, 2006

Starting today, a new team of visitor guides will bring enhanced hospitality services to Baltimore's waterfront - for the benefit of tourists and downtown's growing base of residents.

The Partnership for Baltimore's Waterfront, an organization created last fall to boost the image and atmosphere of the area along the water, is behind the new initiative, which will span the summer tourist season.

"For some, the Inner Harbor is a tourist destination," said Michael D. Hankin, the organization's chairman and president and chief executive of Brown Advisory, an investment management firm. "But, this is opening up the possibility for it ... becoming a centerpiece for the community."

Financed by the city and voluntary agreements with businesses and attractions ringing the harbor from Key Highway to Fells Point, the organization wants to create a permanent Business Improvement District financed by a property tax surcharge, such as one that operates in city center.

State legislation would be required to give the city the authority to add the mandatory surcharge, said Laurie Schwartz, an independent consultant to the waterfront partnership. The city would set the rate.

"Our goal is to have the waterfront guide serve as a welcome face and helpful hand to direct visitors to all the attractions, especially the new ones on the waterfront," she said.

The 16 guides, who will work seven days a week from noon to 8 p.m., were hired under contract from the Downtown Partnership. They will wear uniforms and provide directions and offer restaurant and entertainment suggestions.

Retaining the Downtown Partnership employees enabled the new waterfront organization to get up and running faster than starting from scratch, said Kirby Fowler, president of Downtown Partnership.

"It would take a lot more time for them to create a formal structure and hire employees, but that is what they're working toward," Fowler said.

The waterfront partnership also has contracted with Living Classrooms' Project Serve to help keep the waterfront clean and also will contract with professional landscapers.

The organization was formed in response to a critical 2003 report by the Greater Baltimore Committee that outlined neglect in the Inner Harbor, pointing to problems caused by uncoordinated management, poor maintenance and a lack of standards.

It warned that without some organization taking responsibility for the waterfront, its image would tarnish because the city could not maintain the waterfront to the appropriate standards.

"Things were just moving along without real direction, and there wasn't attention given to this tremendous asset which is a real economic benefit to the city and the region," said Donald C. Fry, GBC president. "I do think this is going to show some real attention to the harbor. There's more work to be done."

Even with a relatively small budget of $1.4 million, a dedicated organization of committed people can make a difference, said Andrew B. Frank, executive vice president at the Baltimore Development Corp., who is Inner Harbor Coordinator and also on the waterfront partnership board.

"I think we assumed the Inner Harbor institutions have been strong enough to carry the Inner Harbor experience on their own," he said. "We don't think they can carry the Inner Harbor any longer. It needs to be a total experience."

The city will contribute about 40 percent of the cost of the waterfront partnership's operation, Frank said.

Among the standards that will be maintained by the organization's team of handymen are trash cans never more than three-quarters full, grass kept trimmed and all areas litter-free.

A change in mood along the waterfront already is visible, Hankin said.

"Compare the number of people who go jogging at 5:30 or 6 [p.m.] from Bond Street to the Rusty Scupper," he said. "Two years ago, it was six. Now at 6 o'clock, you could easily pass 50. It's exciting. It's an area that's thriving."

For businesses, attractions and other development along the water, the current success of the waterfront and its promenade bodes well.

"It makes it easy for people who are selling condos or renting apartments or running restaurants, to attract people," Hankin said.

"It makes it easier for employees to hire people. The health of the area is a huge factor in attracting people to work there. People walk on the promenade, look out at the water and say, 'Wow, I want to be here,"' he said.

"You can tell when people take pride in their area," Frank said. "It's impressive when there are people sweating the details."

june.arney@baltsun.com

wada_guy

April 13th, 2006, 05:05 PM

Developer Requests Rezoning for $200M Multifamily Project
By Barbra Murray
Globe Street
Last updated: April 12, 2006 08:57am

BALTIMORE-KSI Services Inc. has taken a step in the development of an approximately 1,100-unit multifamily community in the city's Greektown neighborhood by pursuing a rezoning request with city officials. The company is seeking to have a 14-acre industrial-zoned parcel, which is currently the site of a trucking terminal, designated as a Residential Planned Unit Development. KSI expects to spend $200 million to realize the apartment, condominium and townhouse endeavor.

The Greektown project will be located on a site bound by Foster Avenue, Oldham, O'Donnell and S. Macon streets in Southeast Baltimore. KSI's development plans are still in the early stages, but preliminary plans call for the construction of two 23-story high-rise condominium towers, two 14-story structures with both condominium and apartment residences, and a selection of four-story stacked townhouses. The property will also feature a sprawling park, as well as a small community retail center. "Not only will it add to Baltimore's charm, but we hope it helps, in some small way, to fuel the city's economic expansion," KSI founder and chairman Robert C. Kettler says of the project.

Both renters and condo buyers continue to keep the multifamily markets booming in the city. "The demand for rental housing remains strong, as new jobs continue to come into the Baltimore area," Delta Associates concludes in its Year-End 2005 Mid-Atlantic Apartment & Condominium Market Report. "These new jobs are coming largely from the education and health sectors, construction, and most importantly, professional and business services, which will be further positively impacted by the recent Base Realignment and Closure announcement." The National Institutes of Health will open its 573,000-sf Biomedical Research Center on the Johns Hopkins Medical Center at Bayview campus in the first quarter of 2007. Additionally, the report notes that at year's end, 78 developers were in the marketing and planning stages for various condominium projects.

$200M Mixed-Use Development Planned for Baltimore's Greektown
Commercial Property News
April 11, 2006
By Gail Kalinoski, Contributing Editor

Anticipating an economic resurgence in Baltimore, KSI Services Inc. is building a $200 million development of more than 1,000 upscale residences and shops on 14 acres of industrial land in the city's Greektown neighborhood.

Christopher LoPiano, KSI's project executive, said today that the Vienna, Va.-based development firm has received rezoning approvals from city officials and will take possession of the site May 31 from the owner who runs a trucking operation there. He said construction should take five to seven years, with the first townhouses expected on the market by late 2007.

"The first work--and fairly substantial amount of work--will all be infrastructure," he told CPN this afternoon, noting that sewer and water pipes, streets and sidewalks need to installed and connected to the surrounding neighborhood.

The project calls for developing a total of 1,085 units with about 900 of them in two, 23-story high-rise condominiums and two 14-story condominium and apartment buildings. There will be 183 units built in townhouses around a 55,000-square-foot park. KSI also plans to build about 6,000 square feet of retail, focusing mainly on restaurants, coffee shops and service businesses like dry cleaners, LoPiano said.

The high-rises will offer views of Baltimore's skyline, the Inner Harbor and Chesapeake Bay. LoPiano said the location is easily accessible to Interstates 895 and 95.

LoPiano added that KSI has "long-term enthusiasm" for the Baltimore market, citing an ongoing expansion by Johns Hopkins University, as well as development at the nearby U.S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Ground. Among the projects planned there is an anti-terrorism training center planned by APG Development Partners for 1,300 acres of the base (see CPN, March 29, 2006).

He expects that KSI, which opened a Baltimore office in July, will be aggressively pursuing other development opportunities. "We think east Baltimore is extremely well situated for a major economic boom in population growth with all of these initiatives coming together," he said.

seanlax5

April 13th, 2006, 05:07 PM

Which high school on the northern high school campus do you attend? W.E.B. Dubois or Reginald F. Lewis?

I doubt you are an internet pred., but there may be some who read this. Since I am a minor, I will no answer who my teachers are, which school on campus I go to (the nice one) or in-depth question like that. Or what # I am on the lax team.I said Northern High BECAUSE there are more than one high school on campus. Waverly, Hampden, HAmilton, and Roland PArk go to our school.

wada_guy

April 13th, 2006, 05:15 PM

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-developmentgraph402,0,6320414.graphic?coll=bal-news-nation

PeterSmith

April 13th, 2006, 05:19 PM

pepperjack

April 13th, 2006, 05:23 PM

The Greektown development is the Hale one, right? He's not mentioned in the article.

edit: i'm a bit slow.

PeterSmith

April 13th, 2006, 05:29 PM

MasonsInquiries

April 13th, 2006, 05:48 PM

All I know is that as soon as I have kids we are packing our bags and heading to Columbia, Bel Air, or Towson (or paying for private school). I would never want my kids exposed to the problems in the city schools and the lack of family values that many kids (unfortunately) are exposed to by reckless parents. A child's education is much too important to risk even giving Baltimore City schools another chance. Even the charter schools, I fear, are too bogged down with the political correctness of the city administration to ever be as successful as they would like to become.
well said, NewBaltimore1980. I agree 100%. Like southbalto said, maybe 5 years will make a difference as far as the future of the BCPSS (and that's a VERY strong "maybe"....lol), but I don't think I want to take that chance.

$200M Mixed-Use Development Planned for Baltimore's Greektown
Commercial Property News
April 11, 2006
By Gail Kalinoski, Contributing Editor

The project calls for developing a total of 1,085 units with about 900 of them in two, 23-story high-rise condominiums and two 14-story condominium and apartment buildings. There will be 183 units built in townhouses around a 55,000-square-foot park. KSI also plans to build about 6,000 square feet of retail, focusing mainly on restaurants, coffee shops and service businesses like dry cleaners, LoPiano said.
wow, two TWENTY-THREE story condos and two FOURTEEN-story condos? that means the project's not going to look anything like their "original" rendering which had four TWELVE-story condos (shown below). Now, I'm extremely anxious to see what this project will look like.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2005-04/16950660.jpg

MasonsInquiries

April 13th, 2006, 05:53 PM

Is this the Ed Hale project or an entirely new project? Either way, it's great news. Greektown is gonna become a highrise neighborhood it seems. That'll be a very cool neighborhood if these projects get built and the redline heads out that way. I would love to see some classical Greek architecture worked into these buildings.
It's THIS project. Well, this was the old renderings, anyway. You'll recognize it once you see it here below. I'm glad to see that this project has gotten much taller. Wow, 23 stories in THAT area. It's truly going to be something special.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2005-04/16950660.jpg
http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/graphic/2005-04/16951637.gif
http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/graphic/2005-04/16952633.gif

MasonsInquiries

April 13th, 2006, 05:55 PM

^^ For some reason, KSI seems like a familiar name. I think they are involved in the Hale project, so this could be the same one. Even if it is though, it's an improvement. Two 23-story towers? That's similar to the Four Seasons.

The Greektown development is the Hale one, right? He's not mentioned in the article.

edit: i'm a bit slow.

Yep, the KSI/Hale greektown project. That's the one!!!!

PeterSmith

April 13th, 2006, 06:10 PM

KSI's website labels them as one of the 20 largest developers in the nation. I'm assuming this means that they come through on their projects, which makes it good news that KSI is the one pushing this development now, and not Ed Hale, not that Hale hasn't come through with his developments, but he certainly doesn't have the resources of KSI.

I'm still curious as to where the demand for living in Greektown is coming from...

jpreston02

April 13th, 2006, 07:27 PM

I'm still curious as to where the demand for living in Greektown is coming from...

My guess, the future demand from the Johns Hopkins biopark as well as the accompanying expansion of the JHU Medical center.

pepperjack

April 13th, 2006, 08:25 PM

That's strange. Weren't there rumors that the city had a problem with the height when it was just the 12 story buildings?

Greektown has a lot going for it. It's literally on top of 895, easy to hop on the highway and head just about anywhere for work. It's a lot more reasonably priced than Canton, and even Highlandtown at this point (this is changing in a hurry, though). But a similar area. Also, there are the two large trucking yards that are two of the largest parcels of land available in the city, i'm sure.

PeterSmith

April 13th, 2006, 08:28 PM

What is currently at the site of this proposal?

BaltimoreDeb

April 13th, 2006, 09:00 PM

What is currently at the site of this proposal?

It's the site of a trucking terminal.

Howdy guys . . . I've been lurking here a while, but finally registered. My husband and I have a rowhouse in Greektown; newly remodeled . . . a second home. We spend the weekends there. The new project is literally 2 blocks from our house, and we've been monitoring it closely.

This is the Hale/KSI project, though my contractor told me that Hale is no longer technically involved. (He's got his ear to the ground, more so than I do).

Thanks for posting the articles about the timeline and possession of the property; I was wondering when that was going to happen.

Here's a link to KSI's press release:

http://www.ketsco.com/news/news-release31.html

I don't know that the project is going to look like previously published renderings. I have been following the rezoning bill through Baltimore City Council, and I believe they had to downsize the number of total units.

I will be interested in watching this project unfold, from my new rooftop deck . . . the first one in Greektown! :cheers1:

BaltimoreDeb

April 13th, 2006, 09:05 PM

My guess, the future demand from the Johns Hopkins biopark as well as the accompanying expansion of the JHU Medical center.

The demand is probably coming from several places.

There's a huge biotech park being built at Johns Hopkins Bayview. Add to that the proximity to 895. My husband and I work in DC, and it's just about as easy to commute from the Greektown rowhouse, as from our house in Montgomery County.

That's two I can think of . . .

MasonsInquiries

April 13th, 2006, 09:18 PM

The demand is probably coming from several places.

There's a huge biotech park being built at Johns Hopkins Bayview. Add to that the proximity to 895. My husband and I work in DC, and it's just about as easy to commute from the Greektown rowhouse, as from our house in Montgomery County.

That's two I can think of . . .
......and you can probably throw the job-expansions at fort meade and the aberdeen proving ground on the list for the demand as well. they're talkin' an additonal 3,200 jobs. by the way, WELCOME BaltimoreDeb!!

DCKenny

April 13th, 2006, 10:39 PM

Welcome to the site!

fluffyhorse

April 13th, 2006, 11:09 PM

jpreston02

April 13th, 2006, 11:26 PM

My husband and I work in DC, and it's just about as easy to commute from the Greektown rowhouse, as from our house in Montgomery County.

Welcome aboard. You folks (and others like you) are driving demand for Baltimore housing from Locust Point to Canton to Station North & Midtown. It's a great thing for our city to attract that kind of investment, and I applaude the job LiveBaltimore does promoting the city to DC professionals.

BaltimoreDeb

April 13th, 2006, 11:29 PM

......and you can probably throw the job-expansions at fort meade and the aberdeen proving ground on the list for the demand as well. they're talkin' an additonal 3,200 jobs. by the way, WELCOME BaltimoreDeb!!

Thanks! BTW, my husband's father lives in Sao Paulo, Brazil . . . no, not Brazilian, just worked there for many years and is married to a Brazilian (2nd wife).

BaltimoreDeb

April 13th, 2006, 11:32 PM

Welcome aboard. You folks (and others like you) are driving demand for Baltimore housing from Locust Point to Canton to Station North & Midtown. It's a great thing for our city to attract that kind of investment, and I applaude the job LiveBaltimore does promoting the city to DC professionals.
WE consider ourselves to have "dual citizenship." My husband wrote for the Baltimore Sun for several years, and we lived in Columbia. We have both worked in DC for many years, and we moved to MoCo just because the commute was easier.

But we love Baltimore . . . a wonderful, quirky, one-of-a-kind city. Has tons more personality than DC, which is just the place we earn our living. And we love city architecture, historic preservation, city redevelopment, and city living. I get razzed because our "vacation" home is in a city, but that's what I like!

BaltimoreDeb

April 13th, 2006, 11:35 PM

Welcome aboard. You folks (and others like you) are driving demand for Baltimore housing from Locust Point to Canton to Station North & Midtown. It's a great thing for our city to attract that kind of investment, and I applaude the job LiveBaltimore does promoting the city to DC professionals.
I should add that we got the rowhouse originally because I had a (very short-lived) job at Johns Hopkins Bayview, and it was to be a 2 - 3 night a week venue for me. I lost the job (turned out to be a TERRIFIC thing), but we kept the house . . . and now 7 years later, it's been through a total gut-renovation, and is (if I may say so myself) pretty darned gorgeous. :cheer:

BaltimoreDeb

April 13th, 2006, 11:37 PM

Some new construction I have seen: :cheers:

There is a gaping hole at North Avenue and Mount Royal which I think is for the MICA housing project

The Printer's Square Apartments on Guilford Avenue in Mount Royal is definatly under construction.

The second building in the UMB Biopark is finally under construction

There is work being done on the Station North Townhomes as well as some other renovations on the western blocks of the neighborhood
Speaking of the Station North Arts District, are there any plans to renovate the CopyCat Building? It has a great sign, but it's terribly down-at-heels.

BaltimoreDeb

April 13th, 2006, 11:48 PM

Oh, one more thing before I leave for the day . . .

900 South Oldham Street, adjacent to the KSI project, is going through a rezoning process, to convert to R8 zoning:

http://legistar.baltimorecitycouncil.com/attachments/645.pdf

The developer in this case appears to be Metroscape Development, a small local developer which builds "contemporary homes in historic neighborhoods" -- smaller, infill projects.

http://www.rolandgate.com/

That's THREE projects now for Greektown, including KSI, and the one at 120/160 Oldham . . .

waj0527

April 14th, 2006, 12:15 AM

Speaking of the Station North Arts District, are there any plans to renovate the CopyCat Building? It has a great sign, but it's terribly down-at-heels.
First, Welcome! Second, Ive been asking the same thing for year. I love the idea of an artist loft district, but wish it were a bit more refined. There's lots of things that can be done to clean up the aesthetic of that neighborhood.

StevenW

April 14th, 2006, 01:02 AM

I LOVE these conversations! :D
Welcome, BaltimoreDeb! Thanks for the info. :)
Glad to have you here on the forum. Please post as often as you'd like. Your husband, too, if he's interested. :D

http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/graphic/2006-04/22745078.gif

MasonsInquiries

April 14th, 2006, 02:08 AM

http://www.rolandgate.com/

That's THREE projects now for Greektown, including KSI, and the one at 120/160 Oldham . . .
wow, i like!!!! Bring on the construction!!!
http://www.rolandgate.com/RolanGateSiteplan.jpg

scottbbfm

April 14th, 2006, 02:53 AM

Noticed a sign today for a Spring Hill Suites coming soon (winter 2006) to the building that is currently being renovated @ Calvert and Redwood St. The building currently houses a 1st mariner bank, but I believe that branch just closed and moved to the corner of Charles and Saratoga, essentially the gateway to Mt Vernon. I think someone asked what was going on in the building as there has been a large trash chute set up there for some time now.

Did we know about this project?

I think this will make a nice addition to the area as it is right behind the infamous 1 Light St parking lot and right across Redwood St from the Hampton inn and caddy-corner from the residence inn. We get a hotel project on the light street lot (Mr. Clarke step to the plate please) and that really becomes hotel central for the CBA, making for a 24 upgrade to the entire area.

The worst thing about the Light St holdup is not the fact its a parking lot. Its the fact those buildings on Baltimore St are completely vacant and will NEVER be occupied, bringing down the neighborhood. The Mcdonalds there is in deplorable shape and the franchiser will never pay to renovate that space due to whatever MAY happen on that lot. When the Nicole Kidman movie was filming there this fall, they renovated those store fronts, and the whole street looked AMAZING, it really added some continuity to the area.

waj0527

April 14th, 2006, 03:20 AM

^That makes two Springhill Suites underconstruction/renovation. I think the hotel component of The Vue is a Springhill too, no?

MasonsInquiries

April 14th, 2006, 03:23 AM

Some new construction I have seen: :cheers:

There is a gaping hole at North Avenue and Mount Royal which I think is for the MICA housing project

The Printer's Square Apartments on Guilford Avenue in Mount Royal is definatly under construction.

The second building in the UMB Biopark is finally under construction

There is work being done on the Station North Townhomes as well as some other renovations on the western blocks of the neighborhood
...and also (this may be old news), they've finally put up a sign on that pile of dirt on the corner of jackson street and key highway. The project's going to be called "federal place". 49 four-story tonhomes. it's going to be a great addition to that area.

StevenW

April 14th, 2006, 04:25 AM

This is ALL great news! Baltimore is W-H-I-T-E H-O-T-! :D

scando

April 14th, 2006, 05:14 AM

Some new construction I have seen: :cheers:

There is a gaping hole at North Avenue and Mount Royal which I think is for the MICA housing project

I've been curious about this one. I pass by there about once a week but nothing seems to be happening. There is a hole and some sort of concrete structure way down in the hole but nothing has been added for at least several months. There's even a stairway that goes down in the hole. Anybody know what's up there?

StevenW

April 14th, 2006, 11:56 AM

Some news for you to read:

Student center shows off UB's new direction
Gathering place symbolizes president's desire to update the university
By Joe Palazzolo
Sun reporter
Originally published April 14, 2006

Robert L. Bogomolny will tell you that University of Baltimore's new $20 million student center is a striking example - in both form and function - of progress.

For an urban university in the midst of updating its image, the modern, glass-laden building is a gleaming symbol of both Bogomolny's efforts over the past 3 1/2 years as president and his aspiration to increase the student body by almost a third in the next decade.

The building's complicated architecture departs sharply from the brown-brick, boxy look of many of the campus' other buildings in upper Mount Vernon - much as Bogomolny's managerial style and plans for the university veer from what his predecessors sought to do.

For students, the new five-story center at the corner of Maryland and Mount Royal avenues - which replaced the historic Odorite building amid much community angst - represents something more basic.

"You don't have to be a genius to figure out if you've got hundreds of students roaming around campus during the day, you need someplace where they can come together," said Bogomolny. "This is first-class space for the students."

Dedication for the building, which opened last month, is Monday.

On the center's first floor, Dennis McIver was poring over an ethics book before his evening class. McIver, a graduate student in the legal and ethical studies program, sat at a table behind a wall of glass that extended from floor to ceiling.

A month ago, if he wanted to study next to a window on campus, he'd probably have had to do so in true commuter fashion: in his parked car. Until last month, UB was among a dwindling few American universities and colleges without student centers.

"Students need a place to gather," McIver said.

The 38,000-square-foot building houses a 200-seat theater, a game room, a computer lab, a coffee shop and a cafeteria, in addition to student organization suites and a banquet room on the fourth floor. Planted throughout are furnished study nooks. At least four plasma-screen televisions hang in various corners. Recommendations from student focus groups informed the building's interior design.

McIver said that the student center was emblematic of a transformation. "It's part of UB's coming of age," he said.

Bogomolny's goals, both for the student center and the commuter university, have been characterized at times as both visionary and narrow.

In 2004, when the university announced it would demolish the historic Odorite building - constructed in 1915 as a showroom for the Monumental Motor Car Co. - to make way for the new student center, neighbors and preservationists fumed.

Claiming that the university had not adequately consulted with them and that the building's historical roots entitled it to protection, members of the Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association and the Maryland Historical Trust sued the university. A Circuit Court judge dismissed the case.

When Baltimore Heritage and community groups pleaded with Bogomolny to incorporate part of the building into the design for the student center, he refused, saying that it would cost students an additional $1.5 million.

Funding for the student center comes entirely from tuition increases spread out over five years, said Peter Toran, the university's vice president for planning.

Bogomolny said that his budget cuts and his emphasis on financial self-sufficiency earned him detractors early on. But in the case of the student center, the university, though part of the statewide system, was immunized against state interference because no public funds went into its construction.

A former corporate senior vice president for G.D. Searle & Co., Bogomolny said that his time in the private sector gives him a "forward-looking" perspective that he has brought to bear on his current job.

"I was away just long enough to have lost the pace and rhythm of a university," Bogomolny said.

Since arriving in 2002, Bogomolny has replaced about 80 percent of the administrative staff, which is why, he said, the past 3 1/2 years have seen such drastic change on the university's side.
Up a coil stairway on the second floor, sitting at a table off to the side of the cafeteria, Gloria Brown stared out the window as students strolled up and down Mount Royal Avenue below. Brown, a 1989 graduate of the law school, said this was her second visit to the new center.

"It's nice. It's so airy I think it will attract a lot more day students," she said. "This is a great school. There's no reason it shouldn't have a higher tier rating."

Bogomolny shares Brown's optimism. He has been trying to broaden the university's image from a night school for professional students to that of a more traditional four-year university.

About 50 percent of UB's 4,896 students attend full time, and about 60 percent take night classes, according to university officials.

Since 2002, enrollment has jumped by about 400 students. Bogomolny said that he envisions the student population growing to about 7,000 in the next decade.

The student center is only one element of the larger push to widen the university's appeal. While it now offers undergraduate degrees for juniors and seniors, along with various graduate degrees, in the fall of 2007, UB will admit freshmen for the first time in 30 years.

For now, university officials are concentrating on working with developers to construct off-campus rental units in the nearby neighborhoods, Toran said, through he is "not precluding" the possibility of on-campus residents in the future.

"In urban campus expansion, your opportunities are defined by the city. You have to be both creative and innovative," Toran said.

The university has also hired a marketing firm, the Towson-based Profiles Inc., to overhaul its image. It has since adopted a new blue-and-green logo and a new tagline - "Knowledge that works" - and has recently begun a $300,000 ad campaign.

Bogomolny said that the next construction project on campus would likely entail a new classroom building for the college of liberal arts. But he said he's also angling for a new library and renovations to the law school

On the fourth floor of the student center, a prismlike window overlooks Maryland Avenue. From this vantage, Bogomolny could almost capture the entire campus.

"Best view in the city," he said.

joe.palazzolo@baltsun

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Critics: City’s master plan may limit input
PDF | Email
Stephen Janis, The Examiner
Apr 14, 2006 7:00 AM (2 hrs 15 mins ago)

BALTIMORE - Critics of Baltimore’s new master plan, the comprehensive overhaul of zoning regulations and development guidelines, said it might prevent communities from having say in what gets built in their neighborhoods.

“They’re trying to do away with urban development plans,” said City Council Member Robert Curran, D-District 3. “It will unempower the communities.”

At issue are existing urban development plans, legal guidelines that have been tailored to development concerns in specific city neighborhoods and turned into law by the City Council, that would be eliminated if the new master plan is adopted.

The plans cover a range of issues, from how many of a specific type of business can locate in an area to what sort of signs a business can use to advertise.

Curran said the plans are vital to help tailor growth to the specific needs of the neighborhood by allowing community input.

“As it stands, communities won’t have a say. I wouldn’t want to see that lost,” Curran said.

Mark Cameron, executive director of the Neighborhood Design Center, a community-based nonprofit that advises communities on design issues, said that at first glance, some neighborhoods are apprehensive about the change.

“A lot of community members think it’s scary,” Cameron said. “Urban development plans can be important if there are no other regulations or guidelines in place.”

Cameron said the city will prepare “design guidelines” for specific neighborhoods separate from the master plan, though he said he thought that at this point the idea needs “to be worked out.”

The uncertainty comes as the planning department is making final revisions to the new master plan, which is getting its first overhaul since 1971. The master plan determines citywide zoning laws, as well as sets development strategies and goals for neighborhoods. The revised plan will be submitted to the City Council as a series of ordinances for approval.

But Otis Rolley, chief of city planning, said eliminating urban renewal plans was only a recommendation in the new master plan. “We will not get rid of them until we have something better to replace them with,” he said.

Rolley explained that existing urban renewal plans are patchwork laws that help neighborhoods deal with an outdated zoning law.

“We need to get the zoning laws up to date, then communities will have a better tool to work with,” Rolley said.

sjanis@baltimoreexaminer.com

Examiner

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.grants14apr14,0,1899509.story?coll=bal-home-headlines

city aims to get by on less.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

StevenW

April 14th, 2006, 12:10 PM

http://wjz.com/topstories/local_story_103203327.html

^^ Read ^^

fanofterps

April 14th, 2006, 03:15 PM

when Ed Hale is going to start his 500 condo's in Canton Crossing? This complex has potential to be a Harbor East. Heard 2 hotels, 2 office buildings, 500 condo's and a retail building.

waj0527

April 14th, 2006, 03:42 PM

http://wjz.com/topstories/local_story_103203327.html

^^ Read ^^
Baltimore's market isnt going to burst. At least not like some of the California markets. Baltimore hasnt reached its peak yet.

NYC007

April 14th, 2006, 04:41 PM

BaltimoreDeb

April 14th, 2006, 04:44 PM

Baltimore's market isnt going to burst. At least not like some of the California markets. Baltimore hasnt reached its peak yet.

There's a huge difference between a burst and a soft landing. Markets like Houston go >>boom<<. Markets like DC and Baltimore get hot, then settle down, but don't go underwater. You also have to look at the underlying reasons. There's a lot of economic development driving Baltimore's inner-city housing revival.

fanofterps

April 14th, 2006, 05:22 PM

Crabs- Bo Brooks in Canton, Obreckri's(spell) on Pratt
Seafood and American-Red Fish on Boston St(Canton) , Helen's Garden(Canton), Corks(Federal Hill)
Italian- Tiburrzi's Canton on Kenwood Ave.
Spanish - Tio Pepe
Steak- Capital Grill, Prime Rib, Fleming's, Morton's
Fish- Roy's

Canton, Federal Hill and Locust Point have the best resturaunts now. Inner Harbor is more tourist food/chains.

I'm going to be in Baltimore next Tuesday (4/18 through Thursday 4/20) for two evenings. I'm wondering if anyone could offer me some suggestions of things I absolutely must see/do. What are the best restaurants, coolest bars/clubs/lounges, etc? I'll be staying at the Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore, and if there is any nightlife within walking distance, I'd prefer that. I hate to drive after a couple of drinks. I 'd love to find some good restaurants, but wouldn't want to spend more than say $100 - $150 for two. Is that possible in Baltimore? Also, I'm a little beyond my dance club days, though I really love chill out music, so if there's a club that's kind of loungy like that, I'd like to go. What about tourist stuff? I heard the Baltimore Zoo is good, and I love Edgar Allen Poe so I was thinking of checking out his house and/or grave. Is it worthwhile or pure cheese? Is it true that there's a John Waters museum in Baltimore? Look at it this way, if you had just two days and two nights in Baltimore, what things would you not be able to miss?

waj0527

April 14th, 2006, 05:29 PM

^ I agree 100% with you. The presence of the federal government in DC and MD and Univ. of Maryland and JHU in Baltimore real help to stabalize our housing markets. Its not like the government is ever gonna just up and leave the region...same goes for UM and JHU.

Base realignment certainly doesnt hurt either.

southbalto

April 14th, 2006, 06:10 PM

Hugh Jaramillo

April 14th, 2006, 06:11 PM

I'm going to be in Baltimore next Tuesday (4/18 through Thursday 4/20) for two evenings. I'm wondering if anyone could offer me some suggestions of things I absolutely must see/do. What are the best restaurants, coolest bars/clubs/lounges, etc? I'll be staying at the Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore, and if there is any nightlife within walking distance, I'd prefer that. I hate to drive after a couple of drinks. I 'd love to find some good restaurants, but wouldn't want to spend more than say $100 - $150 for two. Is that possible in Baltimore? Also, I'm a little beyond my dance club days, though I really love chill out music, so if there's a club that's kind of loungy like that, I'd like to go. What about tourist stuff? I heard the Baltimore Zoo is good, and I love Edgar Allen Poe so I was thinking of checking out his house and/or grave. Is it worthwhile or pure cheese? Is it true that there's a John Waters museum in Baltimore? Look at it this way, if you had just two days and two nights in Baltimore, what things would you not be able to miss?

I can't really recomend any of the dance/night clubs in town although there are a slue within walking distance of your hotel! If you're interested in art, I would highly recommend a visit to the Walters Art Gallery which is located about 1 mile north of your hotel on Charles Street and Centre Streets. Be sure and check out the old mansion that now houses their Asian art collection, it gives you a glimpse of what the Baltimore merchant princes lived like in the mid 19th century! That area is called Mt. Vernon and is dominated by the earliest monument to G.Washington in the country. There are a lot of beautiful town houses as well as cafes and great restaurants in that area too. I would recommend a walk around the Inner Harbor to see some of the current development that is going on in town and see some of the projects that are discussed on this forum. Both Fells point and Federal Hill are also worth a visit. Be sure and stop by the new Visitors Center at the West side of the harbor, they have tons of information and can make reservations for any attaractions or restaurants that you might want. They would also be able to tell you about the night spots. Edgar Allen Poe is buried in old Westminster Church's grave yard. It's pretty annonymous looking but that area is now being redeveloped with apartments and condos. The house where he lived while he lived in Baltimore is on Amity Street and it is open for tours, although agian it's not much but you can get more information form the Visitors Center. I would avoid all of the restaurants in Harbor Place itself, there are a lot more typical to Baltimore places in areas like Fells Point and Federal Hill. I think the best restaurant in the Harbor area is Charlestons, but it is rather pricey. There's another one called Pazo which you would probably like more because it caters to a younger clientel. Well enjoy the cultural and gastronomic riches of Charm City. Oh and there is no John Waters museum. There is the American Visionary Art Museum which has a lot of art that I am sure he would like!

jpreston02

April 14th, 2006, 06:44 PM

Crabs- Bo Brooks in Canton, Obreckri's(spell) on Pratt
Seafood and American-Red Fish on Boston St(Canton) , Helen's Garden(Canton), Corks(Federal Hill)
Italian- Tiburrzi's Canton on Kenwood Ave.
Spanish - Tio Pepe
Steak- Capital Grill, Prime Rib, Fleming's, Morton's
Fish- Roy's

Canton, Federal Hill and Locust Point have the best resturaunts now. Inner Harbor is more tourist food/chains.

For crabs, I would say LP Steamers. It's not as touristy, more of a dive, and you really get a taste of South Baltimore. It's located on Fort Avenue about a half a mile from Fort McHenry.

There is only one bar area near where you are staying that you could walk to. That would be PowerPlant Live on the corner of Lombard and MarketPlace. It gets pretty crazy on the weekends and while it has plenty of clubs, I'm not sure if it has any chill bars really.

Other cool bar areas to check out are O'Donnell Square in the neighborhood of Canton (I recommend getting away from the square a little bit and try the Pickled Parrot - 3020 Elliot Street). On the other side of the harbor you have the Cross Street bars in the neighborhood of Federal Hill. There are lounge bars in both these areas, although you may want to take a cab from your hotel to get to either places.

You might be able to walk to the intersection of Cross Street & Light Street which is about a mile from your hotel. Depends on your style. But anyways, the intersection of Cross and Light is the start (take a right down Cross street) of the bars in the Cross Street area of Federal Hill. I like the Thirsty Dog myself, great pizza and very good (& cheap) beer.

Hope this helps.

MasonsInquiries

April 14th, 2006, 06:47 PM

DCKenny

April 14th, 2006, 06:57 PM

Are there a lot of night clubs or bars in that area?

MasonsInquiries

April 14th, 2006, 08:02 PM

Are there a lot of night clubs or bars in that area?
yes, a good amount. .

wada_guy

April 14th, 2006, 08:17 PM

Mini-Mart braces for Charles Village construction

04/12/06
By Brandon Dudley
Baltimore Messenger

Sam Hamideh, owner of University Mini-Mart, waits on customers, including construction wokers, at his store, which will soon close temporarily. Life is about to become very inconvenient for the owner of a Charles Village convenience store. Sam Hamideh's world will come to a halt when Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse begins to raze rowhouses, shops and garages on St. Paul Street to make way for Village West, a multimillion-dollar development at St. Paul and 33rd streets.

Hamideh owns University Mini- Mart at the edge of the site, where demolition is expected to start later this month. Hamideh verbally agreed to shut down May 15 for several months - how many isn't known yet. Under the deal, he will eventually lease a larger space from Struever Bros., across the street. He said he is looking forward to the new space, 500 square feet larger than his current 2,000-square-foot store. He plans to use the extra space for tables and chairs for customers.

But he worries about the effect of a temporary shutdown, not only on his business but on Johns Hopkins University students and work crews on other projects in the immediate area, such as student housing and a relocated campus bookstore that Hopkins is building across 33rd Street.

Construction workers come into his 24-hour convenience store all the time for food, he said. "Basically, they are all depending on me. If I closed down, I don't know what these guys are going to do." And Hopkins students would be lost without his store, he believes. "We have an excellent relationship with the students at Hopkins," he said. "I'm like pop and mama for them. We take care of them."

He's also afraid he'll lose long-time employees. "I can't keep these guys (out of work) for three, four or five months," he said. "It's not easy to find very loyal people and train them." He said he also offers community services that no competitors in the area offer, such as money orders, lottery tickets and check cashing. "It's only me," he said. "It's sad. I don't know what they're doing to do without me if I close."

Hamideh is holding off on finalizing his agreement with Struever Bros. because he is unsure of the status of the deal and hasn't received any official paperwork. Hamideh will have the necessary paperwork soon, said Emilie Baratta, assistant development director for Struever Bros.

Retail and condos

Village West will have 107 market-priced condominiums, plus 15,000 square feet of retail space and a parking garage with 526 spaces. At least 395 of the spaces will be for public parking, operated by the Baltimore Parking Authority, Baratta said. Among the stores envisioned at Village West are a wine bar, a coffee shop, a stationery store, a clothing store and a florist, to enhance the neighborhood's "pedestrian-friendly nature," Baratta said.

On the east side of St. Paul just south of 33rd, Struever Bros. is already building Village Lofts, which will have 68 condos, each with at least one parking space, Baratta said. She said developer Bill Struever "has a long history" with Charles Village. "He truly loves Charles Village," she said, "and has dedicated time and energy over the past 10 years to making it a more dynamic, energetic place by increasing the density and adding eclectic retail along the street."

The company began acquiring property in the area in 1999 for Village West and Village Lofts, and finalized control in February. The demolition for Village West will begin by the end of April and construction should be completed by the spring of 2008, Baratta said. The developments will be environmentally friendly - energy efficient, with air conditioning systems, insulation and appliances all designed to save energy, Baratta said.

Hamideh's complaint is that the project leaves him in the lurch in the short run. He said he had hoped the process would be like "switching the light on and off."

NYC007

April 14th, 2006, 08:30 PM

fanofterps

April 14th, 2006, 08:50 PM

to seeing this area when it is done. It really is going to make Charles Village very nice.

I'm also looking forward to Struever's State Center work and the completion of Harbor East over the next 5 to 7 years.

Mini-Mart braces for Charles Village construction

04/12/06
By Brandon Dudley
Baltimore Messenger

Sam Hamideh, owner of University Mini-Mart, waits on customers, including construction wokers, at his store, which will soon close temporarily. Life is about to become very inconvenient for the owner of a Charles Village convenience store. Sam Hamideh's world will come to a halt when Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse begins to raze rowhouses, shops and garages on St. Paul Street to make way for Village West, a multimillion-dollar development at St. Paul and 33rd streets.

Hamideh owns University Mini- Mart at the edge of the site, where demolition is expected to start later this month. Hamideh verbally agreed to shut down May 15 for several months - how many isn't known yet. Under the deal, he will eventually lease a larger space from Struever Bros., across the street. He said he is looking forward to the new space, 500 square feet larger than his current 2,000-square-foot store. He plans to use the extra space for tables and chairs for customers.

But he worries about the effect of a temporary shutdown, not only on his business but on Johns Hopkins University students and work crews on other projects in the immediate area, such as student housing and a relocated campus bookstore that Hopkins is building across 33rd Street.

Construction workers come into his 24-hour convenience store all the time for food, he said. "Basically, they are all depending on me. If I closed down, I don't know what these guys are going to do." And Hopkins students would be lost without his store, he believes. "We have an excellent relationship with the students at Hopkins," he said. "I'm like pop and mama for them. We take care of them."

He's also afraid he'll lose long-time employees. "I can't keep these guys (out of work) for three, four or five months," he said. "It's not easy to find very loyal people and train them." He said he also offers community services that no competitors in the area offer, such as money orders, lottery tickets and check cashing. "It's only me," he said. "It's sad. I don't know what they're doing to do without me if I close."

Hamideh is holding off on finalizing his agreement with Struever Bros. because he is unsure of the status of the deal and hasn't received any official paperwork. Hamideh will have the necessary paperwork soon, said Emilie Baratta, assistant development director for Struever Bros.

Retail and condos

Village West will have 107 market-priced condominiums, plus 15,000 square feet of retail space and a parking garage with 526 spaces. At least 395 of the spaces will be for public parking, operated by the Baltimore Parking Authority, Baratta said. Among the stores envisioned at Village West are a wine bar, a coffee shop, a stationery store, a clothing store and a florist, to enhance the neighborhood's "pedestrian-friendly nature," Baratta said.

On the east side of St. Paul just south of 33rd, Struever Bros. is already building Village Lofts, which will have 68 condos, each with at least one parking space, Baratta said. She said developer Bill Struever "has a long history" with Charles Village. "He truly loves Charles Village," she said, "and has dedicated time and energy over the past 10 years to making it a more dynamic, energetic place by increasing the density and adding eclectic retail along the street."

The company began acquiring property in the area in 1999 for Village West and Village Lofts, and finalized control in February. The demolition for Village West will begin by the end of April and construction should be completed by the spring of 2008, Baratta said. The developments will be environmentally friendly - energy efficient, with air conditioning systems, insulation and appliances all designed to save energy, Baratta said.

Hamideh's complaint is that the project leaves him in the lurch in the short run. He said he had hoped the process would be like "switching the light on and off."

Gsol

April 14th, 2006, 10:07 PM

Guys, Wow, thanks for all the suggestions, and I should say all the DETAILED suggestions. You're better than Frommer's Travel Guides...really. I'm sure I'll have plenty to do. I always think it's best to get advice about a place from the people who live there. If you're ever in Buffalo, post something on the Buffalo thread (or PM me) and I'll be happy to make some suggestions for you too!

Please let us know how your visit went and what your impressions are of the city. DEFINITELY GO TO CAMDEN YARDS.

Enjoy your visit.

StevenW

April 14th, 2006, 10:41 PM

Guys, Wow, thanks for all the suggestions, and I should say all the DETAILED suggestions. You're better than Frommer's Travel Guides...really. I'm sure I'll have plenty to do. I always think it's best to get advice about a place from the people who live there. If you're ever in Buffalo, post something on the Buffalo thread (or PM me) and I'll be happy to make some suggestions for you too!
BTW, if you can, take some pictures of your trip. :D I'm sure you'll see a lot of cranes! ;)
Hope you have a good visit. And, oh yeah, definately, go to Camden Yards! :) It's like a huge night-club! Especially when the O's are winning! Night Games are the best, IMO. :D

StevenW

April 14th, 2006, 10:44 PM

http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2006-04/22944384.jpgThis is first-class space for the students," University of Baltimore President Robert L. Bogomolny says of the new center.
(Sun photo by Jed Kirschbaum)
Apr 5, 2006

• Student center shows off UB's new direction

http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2006-04/22943416.jpgThe new student center at the University of Baltimore features a theater, a game room, a computer lab, a coffee shop and a cafeteria, in addition to student organization suites and a banquet room. Dedication for the center is Monday.
(Sun photo by Jed Kirschbaum)
Apr 5, 2006
--------------

I REALLY like this building! Cool design! :D

Hugh Jaramillo

April 14th, 2006, 11:24 PM

You Made My Day Wada Guy

Thanks for posting the article regarding the demolition plans for the Village West SBER development. I have been waiting for that horrid block to go down now since they first announced the plans for it! I would personally love to take a sledge hammer and a good strong crow bar and have at it myself, if it would help level that block any quicker. The only thing that I found odd from reading that article is that the owner of the Mini Mart (overpriced crap that caters to the low lifes) is that he said "if they tear it down" and not "when they tear it down". Everytime I go by there and see that store still open, I wonder when they're going to start the demolition. Anyway, I hope they don't become the fly in the oitment and hold that project up, like that jerk did across the street when he held out until he got $1 millon dollars for his dilapidated row house.

StevenW

April 14th, 2006, 11:37 PM

You guys have got to check out this photo thread from ssp! :eek: Awesome Baltimore PIX! (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=103541)

StevenW

April 14th, 2006, 11:40 PM

Hey, wada guy. It seems that 414 Water Street has slowed down on the construction. Am I wrong? I thought that at least they'd be at the fourth floor of the condos.

waj0527

April 15th, 2006, 12:11 AM

You guys have got to check out this photo thread from ssp! :eek: Awesome Baltimore PIX! (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=103541)
One of the best collection of Baltimore pics I had seen in quite some time.

StevenW

April 15th, 2006, 01:24 AM

One of the best collection of Baltimore pics I had seen in quite some time.
I agree! :)

tonyBmore

April 15th, 2006, 08:07 AM

Hi everyone. I'm not new to the SSC page, but I am a new poster. I check out the Baltimore Development forums more than I check my email.
I'm a Baltimore lifer and currently live in Locust Point with my wife and 6 month old son, Brooks...Yes, my son is named after Orioles legend Brooks Robinson and, yes, I'm anxiously awaiting more noticable progress on the grain elevator as I'm sure most of you are). Like several other posters, I too am a Baltimore City school teacher...Pigtown, hon.
I just got back from a sports/architecture extravaganza weekend in Chicago and finally decided I needed to join in the fun.
I look forward to learning from, and adding to, our Baltimore forums. Steven, the photo thread of Bmore was great...thanks for the link. I have a ton of pics of Bmore and other cities I've visited, including some REDIC pics of Chicago I took today. Let me know if you all would like me to post them.
Again, thanks for letting me be a part of your forum and I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend in Charm City.

Maudibjr

April 15th, 2006, 08:21 AM

Maudibjr

April 15th, 2006, 08:23 AM

I was talking to some members of the Baltimore Co. planning board, and apparently in the new Owings Mills town center redelopment they had to redesign the parking garage because of excess electro-magnetic radiation for the subway station was messing with the rebar and concrete.

I didn't know that this was possible especially considering the station itself is made out of concrete.

StevenW

April 15th, 2006, 03:38 PM

MasonsInquiries

April 15th, 2006, 04:52 PM

MasonsInquiries

April 15th, 2006, 04:56 PM

Hey, wada guy. It seems that 414 Water Street has slowed down on the construction. Am I wrong? I thought that at least they'd be at the fourth floor of the condos.
yeah, i noticed that also. it does look like it has slowed down a bit; this is weird considering the zenith and the "inns at camden yards" (as we'll call it) started roughly around the same time frame. i drove by there the other day and i think the zenith is up to like floor 6 or something liek that. the inns are up to floor 4 already.

but anyway, whatever the holdup is with 414 water street, i hope that they're somehow still on schedule with their completion date.

StevenW

April 15th, 2006, 05:19 PM

^^ Yeah, me too. :)

ChuckScraperMiami#1

April 15th, 2006, 05:38 PM

You guys have got to check out this photo thread from ssp! :eek: Awesome Baltimore PIX! (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=103541)
Steve :hi: , its Chuck :) again, your " Hot :righton: " here in also my hometown and raised in Baltimore :bowtie: off Loch Raven Blvd at 1740 Amunski Rd. :okay: which splits off of Redwood Ave.
, near Oakliegh Elementary school. ( Off Perring Parkway south of the 695 Beltway ) I watched the Beltway under construction in 1963, with Perring Parkway being trees back then and proposed in the future, which has been way completed by now, LOL !!! :hilarious :cheers1:

Nice Pics :horse: , and come visit us growing fast down here in sunny MIAMI :cool: forum, its Hot here ,too, in a City :grouphug: Family forum I have been since and also My hometown of Baltimore for 10 years, and then MIAMI :cool: for 40 years now :applause: .

StevenW

April 15th, 2006, 11:38 PM

Steve :hi: , its Chuck :) again, your " Hot :righton: " here in also my hometown and raised in Baltimore :bowtie: off Loch Raven Blvd at 1740 Amunski Rd. :okay: which splits off of Redwood Ave.
, near Oakliegh Elementary school. ( Off Perring Parkway south of the 695 Beltway ) I watched the Beltway under construction in 1963, with Perring Parkway being trees back then and proposed in the future, which has been way completed by now, LOL !!! :hilarious :cheers1:

Nice Pics :horse: , and come visit us growing fast down here in sunny MIAMI :cool: forum, its Hot here ,too, in a City :grouphug: Family forum I have been since and also My hometown of Baltimore for 10 years, and then MIAMI :cool: for 40 years now :applause: .
Hi, CHuck! I lived in Ft. Lauderdale in the early to mid 70's. St. Pete's too. Love what's going on in Miami AND Ft. Lauderdale! Ft. Lauderdale has changed BIGTIME since I lived there last. :D
Please keep up with the Baltimore Development thread. One of our regulars here lives and goes to school down in the Miami area. Who knows, you two could have seen each other. :D

vivo

April 16th, 2006, 12:50 AM

wow can't believe this hasn't been posted

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.redline15apr15,0,4614027.story?track=rss

MTA seeks input on east-west transit line
By Greg Garland
sun reporter
Originally published April 15, 2006
Baltimore-area residents will get a chance next month to voice their opinions on the best approach for proposed mass transit service from Woodlawn to Canton.

The Maryland Transit Administration will hold five community workshops starting May 11 to update residents on planning for the east-west Red Line, said Tony Brown, deputy director of MTA's planning office.

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State transportation officials say the Red Line would be either a light rail system or a bus rapid transit system - a bus system using dedicated roadways and tunnels for portions of the route.

Brown said MTA wants people's views on possible configurations of the route, the type of system they prefer and where they think stations should be located.

He said there are several alternatives for running the Red Line, and those will be presented at the session.

"This follows up on workshops that we held last November," Brown said. "We want to share information that we've updated about proposed alignment options."

The restructuring of bus service and the development of mass transit plans by Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.'s administration has often been a contentious affair.

Nate Payer, a spokesman for the Transit Riders Action Council of Metropolitan Baltimore, said state officials refuse to even study the possibility of building a heavy rail subway system.

"We have looked at the federal guidelines for [mass transit] funding, and they are not considering all reasonable alternatives," Payer said. "One has to consider all modes that make technical sense."

He said that a light rail system, even if part runs underground inside the city, won't get as many riders because in most places it will be on surface streets and slowed by congestion and traffic signals.

"We don't need another project in the city that would hurt the city or damage the city or to spend a lot of money that doesn't do anything," Payer said.

He said members of his group will attend the workshops to voice their opinions, as they did in November - despite their frustration that the idea of a subway system has been "taken off the table."

But Dan Pontious of the Citizens Planning and Housing Association, a public policy and neighborhood assistance organization, said it is doubtful the state could ever land federal funding for a subway project in Baltimore.

"Heavy rail is not being approved for new lines in metropolitan areas the size of Baltimore," Pontious said.

He said that his group is "keeping an open mind" on the type of system that should be used for the Red Line.

"In addition to mobility, it should serve as a tool for the revitalization of communities and attract economic development where people want it. That's the key criteria for us - more jobs and making places more vibrant."

Officials hope to start construction in 2010, Brown said.

greg.garland@baltsun.com

StevenW

April 16th, 2006, 01:07 AM

Excelent find, vivo! Thanks! :)
I hope the red line is built! :D

vivo

April 16th, 2006, 01:12 AM

what are the thoughts on the rail type you think it will get? also do you all think
light rail/brt would work? what do u think should be the last eastern stations on the line? canton or patterson pk?

StevenW

April 16th, 2006, 02:03 AM

DCKenny

April 16th, 2006, 03:26 AM

Don't they have a transit like this up in Boston?

Maudibjr

April 16th, 2006, 04:06 AM

StevenW

April 16th, 2006, 04:36 AM

^^ It's a small world after all! ;) How true! :)

scando

April 16th, 2006, 07:51 AM

what are the thoughts on the rail type you think it will get? also do you all think
light rail/brt would work? what do u think should be the last eastern stations on the line? canton or patterson pk?

As much as I prefer it, we can all just put subway out of our mind. As long as the Fed is running breathtaking deficits and putting all of our resources into Iraq, there will NOT be money for expensive things in THIS country. As for whether light rail or BRT will work, it will all depend more on the details than the format. A big BRT isn't that much different from light rail but either will depend on the ability to find a ROW that will not have to interact with auto traffic. BRT can be built with multiple connected vehicles, off-the-bus ticket purchase and speeds up to 60 MPH. If it's a dumbed down BRT, with small vehicles and shared ROW, it's just an expensive bus. It would be like the buses in Ocean City. I'd like to see it go past Patterson Park, with a bus spur down through Canton to Hale's new empire.

scando

April 16th, 2006, 07:55 AM

Don't they have a transit like this up in Boston?

Boston has one and NYC is considering several. It's the current big thing in transit. Several South American cities have also built major systems based on BRT and are way ahead of us on this. Lots of info on BRT can be seen at Bus Rapid Transit Policy Center (http://www.gobrt.org/)

scando

April 16th, 2006, 08:02 AM

I like both transits, but I would prefer, although more expensive, the lrt.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/04/Ireland_-_Dublin_-_Tram.jpg/300px-Ireland_-_Dublin_-_Tram.jpg
They move more people and are cleaner to the environment. AND, besides, they look way cooler! ;)
I'm not sure yet about my decision on Canton or Patterson park yet. :?

LRT is cooler than BRT for sure but pollution-wise, they only move pollution somewhere else. At best they are a break-even but you still have to burn or react something to produce the watts to run LRT. BRT does it at the source, LRT does it remotely but the net result is that BRT is actually cleaner since there are no long distance transmission losses. If we get BRT for the Red Line, it will commit MTA to that line and the BRT could be "promoted" to LRT later. I don't think it would be a bad alternative if it is done well. I don't know where the ROW is going to come from in W Baltimore or around Highlandtown but I understnd that they are thinking about tunneling under the CBD. This could be pretty good.

Maudibjr

April 16th, 2006, 10:03 AM

Boston has one and NYC is considering several. It's the current big thing in transit. Several South American cities have also built major systems based on BRT and are way ahead of us on this. Lots of info on BRT can be seen at Bus Rapid Transit Policy Center (http://www.gobrt.org/)

Pittsburgh has several and they extended it several times. If (and thats a big if) its done rightit can operate very similerly to a LRT

StevenW

April 16th, 2006, 03:30 PM

If it's a dumbed down BRT, with small vehicles and shared ROW, it's just an expensive bus. It would be like the buses in Ocean City. I'd like to see it go past Patterson Park, with a bus spur down through Canton to Hale's new empire.

You see, that's why I would shy away from the brt a bit more because I believe that it could be, "dumbed down", UNLESS they DO go underground, THEN I may not care either way.
And, btw, I do like your idea on the two connections. :)

StevenW

April 16th, 2006, 03:38 PM

LRT is cooler than BRT for sure but pollution-wise, they only move pollution somewhere else. At best they are a break-even but you still have to burn or react something to produce the watts to run LRT. BRT does it at the source, LRT does it remotely but the net result is that BRT is actually cleaner since there are no long distance transmission losses. If we get BRT for the Red Line, it will commit MTA to that line and the BRT could be "promoted" to LRT later. I don't think it would be a bad alternative if it is done well. I don't know where the ROW is going to come from in W Baltimore or around Highlandtown but I understnd that they are thinking about tunneling under the CBD. This could be pretty good.
Well, call it shallow, but, impressions are very important. Yes, both cause pollution but I'd rather residents AND tourists ride the lrt and not see or choke on the emissions from the brt. That's one thing that impressed me so much in San Francisco. They had some brt and a LOT of lrt. Quieter, no "choking" and it was oh so cool. The brt worked well, but was way more scary. :D ;) All in all I just want at least one of them for baltimore in that area of the city. It's needed now and will be MUCH more needed in the future.
And like I said earlier, if it can also go under portions of cbd and all, AND does not have a lot of "sharing" of lanes with other traffic, then I say brt is just fine. As you said, in round about words, begars can't be choosers when the FED isn't spending 'willy-nilly' on baltimore's transit system. ;)

StevenW

April 16th, 2006, 03:53 PM

Comparison with other forms of mass transit
BRT attempts to combine the advantages of a metro system (exclusive right-of-way to improve punctuality and frequency) with the advantages of a bus system (low construction and maintenance costs, does not require exclusive right-of-way for entire length).

Compared to standard bus service BRT systems with dedicated right-of-way and thus an increased average transport speed can provide more passenger-miles with the same number of rolling stock and personnel. They also offer the prospect of a more fluent ride than a normal bus immersed in stop-and-go traffic.

Capacity of BRT and normal buses is smaller compared to tram (light rail, tram-train) and rapid transit (metro, mass transit). Typical buses are 12 metres (40 feet) long, articulated buses 18 metres (60 feet). The maximum length for a street-running tram consist (in Germany) is 75 metres (about 250 feet). Metro trains can be 240 m (about 800 feet) long. With similar dwell times in stations the capacity scales with the length.

The typical diesel engine on the bus causes noticeable noise and vibrations. Through the use of electric buses BRT designers hope to increase ride quality and decrease pollution. As the energy use for acceleration is proportional to the vehicle mass, electric traction (with the electricity supplied by wire like in trams and metro) allows lighter vehicles, faster acceleration and energy can be fed back into the grid when the vehicle is decellerating.

In contrast to BRT, both light rail and rapid transit require the placement of rails for the whole line. The tram usually avoids the high additional costs for the engineering structures like tunnels that need to be built for metros. Rail tends to provide a smoother ride and is known to attract significantly higher passenger numbers than road-based systems. An advantage of BRT, however, is that its maintenance facilities can be located anywhere, whereas for rail there must be a facility for each separate line.

Many BRT designers have used the need to construct power conduit systems as an argument against light rail, but a new proposal, known as ultra light rail, would have trams carry their own power, much like a bus, at a significant energy savings due to lack of rolling resistance.

------------------

The link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_rapid_transit

^^ Would be a good idea to read the stuff there. Good stuff to read. :)

wada_guy

April 16th, 2006, 08:15 PM

wow can't believe this hasn't been posted

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.redline15apr15,0,4614027.story?track=rss

MTA seeks input on east-west transit line
By Greg Garland
sun reporter
Originally published April 15, 2006
Baltimore-area residents will get a chance next month to voice their opinions on the best approach for proposed mass transit service from Woodlawn to Canton.

The Maryland Transit Administration will hold five community workshops starting May 11 to update residents on planning for the east-west Red Line, said Tony Brown, deputy director of MTA's planning office.

"Heavy rail is not being approved for new lines in metropolitan areas the size of Baltimore," Pontious said.

Then why are they wasting one million scarce transportation dollars studying the extension of the green line from Greenbelt to BWI? How are they going to work around the fact that Anne Arundel and Howard counties are in the tiny little Baltimore metropolitan area? You can't have it both ways.

The density per square mile for the green line extension is about 1 tenth of the density per square mile along the entire red line in Baltimore. Also, I suspect most of the people along the red line in Baltimore don't own cars. MARC already serves the green line area. Let's duplicate service and put in heavy rail to serve the same people that MARC does, and let the poor and environmentally friendly people in Baltimore walk or take a bus.

Perhaps they meant to say, "Heavy rail is not being approved for new lines where incompetent State officials do not ask for it."

At 49, I'm already a bitter old man and I have a feeling it's only going to get worse! LOL

Come on November.

Convention Hotel
http://www.baltimoreguy.com/images/Photographs%20Balto%202006%20Page%2009%2012.jpg

http://www.baltimoreguy.com/images/Photographs%20Balto%202006%20Page%2009%2014.jpg

West Shore Park
http://www.baltimoreguy.com/images/Photographs%20Balto%202006%20Page%2009%2006.jpg

Center Plaza
http://www.baltimoreguy.com/images/Photographs%20Balto%202006%20Page%2009%2024.jpg

BG&E Apartments
http://www.baltimoreguy.com/images/Photographs%20Balto%202006%20Page%2009%2025.jpg

StevenW

April 16th, 2006, 08:38 PM

Thanks for the updates, wada guy! Great pix, too. :)
This shot is impressive to me:http://www.baltimoreguy.com/images/Photographs%20Balto%202006%20Page%2009%2024.jpg
Is there a rendering of what it will look like when it's all finished? :D

Gsol

April 17th, 2006, 03:41 AM

Through Wada_Guy's potos, I couldn't help but noticing the hideous paint scheme on the transit vehicles. The old white with a blue stripe looked much better than the state's jingoistic white with the state flag. I guess this is Flanagan's way of showing who's boss.

scando

April 17th, 2006, 05:31 AM

Well, call it shallow, but, impressions are very important. Yes, both cause pollution but I'd rather residents AND tourists ride the lrt and not see or choke on the emissions from the brt. That's one thing that impressed me so much in San Francisco. They had some brt and a LOT of lrt. Quieter, no "choking" and it was oh so cool. The brt worked well, but was way more scary. :D ;) All in all I just want at least one of them for baltimore in that area of the city. It's needed now and will be MUCH more needed in the future.
And like I said earlier, if it can also go under portions of cbd and all, AND does not have a lot of "sharing" of lanes with other traffic, then I say brt is just fine. As you said, in round about words, begars can't be choosers when the FED isn't spending 'willy-nilly' on baltimore's transit system. ;)

I'd rather see the rails than the tires too although it appears as though BRT is the thing of the moment (like LRT was in 1990). One of the somethings that leaked out recently was about the possibility of bio-diesel hybrid vehicles which would go entirely electric when they enter the tunnel (assuming that there IS a tunnel) so that passengers and platform standers don't suffocate on diesel fumes. Supposedly (I havn't smelled them myself) these new-generation motors avoid most of the smoke and fumes that we associate with diesels. While I prefer rails, my bigger concern is over the ROW issues and how they mix transit with autos. If either LRT or BRT has to negociate city traffic, why bother; just buy more buses.

scando

April 17th, 2006, 05:32 AM

scando

April 17th, 2006, 05:46 AM

Then why are they wasting one million scarce transportation dollars studying the extension of the green line from Greenbelt to BWI? How are they going to work around the fact that Anne Arundel and Howard counties are in the tiny little Baltimore metropolitan area? You can't have it both ways.

The density per square mile for the green line extension is about 1 tenth of the density per square mile along the entire red line in Baltimore. Also, I suspect most of the people along the red line in Baltimore don't own cars. MARC already serves the green line area. Let's duplicate service and put in heavy rail to serve the same people that MARC does, and let the poor and environmentally friendly people in Baltimore walk or take a bus.

Perhaps they meant to say, "Heavy rail is not being approved for new lines where incompetent State officials do not ask for it."

At 49, I'm already a bitter old man and I have a feeling it's only going to get worse! LOL

I think the Green line study has to do with all of the jobs expected to arrive with the Base Realignment. That corridor is going to get very busy. Also, while MARC serves this corridor, it is getting more strained every day and has basically no room for expansion due to not owning their own rails. You're definitely right that Baltimore continues to stand in line outside the door for crumbs. My guess is that we will get more of the good stuff when the DC suburbs annex us. That's starting already, which is why the MARC is so busy. I don't worry too much about getting bitter since I go to DC with some regularity and while they get most of the goodies, getting around here is still much easier in my north city haven in Bawlamer. I'd much rather live here and go to DC when necessary, even if they have more subways.

jaysonjaz

April 17th, 2006, 07:50 AM

StevenW

April 17th, 2006, 11:50 AM

Hale, KSI part ways on projects
Baltimore Business Journal - April 14, 2006by Heather HarlanStaff

KSI Services Inc., a Virginia development company, and local banker Edwin F. Hale Sr. have severed ties on two massive real estate projects in East Baltimore.

The Vienna, Va., outfit originally had teamed up with Hale, CEO of First Mariner Bank and head of Hale Properties, to develop a portion of Canton Crossing and 14 acres of industrial land in "Greektown."

But Christopher LoPiano, a senior project executive for KSI, said the two companies are no longer partnering on Canton Crossing, a residential and commercial endeavor, or the planned Greektown residential development.

Instead, LoPiano said, Hale solely will handle Canton Crossing and KSI will spearhead the Greektown project. Hale could not be reached for comment.

"We just mutually determined that both projects would move forward more quickly and efficiently if there is one developer," LoPiano said. "It doesn't mean that we wouldn't work together in the future."

Hale is chipping away at Canton Crossing, a mixed-use project considered an anchor in Canton. The banker-turned-developer has nearly completed a key portion of the project, a 17-story office tower where Thomson Prometric and CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield plan to relocate.

All told, the $500 million Canton Crossing development will encompass 1.5 million square feet of office, hotel, retail and residential space along the Canton waterfront when finished.

Meantime, KSI Services is wrapping up plans for a condominium, apartment and townhouse project off Foster Avenue, O'Donnell and Oldham streets. The site is now being used as a trucking terminal.

The $200 million development will include close to 1,100 residential units and some stores. Although the breakdown has not been determined, the plan shows two, 23-story, high-rise condominium buildings, two 14-story condo and apartment complexes and townhomes.

Exactly how many condos will be part of the mix depends on the market demand, LoPiano said. Also undetermined is the pricing. "It will be market rate," LoPiano said. "My gut tells me it will not be ultra high-end."

Some of the waterfront condos in Baltimore City are surpassing the million-dollar mark. The developer of the Ritz-Carlton Residences is asking between $1 million and $5 million per unit.

KSI, which is known for its residential and commercial developments, has hired a company to conduct a market study to determine demand and pricing.

» LoPiano predicted that many of the potential buyers for the Greektown residences would be empty nesters, scientists and businesspeople connected with Johns Hopkins Medicine as well as employees flowing into the region through the Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations.

KSI is working with the city on rezoning issues and expects to start infrastructure improvements later this year. Construction is slated for 2007, with the first units ready for occupancy at the end of that year. The project will take a total of five to seven years to complete.

Founded in 1977, KSI initially unveiled its plans to work with Hale on the Greektown development last April. At the time, the developers had a contract for an undisclosed amount on the site. The partners weren't strangers then, though.

KSI, which has developed more than 5 million square feet of commercial space and more than 50,000 homes, had already agreed to team with Hale in building the condo portion of Canton Crossing.

Developers often pair up on cumbersome commercial real estate projects. Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse Inc. and H&S Properties Development Corp. have formed a joint venture agreement to redevelop certain key sites in Baltimore City, including the Harbor East property where the Marriott Waterfront Hotel is situated.

Manekin LLC, a Columbia commercial real estate and development firm, has linked up with Clark Turner Properties of Bel Air to build office complexes in Harford County.

And St. John Properties Inc., a Baltimore commercial real estate and development firm, has joined forces with Hecht Development to handle large mixed-use projects.

StevenW

April 17th, 2006, 11:53 AM

Biotech park to get under way
Developers break ground today on $120 million East Baltimore life science center
By Rona Marech
Sun reporter
Originally published April 17, 2006

The plans have been laid, the residents relocated, the land cleared, and at long last - after a ceremonial groundbreaking event today - construction is set to begin on the first building in a new biotech park that supporters hope will transform East Baltimore and the city.

The new building, which developers expect to be completed by 2008, is a six-story, 282,000-square- foot, $120 million life science center bounded by Wolfe, Chapel and Madison streets and Ashland Avenue. It is part of the first phase of the renewal project, which is to extend over 31 acres and include five life science buildings as well as three parking garages, 900 units of housing, 40,000 square feet of retail space and several acres of new parks.

The Johns Hopkins University plans to lease one-third of the space in the new building and the developer, Forest City-New East Baltimore Partnership, hopes private companies will move into the remainder.

"This groundbreaking has been several years in the making and represents a significant milestone in terms of not only East Baltimore's continuing redevelopment, but for the city and the region's economic future as well," said Jack Shannon, president and chief executive of East Baltimore Development Inc., the nonprofit organization the city established to oversee the renewal project. Over the summer, developers will turn to construction of a low-income residential building for seniors and another apartment complex.

The coalition behind the effort envisions a post-industrial Baltimore, where disappearing manufacturing jobs are replaced with new biotechnology jobs. The project will be boosted, proponents say, by the proposed park's proximity to the region's top medical research institutions, an educated work force, and the city's location near Washington, Philadelphia and Boston.

The development of the entire 80-acre site will take 12 to 15 years to complete and cost $1.2 billion. Project partners are planning parks, transportation, offices and retail space, as well as school classrooms and about 2,000 units of mixed-income housing.

"Over time, obviously, we'll be creating a neighborhood where the housing will have a greater density to it compared to what existed before we began our work," Shannon said. The housing will include rowhouses, apartment buildings, condominiums and housing for students.

It has been a long journey just to reach the groundbreaking stage. Already, 394 households and 20 businesses have been relocated with assistance from EBDI. The development organization connected residents with family advocates and provided homeowners an average of $150,000 in financial benefits and renters close to $40,000.

Last year, the Annie E. Casey Foundation funded a survey by an independent evaluator to determine whether relocated families were satisfied with the moving process. A majority of respondents indicated they were better off in their new homes and neighborhoods and rated their overall relocation experience as good or excellent.

But not everyone is content about the process.

"Where's the long-term stability in it?" said Donald Gresham, chairman of the Save Middle East Action Committee. He's worried that because of the rising cost of real estate, former residents won't be able to afford their new housing once the assistance runs out. He also expressed concern that residents won't have access to the new jobs being created, that those who want to move back won't be able to and that the community's history will be lost.

"If the people are not benefiting from the change, what good is it?" he asked.

These concerns are legitimate, said Douglas Nelson, president of Annie E. Casey Foundation and a member of the EBDI board. However, his foundation has already contributed $10 million to help residents and expects to spend substantial amounts in the future to avoid the kind of problems Gresham foresees.

While homeowners who have moved may be paying more in property taxes, many live in more valuable homes that they own debt-free, he said.

Moreover, the plan is to offer former residents - in addition to replacement housing - access to jobs, financial education and career development opportunities. EBDI has already invested in training programs, such as the BioTechnical Institute of Maryland's Biostart program, which trains high school graduates in the life sciences.

Nelson also said he expects to see displaced families move back.

"This will be a failure from my point of view, and Casey's, if we can't keep this neighborhood affordable to many of the people who used to live there or to other low-income families that want to move in the future," he said.

Around the country, most viable urban-renewal developments haven't included low-income residents in their long-term plans. Nelson hopes the biotech park will provide a better blueprint, he said. "An urban renewal project that is friendly to low-income people and remains so when it's successful."

rona.marech@baltsun.com
http://www.mddailyrecord.com/newspics/jhubiopark.jpg

StevenW

April 17th, 2006, 11:56 AM

Inner Harbor parcel getting 'national interest'
Baltimore Business Journal - April 14, 2006by Heather HarlanStaff

The waterfront property where the vacant Globe Brewing Co. and bustling Little Havana restaurant sit along Baltimore's Inner Harbor is for sale.

The Shapiro Co. of Baltimore is marketing the Key Highway site, now owned by the Obrecht Corp. of Jacksonville, Fla., for $7 million.

The slice of land, less than one acre, is considered the only available parcel along Baltimore's Inner Harbor, a coveted location as empty nesters and young urban professionals flood back into the city.

Andrew Farrell, an associate with the Shapiro Co., said the property is attracting a lot of attention. "Because of its location, we've gotten local, regional and national interest in the site," he said.

Thomas "Toby" S. Bozzuto, executive vice president of Bozzuto Development Co. in Greenbelt, said his company has looked at the property.

Although the land is zoned industrial, a planned change by the city will allow for residential and office uses there, said Mark Shapiro, principal of the Shapiro Co.

"People are a little concerned about the condominium market right now," Shapiro said. "But I think a premier location like that will do well."

Aside from a desire by potential investors to convert the property into condominiums or apartments, Shapiro said there is strong yearning to transform the site into an office complex. "I think there's a huge demand or desire for companies to locate on the water," he said.

If 500 E. Pratt St. is any indication, then Shapiro's prediction could be correct. Considered the newest office tower in downtown Baltimore with waterfront views, 500 E. Pratt St. is 95 percent leased.

Shortly after construction began, the building lured a lot of companies both large and small. The Reznick Group, a Bethesda-based accounting firm; Saul Ewing LLP, a local law firm; and Aon Corp., the holding company for a family of insurance subsidiaries, have all settled at the 500 E. Pratt St. tower.

Meanwhile, Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse Inc., a Baltimore developer, is known for its recent conversion of some key industrial buildings along the harbor into offices. Tide Point in Locust Point and Bond Street Wharf in Fells Point -- two of those projects -- leased quickly with office tenants.

The city is working on an amended urban renewal plan that will allow some industrial properties along Key Highway -- from the Globe/Little Havana site to the General Ship parcel -- to accommodate residential and commercial development.

An initial plan dating back almost a year was met with resistance from surrounding community members, concerned that too much building could block their views and too much traffic could hurt their quality of life.

Shapiro, who serves on a task force concerning the issue, said preliminary plans would permit the Key Highway properties to support residential and commercial development, but would restrict the height and density of those projects.

Thor Nelson, an architect with the Baltimore City Department of Planning, confirmed that the city is urging mixed-use developments for the southern portion of Key Highway on both sides of the road.

"There would be no remaining industrial properties in the plan," Nelson said. That plan is expected to be presented to the Baltimore City Planning Commission and City Council within 45 days.

Already, a large swath of land along Key Highway is being shaped into the Ritz-Carlton Residences, a 180-unit condominium project spearheaded by Midtown Baltimore LLC.

StevenW

April 17th, 2006, 12:09 PM

Businesses growing throughout the city
PDF | Email
Chet Dembeck, The Examiner
Apr 17, 2006 7:00 AM (1 hr 53 mins ago)

BALTIMORE - Trying to figure out what comes first, residential or commercial development, is like trying to determine what comes first, the chicken or the egg.

In the 1980s, the commercial redevelopment of the Inner Harbor created new interest in Baltimore, which attracted new residents.

In truth, residential and commercial development appear to feed on each other.

Although the city is still backing such projects as the convention center hotel with public funds, today 80 percent of Baltimore’s economic development is being fueled from the growth of small, neighborhood businesses, said Jay Brodie, president of the Baltimore Development Corp.

“We’ve had 18 new grocery stores open in the city,” he said.

In addition to developing a climate where new businesses will open, Brodie said the city is doing everything in its power to keep existing businesses in place. This includes cutting through red tape and sometimes offering economic incentives, he said.

While there is still massive downtown renovation during this second renewal of Baltimore, it is moving westward and integrating new construction with older structures, rather than just razing and rebuilding.

Brodie points to the city’s Centerpoint Project, an older building across the street from the fully renovated Hippodrome Theatre, as an example of taking an old building and transforming it into new retail and residential space.

EASTSIDE DEVELOPMENT ATTRACTS INVESTMENT

But something new has been added to the mix.

At a press conference last week, Mayor Martin O’Malley said Baltimore’s renaissance is attracting developers from other states.

The expansion of Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center is one of the reasons Vienna, Va.-based developer KSI Services Inc. decided to start a project in Baltimore for the first time, said Christopher LoPiano, KSI senior project manager. “We see a lot of high-paying, federal-grade jobs coming to the area,” he said.

RSI plans to invest $200 million in the 14 acres of industrial land off Oldham Street in the Greektown neighborhood. The company will build 1,085 residential units, including town houses and condominiums and a small amount of retail space.

Over the next four days in the Business section, The Examiner will explore how the pieces of Baltimore’s second boom will come together and affect the lives of city residents.

Baltimore City

Population: 651,154

Median home price: $120,000

Average household income: $36,965

Number of businesses: 13,800

Average rental for Class A office space: $23 per square foot

Top Five Employers:

Johns Hopkins University: 24,761

Johns Hopkins Health System: 15,804

University of Maryland Medical System: 10,737

Lifebridge Health — Sinai: 3,242

St. Agnes Healthcare: 3,100

Source: Live Baltimore; Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development; Baltimore Development Corp.

cdembeck@baltimoreexaminer.com

Examiner

StevenW

April 17th, 2006, 12:13 PM

Repopulating Baltimore one house at a time
PDF | Email
Chet Dembeck, The Examiner
Apr 17, 2006 7:00 AM (1 hr 50 mins ago)

BALTIMORE - Baltimore is being repopulated one house at a time.

The flight of residents from the city is slowing down and appears to be reversing due to lower crime, aggressive city redevelopment and the efforts of industrious community activists.

From 1990 to 2000, the city lost 11.5 percent of its population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But from 2000 to 2005, Baltimore's population of about 636,000 only decreased 2.4 percent. In some cases, the repopulation of some city neighborhoods wasn’t counted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Baltimore Department of Planning has been carefully monitoring the city’s repopulation and has successfully challenged Census Bureau numbers for 2001, 2003 and 2004, said Otis Rolley III, the city’s director of planning.

The city’s numbers prevailed by tallying building permits and dwellings and then calculating the number of people in an average household using the latest census data.

The task of turning around the flight of residents from the city is a chore shared by all agencies, particularly Baltimore’s Development Corp.

Jay Brodie, president of the Development Corp., believes the city’s focus on renovating neighborhoods, its location and the hot real estate market are reasons for fewer people leaving. He also believes the city is experiencing a second boom since the 1980 completion of the Inner Harbor that is attracting more residents.

“Because we are close to the port and D.C., we are well-positioned to repopulate Baltimore,” Brodie said. The city’s long-term goal – to attract an additional 200,000 residents – is not impossible, he added.

Brodie siad this will happen as younger, educated people move to the city to fill high-paying jobs being created by such projects as the $2.5 million National Institutes of Health Biomedical Research Center under construction on the Johns Hopkins Bayview campus.

“These younger people don’t have the baggage some others have about living in Baltimore,” Brodie said.

ONE NEIGHBORHOOD AT A TIME

While some might think such talk overly optimistic, communities throughout Baltimore are experiencing a renaissance brought about by a pioneering spirit, city policies and hard work.

Ed Rutkowski, executive director of the Patterson Park Community Development Corp., is a prime example. He formed the nonprofit corporation, which began to buy and renovate vacant houses. Since then, Rutkowski’s organization has bought and sold 175 renovated row houses and leased 165 renovated rental properties.

POLICY JUMP-START

While the success of the neighborhood’s revitalization program is a reality, a change in city policy about four years ago helped to jump-start the renewal, Rutkowski said.

“This is when the city lifted income restrictions on the money it made available to attract people to the neighborhood,” he said.

These are funds given to a prospective homeowner in the form of an interest-free second mortgage, which they never have to pay back.

Before the policy change, such money was earmarked only for those earning less than 80 percent of median income, he said.

The change immediately increased the number of those interested in migrating to the city, Rutkowski said.

As a result, the neighborhood continues to grow, and new residents are buying houses without the incentives.

NEW DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

The desire to transform neighborhoods from blocks of boarded-up houses into flourishing communities sparked the strategy of removing income restrictions from the program, said Baltimore Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano.

“Our development strategy is to build on our strengths with limited resources,” he said.

At the same time, Graziano said the city is committed to developing affordable housing.

Mayor Martin O’Malley credits much of Baltimore's second boom to his policies and the hard work of city residents.

“We are on an upward climb instead of a downward spiral,” O’Malley said at a news conference last week.

At the news conference, O’Malley told The Examiner that the city had $59 million set aside in a trust fund to help renovate properties throughout the city. “We added $6.2 million this year,” he said.

O’Malley is also asking the City Council to earmark $5 million from the city's surplus to pay for demolition for the New East Baltimore Partnership project. When completed, this would include up to 1,500 new and rehabilitated houses and new green space. Up to 8,000 new jobs and new retail uses are projected in East Baltimore, building on existing retail opportunities along Monument Street and Broadway. O’Malley said that the city is on its way to “repopulation” and that it will benefit from upcoming military base realignments.

SECOND BOOM

Charlie Duff, executive director of the Midtown Development Corp., also said the city is in the midst of a second boom.

“The first boom was largely about tourism and did a small amount of neighborhood revitalization,” he said. “This boom is three times bigger.”

While Duff agrees that the city’s policy of removing income limits from some of its homebuying programs sparked interest in the neighborhoods of Mount Vernon, Charles North and Bolton Hill, he says lower city crime rates are the main catalyst.

Duff credits O’Malley for making safer streets, but he also said the influx of new residents keep them safe. “The number and weight [of the neighborhoods] have hit critical mass,” Duff said. “It's [gotten] big enough to be safe.”

Aside from its proximity to mass transit and art, these neighborhoods are attracting new residents because of rising construction costs, said Duff. “There's a big hike in construction material. It takes less material to renovate.”

Once a city neighborhood develops into a community, people take charge of their surroundings, he said. Instead of letting a vacant building on the corner of Charles and Read streets be demolished and turned into a parking lot, 17 neighbors raised $600,000 and purchased and renovated it, Duff said. “It’s been converted into six apartments and a store.”

cdembeck@baltimoreexaminer.com

Examiner

wada_guy

April 17th, 2006, 01:52 PM

Hey.. don't diss the MD flag.. its awesome

:gunz:
Ditto! It's a 100% improivement over the horrid green and blue, then just blue, stripes that used be be on our transit vehicles. Bring on the flag.

There is no progess at all on the Super Fresh that was supposed to locate at Charles and Saratoga Streets. I looked in the window. Something obviously has stopped that project dead in it's tracks, or it never really started. I wonder if they even had a signed lease?

The First Mariner Bank, across the street is open and it looks GREAT! They splurged for exterior brass doors and lighting fixtures.

The Johnson (Profesional) Building conversion to apartments at Charles and Pleasant Streets is coming along nicely. They have installed all new dark green windows on the 7 or 8 story property. It looks 100% better than the old 1950's aluminium replacement windows that were there before.

There are new luxury apts available on the same block of Charles above Copra. In fact it looks like most of the upper floors in this very long block have been, or are currently being, converted to middle class/upper income housing. The McDowell building, the Woman's Industrial exchange, Johnson Building, and the floors above the First Mariner Bank structures have already been done.

Of course, all this is happening 300 feet away from the Rochambaeu where the Church says it "doesn't make economic sense" to save that structure. Bull Crap.

wada_guy

April 17th, 2006, 02:23 PM

I think the Green line study has to do with all of the jobs expected to arrive with the Base Realignment. That corridor is going to get very busy. Also, while MARC serves this corridor, it is getting more strained every day and has basically no room for expansion due to not owning their own rails. You're definitely right that Baltimore continues to stand in line outside the door for crumbs. My guess is that we will get more of the good stuff when the DC suburbs annex us. That's starting already, which is why the MARC is so busy. I don't worry too much about getting bitter since I go to DC with some regularity and while they get most of the goodies, getting around here is still much easier in my north city haven in Bawlamer. I'd much rather live here and go to DC when necessary, even if they have more subways.
I have an office at 14th and L streets and I go to there often too. I've observed that the MARC trains run from Baltimore to DC packed, and then return half empty. Why can't they be full both ways? Isn't that the goal? And isn't that the direction that all the new people are coming from?

The jobs going to Fort Meade are coming from Crystal City VA. The jobs going to Aberdean are coming from Fort Mamonth NJ. Most of the people going to Fort Meade already live in the Washington Area. Let them take the MARC train like I did for years. Then the trains can be crowded both ways which to me seems like what a transit agency would strive for. If it was good enough for me, it should be good enough for them.

Also, if track capacity is the issue, why not strike a deal with AMTRAK and build another track? There are all ready 3 of them. Add a fourth. It certainly would be cheaper than constructing a subway extension because the right of way width, bridges, and other infrastructure, are already there.

waj0527

April 17th, 2006, 04:29 PM

Is there a rendering of what [Center Plaza] will look like when it's all finished? :D

Sorry its so big.
http://mail.dpob.org/Development/images/0601.jpg

waj0527

April 17th, 2006, 04:39 PM

I LOVE to read stuff like this!
----------------------------------------------------------
Tourism & Hospitality
N.Y. art dealer opening city gallery
Baltimore Business Journal - April 14, 2006by Julekha DashStaff
Print this Article Email this Article Reprints RSS Feeds Most Viewed Most Emailed
A New York art appraiser and dealer has teamed up with a Baltimore art gallery owner to open a new fine arts gallery on the west side with pieces starting at $1,000.

University of Maryland graduate Ann Priftis wanted to capitalize on the city's growing upscale residential developments, which has left many new condominium and home owners with blank walls that need sprucing up.

Brought to you by Cingular Priftis and Jeffrey Kent, owner of Sub-Basement Artist Studios on Howard Street, want to open a 6,400-square-foot gallery by fall, called Clark Kent and Associates Fine Art. The gallery will specialize in large-format original art, including photographs, paintings, drawings and sculpture that are four to six feet tall. The gallery owners will target both individuals and corporations as clients.

Baltimore's west side has undergone a renaissance in recent years with the addition of the Hippodrome theater and downtown's sole standalone Starbucks. But is it ready to house an original 1930 photograph by Alfred Stieglitz and works of art that sell for six figures?

Priftis, thinks so.

"The market for art is here," said Priftis who knows many Baltimore residents who make the trek to the Big Apple to buy art. "We want to show that we support the rehabilitation of that side of town. The improvements being made are really drastic."

The business owners plan to pour at least $50,000 in marketing in the first year to advertise in national art magazines. Priftis declined to disclose how much the pair are investing in the new business. Both Priftis and Kent plan to retain their existing businesses. Priftis, who opened an office on Charles Street in September, maintains an office in New York's financial district. The pair offer art consulting services for corporate clients who wish to purchase contemporary abstract art for their buildings, Kent said. Clients include FTI Consulting Inc. and west side complex Centerpoint.

Eventually, the pair would like to open a second gallery in East Baltimore.

News & notes
The Walters Art Museum will hire a planning firm in the next six months to help the museum craft a masterplan, said Director Gary Vikan. The masterplan, the museum's first in 11 years, was needed after the museum bought an adjacent building, which houses the Contemporary Museum, for $1.5 million in November. The museum also wants to assess whether it is using its existing space most effectively and how it can serve the city and state better, Vikan said. To that end, museum officials will conduct an audience analysis, surveying its own staff, members and residents in the neighborhood.

East Coast Volleyball Inc. is holding its Northeast Qualifier in the Baltimore Convention Center April 15-17. The event will attract 6,600 attendees who will spend $6.2 million, according to estimates from the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association.

Gsol

April 17th, 2006, 04:41 PM

Hey.. don't diss the MD flag.. its awesome

:gunz:

Sorry guys. My intent wasn't to dis the state flag. I just thought using it in the new paint scheme on transit vehicles is unattractive. I think by splattering it in exaggerating fashion over each vehicle disrespects the flag. The former white with blue stripe scheme looked aesthetically more pleasing. I apologize if any one was offended. Just offering my critique.

JAB323

April 17th, 2006, 05:48 PM

Maryland has the most historic and unique flag around. It's way better than the traditional blue flags of pretty much every other state. Maryland, represent. ;)

scando

April 17th, 2006, 08:31 PM

...There is no progess at all on the Super Fresh that was supposed to locate at Charles and Saratoga Streets. I looked in the window. Something obviously has stopped that project dead in it's tracks, or it never really started. I wonder if they even had a signed lease?

The First Mariner Bank, across the street is open and it looks GREAT! They splurged for exterior brass doors and lighting fixtures.

I eat in that food court on a weekly basis and have made a habit of window peering. Work has been going on in the food court and the Superfresh location but at a truly glacial pace. In the food court, where pizza and pretzels are the only stalls open, the sign announces several more tenants to arrive in summer of 05. Periodically there are workers installing exhaust ductwork and wiring for kitchen equipment, but they seem to be there about 1 day per week. In the Superfresh site, they have stripped the interior and today the door was propped open, lights on, but nobody working. Now and again I see workers coming and going but Southern Management appears to operate on its own time scale.

One the same corner, however, asbestos removal is proceeding in the Fidelity building and the old BGE building. As previously noted, earth moving equipment is scurrying around Center Plaza. I guess this is all coming along.

Maudibjr

April 17th, 2006, 10:35 PM

Top Five Employers:

Johns Hopkins University: 24,761

Johns Hopkins Health System: 15,804

University of Maryland Medical System: 10,737

Lifebridge Health — Sinai: 3,242

St. Agnes Healthcare: 3,100

Source: Live Baltimore; Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development; Baltimore Development Corp.

I knew that JHU was the biggest employeer in the city, But I had no idea that the remaining top 4 were all health related.
:carrot:
As I beleive Wada_guy has pointed out these are true assets to the city as they are very unlikely to pick up and leave.

vivo

April 17th, 2006, 10:58 PM

I read comment(s) on beyonddc.com(believe silverspringer is on there) that the purple line would be a better investment than the green line. thoughts?

StevenW

April 17th, 2006, 11:38 PM

waj, THANK YOU man! Awesome Center Plaza rendering! It's going to look fantastic! :)
And, I love that new art gallery coming to B-more. Great news! :D

StevenW

April 17th, 2006, 11:40 PM

jeremai

April 17th, 2006, 11:43 PM

Sorry guys. My intent wasn't to dis the state flag. I just thought using it in the new paint scheme on transit vehicles is unattractive. I think by splattering it in exaggerating fashion over each vehicle disrespects the flag. The former white with blue stripe scheme looked aesthetically more pleasing. I apologize if any one was offended. Just offering my critique.

IMHO, the blue stripe and old MTA logo now look very dated when compared to the bold new MTA lettering and flag on an unspoiled white background. However, I don't think it's the best transportation identity in the world by a long shot! I would love to see some kind of graphic element that makes the system instantly identifiable like the London Underground roundel, Paris Metro wave, or - to some extent - the DC Metro "M" (though "M" inside a square or circle is pretty common and tired). Ideas I've had in the past include a stylized B (for Baltimore); imagine everyone saying they are going to "ride the B", as Bostonians "ride the T". I think the whole system needs something like that to tie it together, especially if they're going to add BRT to the mix of light rail, subway and bus.

StevenW

April 17th, 2006, 11:44 PM

Ditto! It's a 100% improivement over the horrid green and blue, then just blue, stripes that used be be on our transit vehicles. Bring on the flag.

There is no progess at all on the Super Fresh that was supposed to locate at Charles and Saratoga Streets. I looked in the window. Something obviously has stopped that project dead in it's tracks, or it never really started. I wonder if they even had a signed lease?

The First Mariner Bank, across the street is open and it looks GREAT! They splurged for exterior brass doors and lighting fixtures.

The Johnson (Profesional) Building conversion to apartments at Charles and Pleasant Streets is coming along nicely. They have installed all new dark green windows on the 7 or 8 story property. It looks 100% better than the old 1950's aluminium replacement windows that were there before.

There are new luxury apts available on the same block of Charles above Copra. In fact it looks like most of the upper floors in this very long block have been, or are currently being, converted to middle class/upper income housing. The McDowell building, the Woman's Industrial exchange, Johnson Building, and the floors above the First Mariner Bank structures have already been done.

Of course, all this is happening 300 feet away from the Rochambaeu where the Church says it "doesn't make economic sense" to save that structure. Bull Crap.
I hate it that the Rochambaeu is coming down. :(

wada_guy

April 18th, 2006, 12:47 AM

:cheers: Break out the booze and have a toast. We have passed the 200 building mark at Emporis. We are now up to 2006 structures! Also, my Emporis contact told me that he has updated our Hilton to "Under Construction".

BTW, I was wondering why Emporis' definition of "Under Construction" is that there has to be foundation work being done, so I asked why. I was told they took the "conservative approach" because there were projects announced in Asia and the only things that were ever built were the holes in the ground. I suppose since they are a world wide site, that makes sense.

The Emporis guy who works on the Baltimore data is from Minneapolis and we owe him a great big THANKS for trying to get our data correct. They have no local editor. He is a volunteer and reads our postings on this site on a regular basis.

I DO NOT have permission to give out his contact information, so I won't. God knows that with all the forum members in Baltimore he would be overwelmed with e-mails. But I think we would all agree that things on that site, with regard to Baltimore, have improved greatly during the past year. I think I can safely say THANKS AGAIN to him from all of the Baltimore Development Forum members! :wink2:

MasonsInquiries

April 18th, 2006, 12:52 AM

waj, THANK YOU man! Awesome Center Plaza rendering! It's going to look fantastic! :)
And, I love that new art gallery coming to B-more. Great news! :D
Yep, the center plaza's going look very exciting. I can't wait until it's all done.

DCKenny

April 18th, 2006, 01:07 AM

Good news!!

StevenW

April 18th, 2006, 02:09 AM

StevenW

April 18th, 2006, 02:17 AM

Another thing, Why isn't Cityscape mentioned on Emporis? :? :? :?
I mean, it's a tall tower set to rise right in the heart of the cbd. :? :? :?
Mr. contact? ............ ?

southbalto

April 18th, 2006, 03:22 AM

StevenW

Fill me in on this cityscape thing. I've been reading about it on here but havent seen the details....Which block is it to go in? What use?

I checked out west shore park today. I was curious to see what finishing material they are using for the paths....It looks like they are using an octogon like stone...it may be a synthetic stone or some sort of recycled material. I'm just glad they didnt use concrete......

some pictures from today

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c11/mturner125/DSC02419.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c11/mturner125/DSC02421.jpg

StevenW

April 18th, 2006, 04:15 AM

^^ Thanks for the pix.
uh, cityscape is going right behind 100 and 200 east pratt street towers. It will be 25 floors on top of a 10 story garage, I think. It may be just 25 stories all together. It will be an apartment building with parking and retail. A picture was posted not too long ago on this forum. I'll try to find it.
:)

StevenW

April 18th, 2006, 04:20 AM

Here it is:
http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/4853/untitled12kr.jpg
Cityscape (Calvert/Mercer/Lombard)
Developer Mark Sapperstein
Total Project Investment $71,000,000 estimate

Total Square Footage 400,000
Retail 6,500

Residential Units 300
Parking Spaces 542

--------

Thanks to "fluffyhorse!"
:D There you go! ;)

StevenW

April 18th, 2006, 04:25 AM

^^ It does look to be around 25 stories with some sort of elevated top. I'd guess the tower, (if built), will be probably around 300 to 330 ft. tall. Just guessing from THAT rendering. I'd hoped that they would have built higher. A tower in THAT location deserves a taller tower, IMO. I'd say around 40 to 45 stories wouldn't be out of the question, IMO. :D

sdeclue

April 18th, 2006, 04:30 AM

Yeah I'd love to see a new tall rise out of the CBD. We need to get 10 Inner Harbor going already!!

PeterSmith

April 18th, 2006, 04:48 AM

SoBoChris

April 18th, 2006, 05:13 AM

Maryland has the most historic and unique flag around. It's way better than the traditional blue flags of pretty much every other state. Maryland, represent. ;)

I agree. Our state flag is, by comparison to the other 49, in my opinion the most attractive and true to its origin. Then again, I may just be bias!

SoBoChris

April 18th, 2006, 05:17 AM

Yes, "Thank You" Mr. Contact! ;) :)
It is kind of sad though that there are not any local editors for Baltimore for Emporis. I'll have to check out the site soon. :)

I contacted emporis a few months ago as a potential photographer, but they weren't interested in my work. Oh well!

scando

April 18th, 2006, 05:20 AM

BTW, I may have asked this before, but... where is the nearest Thomas Kinkade gallery in Baltimore? :? I love his stuff. Got one of his paintings. It's the Golden Gate Bridge. Awesome. His paintings go up in value pretty quickly, too. :D

There used to be one in Harborplace but it closed. I think there is a store that sells his paintings in Arundel Mills.

scando

April 18th, 2006, 05:26 AM

I knew that JHU was the biggest employeer in the city, But I had no idea that the remaining top 4 were all health related.
:carrot:
As I beleive Wada_guy has pointed out these are true assets to the city as they are very unlikely to pick up and leave.

Johns Hopkins University: 24,761

Johns Hopkins Health System: 15,804

University of Maryland Medical System: 10,737

Lifebridge Health — Sinai: 3,242

St. Agnes Healthcare: 3,100

These figures don't seem quite right. A recent article said that there are 3500 State employees in the Preston St complex. Add in the Shaffer Building, SHA on calvert St, DHR on Howard, several other agencies in Redwood Tower and Education on Baltimore St and it seems that the State should be #4, probably #3 if you include the University.

scando

April 18th, 2006, 05:41 AM

I agree. Our state flag is, by comparison to the other 49, in my opinion the most attractive and true to its origin. Then again, I may just be bias!

In spite of its medieval look, the MD flag was adopted in the early 20th century. According to the State Archives:

Maryland's flag bears the arms of the Calvert and Crossland families. Calvert was the family name of the Lords Baltimore who founded Maryland, and their colors of gold and black appear in the first and fourth quarters of the flag. Crossland was the family of the mother of George Calvert, first Lord Baltimore. The red and white Crossland colors, with a cross bottony, appear in the second and third quarters. This flag first was flown October 11, 1880, in Baltimore at a parade marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of Baltimore. It also was flown October 25, 1888, at Gettysburg Battlefield for ceremonies dedicating monuments to Maryland regiments of the Army of the Potomac. Officially, it was adopted as the State flag in 1904 (Chapter 48, Acts of 1904, effective March 9, 1904).

SoBoChris

April 18th, 2006, 07:03 AM

In spite of its medieval look, the MD flag was adopted in the early 20th century. According to the State Archives:

Maryland's flag bears the arms of the Calvert and Crossland families. Calvert was the family name of the Lords Baltimore who founded Maryland, and their colors of gold and black appear in the first and fourth quarters of the flag. Crossland was the family of the mother of George Calvert, first Lord Baltimore. The red and white Crossland colors, with a cross bottony, appear in the second and third quarters. This flag first was flown October 11, 1880, in Baltimore at a parade marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of Baltimore. It also was flown October 25, 1888, at Gettysburg Battlefield for ceremonies dedicating monuments to Maryland regiments of the Army of the Potomac. Officially, it was adopted as the State flag in 1904 (Chapter 48, Acts of 1904, effective March 9, 1904).

Exactly!

BaltimoreDeb

April 18th, 2006, 07:41 AM

[QUOTE=StevenW]Hale, KSI part ways on projects
Baltimore Business Journal - April 14, 2006by Heather HarlanStaff

KSI Services Inc., a Virginia development company, and local banker Edwin F. Hale Sr. have severed ties on two massive real estate projects in East Baltimore.

The Vienna, Va., outfit originally had teamed up with Hale, CEO of First Mariner Bank and head of Hale Properties, to develop a portion of Canton Crossing and 14 acres of industrial land in "Greektown."

But Christopher LoPiano, a senior project executive for KSI, said the two companies are no longer partnering on Canton Crossing, a residential and commercial endeavor, or the planned Greektown residential development.

Instead, LoPiano said, Hale solely will handle Canton Crossing and KSI will spearhead the Greektown project. Hale could not be reached for comment.

<snip>

Ah, yes, this is what I had heard, from my contractor. I would not be surprised to see funding for the Greektown project, through 1st Mariner. Remains to be seen, though.

I am so waiting to see this get off the ground! :applause:

BaltimoreDeb

April 18th, 2006, 07:45 AM

I knew that JHU was the biggest employeer in the city, But I had no idea that the remaining top 4 were all health related.
:carrot:
As I beleive Wada_guy has pointed out these are true assets to the city as they are very unlikely to pick up and leave.

Don't forget that Baltimore is home to two world-class investment firms: T. Rowe Price and Legg Mason . . . they're not likely to go anywhere, either.

JAB323

April 18th, 2006, 01:38 PM

wada_guy

April 18th, 2006, 02:15 PM

some pictures from today

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c11/mturner125/DSC02419.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c11/mturner125/DSC02421.jpg
Very nice pictures southbalto. Did they shoot off any canons?

It is hard to believe that those little sail boats cost millions of dollars each. They look like the inexpensive (a relative term) ones you see on the Magothy or Severn rivers.

wada_guy

April 18th, 2006, 02:23 PM

Another thing, Why isn't Cityscape mentioned on Emporis? :? :? :?
I mean, it's a tall tower set to rise right in the heart of the cbd. :? :? :?
Mr. contact? ............ ?
He mentioned in an e-mail to me that he was going on vacation soon. If it doesn't show up on in Emporis in a couple of weeks, I'll forward to him what you wrote but I suspect I won't have to. He is pretty good at keeping up on all the new projects. ;)

As an aside, with the amount of deveolpemt that is going on here, I think we have a good shot at hitting thier top 100 list! (see below)

http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/sk/st/sr/

wada_guy

April 18th, 2006, 02:33 PM

A VIEW OF THE NEW HOPKINS BIO-PARK BUILDING

http://www.jhu.edu/~gazette/2006/17apr06/images/17exter.jpg
A New Era Begins in East Baltimore

The John G. Rangos Sr. Building at 855 N. Wolfe St., set to open in 2008, will be the first structure in the Science and Technology Park at Johns Hopkins.
PHOTO COURTESY OF FOREST CITY ENTERPRISES
Ceremony marks start of Science, Technology Park

By Greg Rienzi
The Gazette

State, local and university officials will unite in East Baltimore today to celebrate the groundbreaking of the much anticipated new Science and Technology Park at Johns Hopkins, a cutting-edge mixed-use development project located just north of the medical campus. The project is part of the larger East Baltimore Development Initiative, an extensive 80-acre, $850 million redevelopment effort that was announced in 2002.

More than 200 attendees will welcome the start of construction on the first of five office/research buildings to form the research park. The new building, located at 855 N. Wolfe St., will be named the John G. Rangos Sr. Building to honor the $10 million commitment from the John G. Rangos Sr. Family Charitable Foundation that is to be announced today, The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Ashland Avenue and North Wolfe Street. In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the lower concourse of the Broadway Research Building, where a model of the East Baltimore Development Initiative is located.

Officials expected at the groundbreaking ceremony include Gov. Robert Ehrlich, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Mayor Martin O'Malley and Rep. Elijah Cummings. The list of Johns Hopkins officials scheduled to speak includes President William R. Brody and Edward Miller, dean of the medical faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine. The goals of the Science and Technology Park at Johns Hopkins are to bring new economic drivers to the city and to stabilize and recreate that portion of the East Baltimore community. The entire 80-acre redevelopment parcel is bounded by East Chase, Washington and East Madison streets and North Broadway.

Initially, the project will create 1.1 million square feet of life sciences research and office space, 1,000 residential units, structured parking facilities and a broad variety of retail services. A network of parks and pedestrian paths will knit the development together and link it with the adjacent Johns Hopkins campus.

The seven-story glass-skinned Rangos Building, designed by Elkus/Manfredi Architects with associate architect Gaudreau Inc., will be located on the corner of Ashland Avenue and North Wolfe Street. The School of Medicine's Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences will anchor the building and be its lead tenant. It will connect to university research facilities via a skybridge across East Madison Street.

"Johns Hopkins is committed, with many other dedicated partners, to ensuring the revitalization of East Baltimore," President Brody said. "John Rangos' extraordinary gift will help create breakthroughs in medical science. And with today's groundbreaking, we are assuring that those advances will take place in a building that, in itself, will be part of a breakthrough in the life of this community."

The aim is for Johns Hopkins and nearby state and governmental research facilities to serve as magnets to attract both emergent and established companies. The park will provide traditional laboratory and office space and also build-to-suit options for biological research companies, small-scale manufacturing firms, pharmaceutical firms and other businesses related to the biotech industry. The site will feature reconfigured, attractive streets and sidewalks that are in keeping with traditional city architecture.

The housing to be built will include a range of affordable and market-rate units, both for sale and for rent. The Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences, which will take up two floors of the Rangos Building, will offer a full range of its research facilities and equipment — including a microarray core, mass spectrometry and a minimally invasive surgical training center — to other tenants of the park.

The Forest City-New East Baltimore Partnership, a joint venture of Forest City Enterprises of Cleveland and Presidential Partners, a consortium of local minority developers, will develop the first 31-acre phase of the initiative. East Baltimore Development Inc., a nonprofit organization charged with leading and managing the revitalization of the area, will oversee the implementation of the entire 80-acre redevelopment. The Rangos Building is expected to be completed in early 2008. Peter Calkins, a project manager for Forest City Enterprises, said that market interest will dictate the timetable of the park's total buildout.

wada_guy

April 18th, 2006, 03:27 PM

Don't forget that Baltimore is home to two world-class investment firms: T. Rowe Price and Legg Mason . . . they're not likely to go anywhere, either.
Don't be so sure about that. I thought the same thing about Alex Brown and it is now HISTORY. And I felt the same thing about USF&G and it is now HISTORY. And then there is Crown Cork and Seal, Monumental Insurance Company, Commercial Credit (NAC Charge Card), The Rouse Company, Prime Retail, PH&H, Crown Oil Company, Maryland National Bank, First National Bank, Equitable Bank, MNB Credit Card, The Hecht Co, Stewarts, Hutzlers, Hoschild Kohn, The Baltimore Colts, The Baltimore Bullets, etc.....

Both of the firms you speak of are in the process of getting new management because the top guys are in the process of, or have already, left. You never know what the new heads will do.

By the way, the head of Constellation Energy, who is currently trying to sell that company to Florida Light and Power, was the person responsible for selling Alex Brown to Deutchebank. They should run him out of town. I hope he takes his millions and retires to Palm Beach or something. By the time he is done, we won't have anything left. He'd sell his mother if he thought he could make a buck. It's always all about money.

Legg Mason http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/investing/bal-bz.legg24mar24,0,3127583.story?coll=bal-investing-headlines

T. Rowe Price http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.asp?Feed=PR&Date=20060316&ID=5579455&Symbol=US:TROW

CHECK THIS OUT - SOMEBODY HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR!
http://www.daviddeboy.com/bawlamerese.html

southbalto

April 18th, 2006, 03:34 PM

Yep, you can see the smoke (lower left) in the second picture. The crew and support jumped off the boat as soon as it arrived. ABN AMRO ONE jerseys everywhere.

tonyBmore

April 18th, 2006, 10:10 PM

Hey gang, a little off topic, but does anyone know if there will or will not be a public promenade extending around the Ritz? I was talking to my neighbor (a former city councilman, now a judge) and he said the public promenade has been axed from the plan. I hope that's not the case, but he usually gets the scoop for me.
Secondly, what's going on the corner that sits across from the Royal Farm on Key Highway? It use to be a gas station, but they leveled that baby.
Lastly, someone brought up "10 Inner Harbor" and I wanted to share this email I received from ARCWheeler not long ago.

Dear Tony,
Thank you for your kind support of our project in Baltimore! Right now
we are in very preliminary stages of design and I do not have any
information as of yet to answer your questions. Please check the
website time and again, as we will update the information as we move
forward.
Have a great weekend!
Jill

Jill Johnson
Director of Operations
ARCWheeler
30 S. 17th Street, Suite 1620
Philadelphia, PA 19103
P(215) 825-7718

Talk about a buzzkill!

tonyBmore

April 18th, 2006, 10:11 PM

I want to clear up that I'm talking about the Ritz-Carlton and not The Ritz on Broadway.

Eerik

April 18th, 2006, 10:32 PM

Don't be so sure about that. I thought the same thing about Alex Brown and it is now HISTORY. And I felt the same thing about USF&G and it is now HISTORY. And then there is Crown Cork and Seal, Monumental Insurance Company, Commercial Credit (NAC Charge Card), The Rouse Company, Prime Retail, PH&H, Crown Oil Company, Maryland National Bank, First National Bank, Equitable Bank, MNB Credit Card, The Hecht Co, Stewarts, Hutzlers, Hoschild Kohn, The Baltimore Colts, The Baltimore Bullets, etc.....

Both of the firms you speak of are in the process of getting new management because the top guys are in the process of, or have already, left. You never know what the new heads will do.

By the way, the head of Constellation Energy, who is currently trying to sell that company to Florida Light and Power, was the person responsible for selling Alex Brown to Deutchebank. They should run him out of town. I hope he takes his millions and retires to Palm Beach or something. By the time he is done, we won't have anything left. He'd sell his mother if he thought he could make a buck. It's always all about money.

Legg Mason http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/investing/bal-bz.legg24mar24,0,3127583.story?coll=bal-investing-headlines

T. Rowe Price http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.asp?Feed=PR&Date=20060316&ID=5579455&Symbol=US:TROW

CHECK THIS OUT - SOMEBODY HAS A SENSE OF HUMOR!
http://www.daviddeboy.com/bawlamerese.html
The article states Hirschmann is moving to the area from Pasadena, California. To me, this is somewhat of a red flag: more often than not, the main criteria for where a company is located is where the leadership lives or resides, i.e. calls home. At least it's good to see he has "some" ties to the Baltimore area via family...

As for running Shattuck of Constellation out of town, here's something to chew on:

After A.B. "Buzzy" Krongard and Mayo Shattuck sold Alex.Brown Inc. to Bankers Trust Corporation in 1997, there was a great article in The Sun about the deal making process for the sale. At the time, rumors were swirling around Alex.Brown was being courted in merger talks. Obviously that was bad news, since it would drive up the price of shares. Meanwhile, while Krongard and Shattuck were trying to keep a lid on the rumors, they had to negotiate with Bankers Trust Corporation about the power-politic of such a deal, as well as compen$ation. In today's merger world, anything less than $10 billion is considered chump-change. But ten years ago, it was enough to drive "poor" Mayo nearly insane. The merger process dragged out for at least two years. By the time the deal was "sealed", Mayo was so shook-up that he had to retreat to the washroom so he could vomit; the ordeal had truly been gut wrenching.

As for the sale of Constellation, now may not be a bad time to see what other boards Mayo sits on in the Baltimore area. Mayo gained a seat on the Board of Constellation beginning in 1994 -- three years before the sale of Alex.Brown Inc. Another coincidence: keep in mind Constellation Energy, which is the modern incarnation of Baltimore Gas & Electric, is the direct descendant of America's first gas utility. Likewise, Alex.Brown Inc. was America's oldest investment banking firm.

...oh, and another coincidence. Krongard, after a brief stay with Bankers Trust, eventually became Executive Director of the US Central Intelligence Agency, starting his service in March 2001.

Not to start a conspiracy theory, but I would suggest anyone interested in learning more about Krongard and some of his past dealings to do a Google search with the keywords krongard "put options" and take look. As stated, yes, everything is about money...

Supposedly investigators did some snooping for signs of wrong-doing. I don't think anyone really thinks otherwise, but the irony is the Bankers Trust building in Manhattan ultimately took an indirect hit from that famous day.

As for the here an now, Krongard was appointed as an outside director to the Global Board of Directors in March 2005, which is organized to oversee worldwide operations of DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary. Keep in mind Piper has Baltimore roots...

StevenW

April 18th, 2006, 11:30 PM

^^ Scary.

sdeclue

April 18th, 2006, 11:40 PM

That email doesn't sound very good with regard to progress on 10 Inner Harbor. Sounds like that project is quite a ways away from getting started, probably no earlier than 6 months from now at this point.

Brian21

April 18th, 2006, 11:53 PM

^Well in an earlier post that SteveW posted, they did say that they are redesigning it somewhat and possibly even making it taller with a crown on top. So that will take time.

sdeclue

April 19th, 2006, 12:05 AM

Hey, if redesigning means making it taller, I hope they take their time. It will look fabulous when it's finally up. I just hope it doesn't look out of place with all the other 25-35 story towers in the CBD. Hopefully other 50-60 story towers start getting proposed.

StevenW

April 19th, 2006, 12:16 AM

^^ Yes, other towers probably will be proposed. 10 Inner Harbor will look dominating at any angle in Baltimore's skyline regardless. if it's 717 ft. tall or 900 ft. tall. Just as long as they do it right. Besides, it might even get other developers thinking about building bigger/taller and better/designs. :)
I mean, it's about time for Baltimore to have a "new" skyline, a new look. I'm ready for it! ;)
You? :)

waj0527

April 19th, 2006, 12:30 AM

A new look with more night lights. Im not saying we have to develop some sort of lighting scheme, but there should be more to look at than the BoA building at night.

sdeclue

April 19th, 2006, 12:31 AM

Hahahaha Oh for sure. I'm right there with you. I want our skyline to be right there with Philly and better than Boston. I think Baltimore has so much potential. I just hope overdeveloping the waterfront now with townhouses and shorter towers combined with height restrictions on the west side and then places like federall hill and mount vernon don't ruin the chances of really making the city something special.

StevenW

April 19th, 2006, 12:41 AM

sdeclue

April 19th, 2006, 12:56 AM

Certainly any new development is encouraging and helps make Baltimore better, but I'm most interested in the towers. That Cityscape project sure is being kept tight-lipped, as is that boutique hotel near Camden Yards behind the bars.

wada_guy

April 19th, 2006, 12:57 AM

^^ IMO, all of the development contributes to a better-looking Baltimore. I still think we are not through hearing about new proposals that are tall. :)
BTW, I e-mailed BDC and got Kimberly Clark. I asked her the status of the "Cityscape" project. Here is what she just told me:

"We will be meeting with the developer in the next few weeks to discuss the future of the project. Best to check back with me in a couple of weeks."

------------

Sounds interesting. :)
You can better believe that I'll be "checking back" with her. ;)
Well don't get your hopes up. There should be people living in the building by now! It's been in the works for what, 3 or 4 years. They have gotten extension after extension on the agreement they had with the city, and still nothing has happened.

It's a weak development team and I wouldn't hold my breath for them to build anything. At least they haven't created another parking lot, so that's good. I suspect the meeting is about taking the project away from them and rebidding the site. Over the past 3 years, banks have been falling over each other to finance residential at the harbor. If they couldn't get it built in that climate, I doubt they can get it built now when the banks are more cautious.

Perhaps Clark will get it next and things will move faster. YA THINK? ;)

wada_guy

April 19th, 2006, 01:23 AM

A new look with more night lights. Im not saying we have to develop some sort of lighting scheme, but there should be more to look at than the BoA building at night.
BINGO! I think they should create a district or two where NEON and gaudy signs are allowed and encouraged. Some suggestions would be Howard street from the Arena up to Franklin Street, or the Block area from the subway to Calvert Street.

I am serious when I say this. All the Asian cities, Las Vegas, and New York's Times Square look so alive! A lot of that energy, hustle, and bussle, comes from the signage.

Baltimore used to be like that too in the 50's. Then the city fathers outlawed them. Some of the good neon ones (China Doll, a cleaning company one with a sweeping broom) can still be found in museums in the city.

I would love to see a gaudy Times Square type area with tons of NEON and jumbotron signs. Stick the RCA Nipper dog right there with them.
http://www.rocketworld.org/citynight72.jpg

Note the Chrysler top in the background!
http://www.wirednewyork.com/hotels/hilton_times_square_hotel/images/hilton_times_square_night.jpg

fanofterps

April 19th, 2006, 01:43 AM

developer.

^^ IMO, all of the development contributes to a better-looking Baltimore. I still think we are not through hearing about new proposals that are tall. :)
BTW, I e-mailed BDC and got Kimberly Clark. I asked her the status of the "Cityscape" project. Here is what she just told me:

"We will be meeting with the developer in the next few weeks to discuss the future of the project. Best to check back with me in a couple of weeks."

------------

Sounds interesting. :)
You can better believe that I'll be "checking back" with her. ;)

Cockeysville, MD

April 19th, 2006, 02:01 AM

NaptownBoy

April 19th, 2006, 02:07 AM

^^I am flattered that you have a picture of the Chase Tower in Indianapolis as your avatar...:)
Looks like Baltimore is the place to be with all the developments going on.

Nino_B

April 19th, 2006, 03:34 AM

^^ BTW, I e-mailed BDC and got Kimberly Clark. I asked her the status of the "Cityscape" project. Here is what she just told me:

"We will be meeting with the developer in the next few weeks to discuss the future of the project. Best to check back with me in a couple of weeks."

------------

Sounds interesting. :)
You can better believe that I'll be "checking back" with her. ;)

Don't hold your breath. I've emailed both Mark Sapperstein and the architects Hord Coplan and Macht and have gotten no reply from either. My concern is about the fate of the old USF&G annex bldg just south of the rennovated old USF&G bldg which is now a Hampton Inn. Anybody got photos of these two buildings? I believe that the Annex with it's ornate stone front will come down for the "cityscape" project. I'd have preferred that they take down the Brookshire Suites instead but I'm afraid this is a lost cause.

StevenW

April 19th, 2006, 03:46 AM

Well don't get your hopes up. There should be people living in the building by now! It's been in the works for what, 3 or 4 years. They have gotten extension after extension on the agreement they had with the city, and still nothing has happened.

It's a weak development team and I wouldn't hold my breath for them to build anything. At least they haven't created another parking lot, so that's good. I suspect the meeting is about taking the project away from them and rebidding the site. Over the past 3 years, banks have been falling over each other to finance residential at the harbor. If they couldn't get it built in that climate, I doubt they can get it built now when the banks are more cautious.

Perhaps Clark will get it next and things will move faster. YA THINK? ;)
True... maybe. Maybe, they've been waiting to create something BIGGER!?
In the wake of the news of 300 east pratt turning hotel and NOT condo AND 10 Inner Harbor becoming the "IT" tower of Baltimore's future, then maybe they've went back to the drawing boards and come up with something much better and impressive. I mean, at that location a tower there should be at least 40 to 45 stories to be noticed. And from the weak renderings shown, the design is truely something left to be desired. One thing though, if they DON'T do anything with it, the property STILL has potential to be something BIG for some other developer. Ya know? :)

MasonsInquiries

April 19th, 2006, 03:50 AM

What Baltimore needs is an adequate tourist destination. Tourist destination= a lot of tourists= money.
Our tourism industry in Baltimore is an embarrasment. Other than the harbor, the USS Consellation, and our skyline, what else is there? We need to build more musuems, etc.
I have to STRONGLY disagree with u on the "museums" part. We have a civil war museum, a star-spangled banner museum, the B&O railroad museum, the national aquarium, the maryland science center, the peale museum, the walters art museum, the national museum of dentistry, the baltimore streetcar museum, the baltimore museum of art, the reginald f. lewis museum, the american visionary art museum, maritime museums all over the place, a public works museum, the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, the edgar allan poe museum, a holocaust museum (i think), the ports discovery kids museum, the great blacks in wax museum, the sports legends museum at camden yards, the lacrosse foundation hall of fame museum, and the list could go on & on. For a city the size that Baltimore is, I think we're doing just fine. Just give it time, Cockeysville. THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!!!!!!!! :okay:

Nino_B

April 19th, 2006, 03:54 AM

What Baltimore needs is an adequate tourist destination. Tourist destination= a lot of tourists= money.
Our tourism industry in Baltimore is an embarrasment. Other than the harbor, the USS Consellation, and our skyline, what else is there? We need to build more musuems, etc.

Interesting. What else does everyone think we need besides 'more museums' to compete with other major cities as a tourist destination? I think we already are competing. We have a number of places for tourists to visit besides the Inner Harbor pavillions and aquarium. There are many good museums (Walters, BMA, Visionary, Civil War, Mary Pickersgill, Industry, City Life [closed]) historical sites (Ft. McHenry, all of Fells Pt. etc.) and architectural wonders (Peabody Library, the Basillica, etc.) for people to visit but they are not well promoted and tourists just don't know about them. Maybe we need an Iconic symbol for the city like St. Louis with the Arch or New York with the Empire State Building.

sdeclue

April 19th, 2006, 04:03 AM

StevenW

April 19th, 2006, 04:34 AM

We desperately need a state of the art arena. Hopefully it could lure an NBA team here and also be the site for many concerts and other events. We are definitely missing out there and I have been holding out hope that any day plans for a new arena to be built will be announced.
Now there, I DO agree. Whole heartedly! A new arena would be wonderful.
As for the "iconic" symbol, I say yes, as long as it's not a generic/unmeaningful structure. St. Louis Arch represents something bigger than the structure it's self, you know? Why not a, "Statue of Bravery". Something like the Statue of Liberty, only this would represent how our country represented locally by Baltimoreans in 1812 took a stand against a seemingly undefeatable enemy. I mean, I know we have Ft. McHenry and the Flag and all. Why not build a very big and tall statue of a man/men and women making their stand against the foe? Make it a statue that is very detailed, out of quality stone. Make it very tall, because we want the world to know that the USA stands tall in the face of threat. I know I'm going into this maybe a little too deep, but I think you get my suggestion. :D

PeterSmith

April 19th, 2006, 05:14 AM

^^ In regards to your Statue of Bravery idea, Steven, I've always been intrigued by the Colossus of Rhodes, and have always thought that a similar idea would work well in Baltimore. The Colossus didn't serve a practical purpose, but was used to welcome sailors to the island of Rhodes. Something like this would work well in Baltimore because of the city's nautical past, not to mention the fact that since much of our population seems determined to move backwards in time rather than forwards, something from thousands of years ago might be right up their alley. It could also be used to pay homage to the city's Greek past. Perhaps it could be incorporated into the city's Locust Point memorial. I always thought it would be a cool idea. ANd for those of you who don't know what the Colossus of Rhodes is, here is a painting of it:

http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders/Gallery/colossus_color.jpg

tonyBmore

April 19th, 2006, 05:34 AM

I think (and I know there has been a greater effort as of late to do just this by BACVA) we need to advertise some of the assets that everyone has mentioned and not depend so much on the Inner Harbor. Everytime I get a chance to get up to Mt. Vernon or even Charles Village, I wonder how many visitors/tourists even know these areas exist. If people were to discover the charm and architecture in and around the Charles/St. Paul's Street corridor, I think they'd be amazed.
And one BIG OL' AMEN for getting a new arena. The Civic Center (as my dad still calls it) was a piece of garbage the second it opened. Had it been even servicable, not only would the Bullets still be here, but the Clippers would've have been on a direct path to NHL expansion.
One more thing while I'm ranting...someone mentioned the St. Louis Arch and how it symbolizes the gateway to the West. I've often wondered why we (Baltimore) haven't used our geographic locale as a sort of "gateway to the North AND South." Since most people from NY, NJ, PA, and New England think of us as a southern city and most folks in VA, NC, SC, etc. think of us as Yankees, why not use this to our advantage?

tonyBmore

April 19th, 2006, 05:36 AM

Remember several years back when someone proposed the Columbus statue? I think it was intended for the Middle Branch.

scando

April 19th, 2006, 05:38 AM

What Baltimore needs is an adequate tourist destination. Tourist destination= a lot of tourists= money.
Our tourism industry in Baltimore is an embarrasment. Other than the harbor, the USS Consellation, and our skyline, what else is there? We need to build more musuems, etc.

Baltimore already is a good tourist destination. We are on various lists of top ten destinations. Believe it or not, we attract more tourists than Disney World. If there is a weakness it is that most of our attractions attract mainly day trippers and school groups that don't spend a lot of money and stay overnight in the hotels for a lot of days. As has been mentioned, we already have lots of museums, probably as many as we are likely to get any time soon. What the city needs, both for locals and visitors is better shopping and night life. We need to keep more people here overnight, spending money.

scando

April 19th, 2006, 05:42 AM

Remember several years back when someone proposed the Columbus statue? I think it was intended for the Middle Branch.

I do remember that monster. It was to be bigger than the Statue of Liberty by about 10 feet and was so ugly that the sculptor was shopping around for somebody willing take the thing for free. I remember that everyone who saw a rendition of it thought that it was too ugly to deal with even if it was free. I think it had a huge Columbus, with the three ships.

scando

April 19th, 2006, 05:46 AM

tonyBmore

April 19th, 2006, 05:49 AM

Thats the one, Scando. I can remeber not knowing if I should have laughed or cried when I saw the rendering. Not accepting that atrocity was one of the few feathers in Schmoke's mayoral cap.

sdeclue

April 19th, 2006, 05:55 AM

StevenW

April 19th, 2006, 11:55 AM

http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders/Gallery/colossus_color.jpg
Yes! Exactly! But only replace the bow for a gun and the torch for a flag pole with the worlds largest Flag. :D Now that would be something.
As for the North/South idea, yeah there could be something to that. Erect a "Free State" tower. Add some other statues at the bottom portion of that tower that portray people of the South and people of the North glancing at each other with a statue of a "Free State" Baltimorean in between the two extending the hand of "bringing the two together" acting as a mediator and peace maker.

But, yes, new retail throughout the city is needed to "keep" people in Baltimore longer.

StevenW

April 19th, 2006, 12:04 PM

Troubled intersections at the heart of temporary ban on development
PDF | Email
Jaime Malarkey, The Examiner
Apr 19, 2006 7:00 AM (1 hr 57 mins ago)

Baltimore County - Two new building moratoriums in Baltimore County were established Tuesday as lawmakers downgraded intersections to the lowest possible service rating, heeding the complaints of residents who said they’re fed up with congestion.

The intersections of Harford and Joppa roads and Pulaski Highway and Middle River Road were given “F” ratings Tuesday, joining a list of six others where traffic is so bad, any future development that could exacerbate the problem has been banned. Moratoriums are lifted only after enough improvements are made to bring the rating to at least a “D” level, said Steve Weber of the county’s Bureau of Traffic Engineering and Transportation Planning.

Carney residents like Meg O’Hare lobbied County Council members to add the Harford and Joppa intersection to the list, and asked them to update the criteria used in annual evaluations.

“This is the major east-west road to avoid getting on the Beltway and [Interstate] 95,” O’Hare said. “The intersection was not designed for the traffic it’s handling. It’s just a mess.”

The county uses a 1960s-era technique to track how many cars are able to get through a green light in one cycle, a method that allows engineers to visually see problems, Weber said.

But many of the failing intersections include roads owned by the state, which evaluates intersections by counting the number of cars in one lane per hour.

State Highway Administration spokesman Charlie Gischlar said both of the intersections added to the county’s “F” list were already failing according to the state’s criteria — an average of 1,600 cars per hour.

But county traffic officials said they have no plans to change policy.

“We’re not proposing any changes to the methodology and we don’t see a need to change it,” Weber said.

He said many failing intersections can be improved with a simple time adjustment on traffic signals.

Others, however, like the Joppa Road and Loch Raven Boulevard intersection, require extensive improvements and can stay at the failing level for years.

Gischlar said the state has preliminary plans to improve the Pulaski Highway and Middle River Road, including adding a left-hand turn lane along westbound Pulaski, providing a third lane along eastbound Pulaski and creating two southbound turn lanes on Middle River.

The county also failed the Beltway and Liberty Road intersection, but officials said they expect adjusted signal timing to remedy the problem.

‘F’ RATED INTERSECTIONS

» Harford Road and Putty Hill Avenue

» Loch Raven Boulevard and Joppa Road

» York Road and Burke Avenue

» Falls Road and Seminary Avenue

» Falls and Greenspring Valley roads

» Falls and Joppa roads

» Pulaski Highway and Middle River Road

» Harford and Joppa roads

jmalarkey@baltimoreexaminer.com

Examiner

wada_guy

April 19th, 2006, 01:28 PM

wada_guy

April 19th, 2006, 01:36 PM

http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders/Gallery/colossus_color.jpg

Stick it in the middle of the harbor on Carroll Island, the old civil war fort visible from the Key Bridge. When I look at this, I feel as though I should be calling everyone "Comrade".

wada_guy

April 19th, 2006, 01:43 PM

Chubb signs 10-year deal with Montgomery Park
Insurance processor to add 250 employees

Montgomery Park's 1.27 Million Square Feet 60% Leased!
By JEN DEGREGORIO
Daily Record Business Writer

New Jersey-based Chubb Corp. announced yesterday that it would open an insurance-policy processing center in Baltimore’s Montgomery Park office building, the former Montgomery Ward catalog distribution center. Chubb Corp. yesterday announced a 10-year lease deal for 45,000 square feet at Baltimore’s MOntgomery Park office building, above, the former Montgomery Ward catalog distribution center. The company also plans to hire 250 new employees after the move.

The company signed a 10-year lease for 45,000 square feet in the Southwest Baltimore building, which sat vacant for nearly a decade before being rehabilitated in 2002 by Himmelrich Associates. Chubb plans to bring 250 employees to its new location, most of whom would be hired from the Baltimore region, said Chubb spokesman Mike Schussel.

Montgomery Park would consolidate processing employees from various Chubb offices along the East Coast, including one in downtown Baltimore with more than 90 employees. Those offices will remain open, Schussel said. “It’s fantastic for the city,” Andrew B. Frank, executive vice president of the Baltimore Development Corp., said of Chubb’s announcement. “The jobs are valuable, along with just the decision to pick Baltimore.”

Chubb’s decision consummates years of work by development officials, Frank said. It also affirms the success of Montgomery Park’s redevelopment, which was aided with state historic tax credits and other public money. With its free parking and large floor plates, the 1.3 million-square-foot former industrial site now helps Baltimore compete with suburban markets. It is nearly 50 percent leased, with tenants such as M&T Bank and the Maryland Department of the Environment. Chubb “makes the tenant roster more and more diverse,” Frank said.

“We’re clearly excited about the opportunities in high-end back office … especially with New York and New Jersey-based firms considering alternatives,” said Christian Johansson, president and chief executive officer of the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, which worked on a team to secure the Chubb deal. “I’m sure that that building is going to continue to be attractive,” Johansson said of Montgomery Park.

The building did play a significant role in Chubb’s decision, Schussel said. “This building not only has easy access to major highways, it also has a number of facilities that are outstanding for our employees: a food court, a day care center and a fitness center,” he said. “It has full backup-power generation, which is very important to us from the continuity perspective.” Chubb will begin hiring in May, Schussel said. The company expects the processing center to open in September.

Economic boon

“It’s a very important deal for the city and the state,” said Aris Melissaratos, secretary of the state Department of Business and Economic Development. “What impressed me most about this … was the seamlessness of the partnering between the various organizations. We spoke with one voice.”

To help lure Chubb, the state will give the company a $100,000 grant from the Maryland Industrial Training Program, which helps companies pay for employee training. Indeed, Chubb chose Baltimore both because of the united effort of development officials and its prime location, said T. Courtenay Jenkins III, a broker for Trammell Crow Co., the real estate firm that represented Chubb in the Baltimore office deal. “I think Montgomery Park presents an excellent solution for high-end, back-office operations,” Jenkins said. “I’d say that Montgomery Park has leased up strong and steady,” Jenkins said. “It is the right building for these types of operations.”

NaptownBoy

April 19th, 2006, 03:13 PM

I vote that we go after the Indianapolis Pacers!
Too bad that wont happen, anytime soon anyway. The Pacers are scheduled to remain here for at least another 23 years, since we built what is considered to be the best gym in the NBA in 1999 (conseco fieldhouse). You can take back the Colts though in exchange for the Ravens. They always choke in the playoffs. We're building them a new stadium now so we wont kick em out until 2038.

waj0527

April 19th, 2006, 03:52 PM

^The Supersonics' lease in Seattle is almost up.

wada_guy

April 19th, 2006, 04:17 PM

Too bad that wont happen, anytime soon anyway. The Pacers are scheduled to remain here for at least another 23 years, since we built what is considered to be the best gym in the NBA in 1999 (conseco fieldhouse). You can take back the Colts though in exchange for the Ravens. They always choke in the playoffs. We're building them a new stadium now so we wont kick em out until 2038.
By the time we get our arena, thier lease should be just about up.

With regard to the Colts, NO WAY! You got the point though! LOL. I heard they were filming the sequal to "Irsay" in Indy. It's called "Son of Irsay" and it's a story of extortion and substance abuse. Just substitute drugs for booze and it's just like the original!

waj0527

April 19th, 2006, 04:24 PM

Its spring...and you know what that means in Baltimore!!! Time to display little statues all around downtown and midtown, auction them off for thousands of dollars and donate to charity.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/media/photo/2006-04/23016528.jpg

Testudo getting unloading off trucks in downtown Baltimore to celebrate UM's 150th (www.baltimoresun.com/news/bal-md.turtles19apr19,0,3130756.story?coll=bal-home-headlines )

waj0527

April 19th, 2006, 04:34 PM

BTW....I know this is totally random and def. isnt development related, but Im a bit desperate. Does anyone know of any hotel (that arent more than $300/night) in the area (Baltimore/Washington/Philadelphia) that has over sized soaking tubs/jacuzzis in the guestrooms? Thanks in advance guys.

jpreston02

April 19th, 2006, 04:36 PM

Yeah, a statue would be awesome. Something like the statue of liberty would be amazing. I think the Washington Monument is wonderful but very hidden. We need something taller that really stands out in the skyline. I like the idea of something at Fort McHenry.

There is already a very large bronze statue of Orpheus, which happens to be the memorial to Francis Scott Key. (Orpheus was the supreme Greek musician according to Greek mythology).

Is there room for another in the park? I'm not sure.

robert parsons

April 19th, 2006, 04:37 PM

i was driving through canton last night and saw a huge sign on Brewers Hill saying " coming soon DUNKIN DOUGHNUTS" THATS TOO COOL!!!!!!!!! :cucumber: :banana: :drunk: :dance: ITS ABOUT TIME FOR THAT AREA. ALSO AT BOSTON ST AND 895 THERE IS SINGS SAYING NEW TRAFFIC PATTERNS COMING ON OR ABOUT 3/06 HOPEFULLY THEY WILL FINALLY WIDEN THAT STRIP OF ROAD. DURING RUSH HR ITS A MESS.

waj0527

April 19th, 2006, 04:39 PM

Dunkin' must have really be making a concerted effort to expand in downtown Baltimore. Thats the third store thats opened in or near the CBD in the last year or so.

wada_guy

April 19th, 2006, 04:40 PM

ORPHEUS AT FORT MCHENRY

http://www.baltimoreguy.com/images/Photographs%20Balto%202005%20Page%2002%2008.jpg

LEGGO'S AT THE INNER HARBOR
http://www.baltimoreguy.com/images/Photographs%20Balto%202006%20Page%2009%2002.jpg

southbalto

April 19th, 2006, 05:06 PM

ORPHEUS AT FORT MCHENRY

http://www.baltimoreguy.com/images/Photographs%20Balto%202005%20Page%2002%2008.jpg

LEGO'S AT THE INNER HARBOR
http://www.baltimoreguy.com/images/Photographs%20Balto%202006%20Page%2009%2002.jpg

I saw that leggo Volvo SUV this weekend. Very cool.

Someone said last night that they are putting in trees at West Shore Park. It's going to be any day now.......

I understand they havent installed the water feature (due to $$$ or time) Hope that happens before the summers up.....

waj0527

April 19th, 2006, 05:51 PM

I saw that leggo Volvo SUV this weekend. Very cool.

Someone said last night that they are putting in trees at West Shore Park. It's going to be any day now.......

I understand they havent installed the water feature (due to $$$ or time) Hope that happens before the summers up.....

I was there last night at the Volvo Park thingy that the race folks have put up on Rash Field.

I didnt see trees at West Shore Park, but all they really need to do is plant trees, roll out some grass and finish the pavers and it'll be "done". I'm really not as fond of this park as I thought I'd be. I know they had this deadline, but the work started over a year ago IIRC and there's really no reason for this project to be as rushed as it is.

Maybe it'll appeal to me more when trees are up and the lights are on and the fencing is down and people are using it. The whole feels so discontinuous. Its just....BOOM...steps....BOOM....new lights....BOOM...new pavers. The whole thing seems to be designed without taking any of the current waterfront design standards into consideration.

I know money and time were issues, but if they rushed this one small park for the Volvo Ocean Race...I'd hate to imagine what wouldve happened if Baltimore/Washington did get the bid for the 2012 Olympics.

Huck

April 19th, 2006, 06:00 PM

I'm usually a "lurker," not a poster, but there have been a lot of interesting posts lately.

I agree, a large "collossus of Bawlmer" would be way cool. Ft. Carroll would be perfect for it. Wasn't that where they were going to put that heinous Columbus monstrosity? I've also always thought it would be great to build a large observation tower downtown, something like the Seattle's Space Needle, or the Stratoshpere in Vegas. Harbor point would be a great location for that.

As for people not knowing the city beyond the harbor I totally agree. There are great neighborhoods in North Baltimore. More should be done to get people out to see these great places. While we're on the subject... Sherwood Gardens is in full bloom as we speak! I walk my dogs through there every day. It is really spectacular this year. :eek2:

jaysonjaz

April 19th, 2006, 06:13 PM

Yeah, a statue would be awesome. Something like the statue of liberty would be amazing. I think the Washington Monument is wonderful but very hidden. We need something taller that really stands out in the skyline. I like the idea of something at Fort McHenry.

Guys.. we already have the great national monument that never gets used.. When the Star Spangled Banner is flying, you can see it from miles around.. its absolutely huge and absolutely breathtaking..
I don't know why the park service doesnt fly that thing every day possible. They say they usually dont fly it b/c its a pain to take down during bad weather, but we have more sunny days than rainy ones..
i say fly it all the time

southbalto

April 19th, 2006, 06:26 PM

I was there last night at the Volvo Park thingy that the race folks have put up on Rash Field.

I didnt see trees at West Shore Park, but all they really need to do is plant trees, roll out some grass and finish the pavers and it'll be "done". I'm really not as fond of this park as I thought I'd be. I know they had this deadline, but the work started over a year ago IIRC and there's really no reason for this project to be as rushed as it is.

Maybe it'll appeal to me more when trees are up and the lights are on and the fencing is down and people are using it. The whole feels so discontinuous. Its just....BOOM...steps....BOOM....new lights....BOOM...new pavers. The whole thing seems to be designed without taking any of the current waterfront design standards into consideration.

I know money and time were issues, but if they rushed this one small park for the Volvo Ocean Race...I'd hate to imagine what wouldve happened if Baltimore/Washington did get the bid for the 2012 Olympics.

Totaly agree. The whole project was rushed. And i really dont like the light posts they used. So modern...all that stainless steel.....And the granite/marbel slabs, some of them were broke/damaged by the construction equipment...hope they replace them before its handed over to the city..

I would have preferred a more classic look. more uniform...

sdeclue

April 19th, 2006, 06:58 PM

Hopefully the park isn't rushed because that is an incredible piece of land that needs either an incredible park or some type of amazing development on it. You would think Baltimore could either get another team like Toronto to relocate or be awarded an expansion franchise. The big questions is if an arena is in the plans and where would it be built? I have a hard time seeing where it could go in the Camden Yards area.

waj0527

April 19th, 2006, 07:16 PM

Totaly agree. The whole project was rushed. And i really dont like the light posts they used. So modern...all that stainless steel.....And the granite/marbel slabs, some of them were broke/damaged by the construction equipment...hope they replace them before its handed over to the city..

I would have preferred a more classic look. more uniform...

Exactly. IIRC, the lights at WSP (it hasnt even opened to the public yet and Im giving it its own acroynm...lol) are the same lights that were recently installed on Pier 3 at the NAIB. Maybe the plan is to update ALL the lighting along the harbor. I'd welcome that idea. The current fixtures are a bit dated.

waj0527

April 19th, 2006, 09:55 PM

Does anyone know anything about these projects?

The Residences at Lexington Market

http://cimgrealestate.com/Assets/lexington_elev.jpg

http://cimgrealestate.com/Assets/lexington_cover_small.jpg

This impressive residential development, building upon the air rights above the Lexington Market garage, promises to spur the ongoing transformation of Baltimore's Westside. The project will include the redevelopment of the Pfeiffer building into 4 loft-style condo units. In addition, we will build three separate 10-story towers. The first tower, which fronts on Paca Street, will consist of 100 for-sale luxury condo units, and the other two towers will contain a total of 200 luxury rental units. Finally, the project will feature 21 townhomes on the southern end of the garage.

__________________________________________________________________

The Station at Fells Point

http://cimgrealestate.com/Assets/fellspoint_elevation_new.jpg

http://cimgrealestate.com/Assets/fellspoint_siteplan.jpg

Through a competitive bid process with the City of Baltimore, CIMG was awarded exclusive development rights for this prize parcel located just seconds from the Fell's Point waterfront. The project will consist of the full rehabilitation of an existing historic building into high-end, market-rate condominium units, and the new construction of an adjacent building, which will house condos and ground-floor retail fronting Broadway.

The Station at Fell's Point will surely benefit from its proximity to the shops, restaurants, and historic waterfront ambience that characterize this beautiful neighborhood. The site also presents a unique opportunity to participate in the exciting growth of the Upper Fell's Point community.

Prices for condos will begin in the low $300s.

sdeclue

April 19th, 2006, 09:59 PM

Yeah I just saw those as well. Looks like two more 25 floor towers hitting Baltimore. It's about time something somewhat sizeable hits the west side.

waj0527

April 19th, 2006, 10:18 PM

BDC's List o' Westside Developments
Completed - U/C - In Pipeline (bold indicates status)

The Hippodrome - Completed
With Bank of America’s investment, this $70 million center now seats 2,250 guests for Broadway shows, concerts and community events. The entire theatre complex includes the restoration of three historic landmark buildings -- the Hippodrome, the Western National Bank Building and the Eutaw Savings Bank.

The Atrium at Market Center - Completed
Developed by Southern Management Corporation and now fully operational, this complex contains 173 apartment homes and lofts built around a seven-story open-air interior atrium. Built within the structure of the historic Hecht department store, the building's classic revival-style facade has been restored and its interior updated.

Maggie Moore’s - Completed
This 200-seat, 8,000-square-foot restaurant features two floors of dining with a bar on each floor. Opened last last, Maggie Moore's will draw on traffic from the Hippodrome, Bank of America's Centerpoint complex, and neighboring university students and staff.

Abell Building - WTF?!
The Philadelphia Management Corporation will convert this 19th century 55,000 square foot structure to retail on the first floor with residential and commercial uses on the upper floors. Permits have been issued for the construction of 35 residential units and construction is underway.

Centerpoint - Completed
This $70+ million dollar project developed by Bank of America and Atlanta-based Harold A. Dawson Co. features 392 rental apartments, 30,000 square feet of retail space and a 400-space parking garage. The final phase of the project is under construction and includes 103 apartment units. The first and second phases includes loft units in the historic buildings on Howard Street and a newly constructed tower offering studio, one and two–bedroom apartments. The third phase of the project is under construction including 103 units of apartments on Eutaw and Baltimore Streets. Delivery on some units is expected in September 2005. In addition, local business Hippodrome Hatters is moving back near their original location in the Centerpoint project.

Lexington Market - Completed
Having undergone a $4.2 million facelift, Lexington Market now features more storefront space, new convenience features, updated interior design and lighting, enhanced exterior, added sidewalks and landscaping. A RFP will be issued this month for the redevelopment of the Pfeiffer Building at 200 N. Paca Street and the air rights parcel above the Lexington Market garage at 500-524 W. Lexington Street.

University of Maryland Bio Tech Park - U/C
Phase One of the 800 block of Baltimore Street is completed and was occupied by the first tenants on July 18th. 100 employees from a Rockville disease research group occupy the 4th floor and several similar companies are expected to occupy the remaining floors. The first building is 100% leased and the 630-space parking garage is expected to open in early Fall.

829 W. Baltimore Street - ?????????
The University of Maryland in partnership with the Poppleton Community and Police Department were instrumental in establishing a new Police Sub-station manned by eleven (11) officers to serve the community.

Camden Square, LLC (This is infamous boutique hotel!!) - U/C
Next Realty and Sky Hospitality are developing a 126-room 8-story hotel at 221-231 South Greene Street/Portland Street. Construction is expected to begin early this Fall.

University of Maryland Dental School - Completed
Rising 10 stories and including 360,000 square feet, the brick and limestone building will have a glass facade and two atriums. The new $124 million building will open before year's end.

Infrastructure/Streetscaping - Still Underway, hopefully :-/
More than 50 block faces in total have been renovated in our Financial District, Baltimore’s West Side and Mt. Vernon, representing more than $17 million in investment.

Stewart’s Building - Completed
Constructed in the early 1900's, the Stewarts Building was one of Baltimore's grand department stores. Now, 100 years later, it recaptures its impressive stature as one of the city's most advanced buildings for offices, as well as retail. It is now the pending home of Catholic Relief Services, which currently employs 326 people in its offices, but expects to grow to about 400 employees in its new expanded space.

The Congress - Completed
Derelict for a decade, the historic Congress Hotel has been beautifully rehabilitated as 36 market rate apartments and 8,500 square feet of office and retail space. With its heritage retained and features restored, The Congress has also been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places.

400 Block of Baltimore - WTF is going on with this?!
The partnership between David S. Brown Enterprises, A & R Development Corporation, and Steve Samuelson will result in the creation of 100,000 square feet of office space and 13,000 square feet of retail space on both sides of the block, at an estimated cost of over $15 million.

Superblock - ::SIGH::
Three development teams were selected to redevelop the superblock lead by the Chera Feil Goldman Group of New York City, and includes Carmel Realty Associates of Philadelphia and local developer, French Development Company, Inc. Barenburg Eye Associates (Dr. Levin/Dr. Gordon) will start construction on the properties located at 100 Park Avenue and 202 W. Fayette Street in early Fall. Exterior construction will include the removal of all awnings, window restoration, and brick cleaning.

University of Maryland Medical Center - Completed
Recently completed a $150 million addition.

Fayette Residences - Completed
New housing for university students north of Fayette between Greene and Paca streets has been completed. A 17-story tower provides most of the 300 or so apartments; the remaining units will be in older rehabilitated structures while parking and street-level retail are included.

The Zenith - U/C
Legency/Harris Development and Kennedy Associates are developing 191 upscale apartments. The $35m project is under construction and expected to be completed in 2007.

Camden Court Apartments - Completed
This $35 million project is nearly complete and currently leasing 221 units of market rate rental apartments.

Molo

April 19th, 2006, 10:26 PM

It's really time to update the entire look of the area.
The gazibo at Rash Field should be torn down.

In fact, the entire Rash Field should be made into a huge garden or something, not just dirt.

sdeclue

April 19th, 2006, 10:35 PM

southbalto

April 19th, 2006, 10:45 PM

That whole Rash Field area needs lots of help. The West Shore Park should help to add to the Harbor so that there isn't a gap between the Science Center and vistor center. Something needs to be done to make the area between the Science Center and the new Ritz Carlton Homes a special place. It would be great to get the ice skating rink back there in the winter and the volleyball court does well for the summer. Otherwise, it might be time to add something there, maybe a special tall tower, although I can imagine people in Federal Hill really complaining about that. Maybe that's where a new monument or statue could go. Endless possibilities for such a nice piece of land.

Yea i'd have a problem with them putting a tower up on rash field. Federal Hill lost a really nice view of river with the ritz/harborview projects. I think it would be a real crime to block the view of downtown...........

That said, i completely agree that rash field could be a lot more than it is now.

I think a walking garden would be a fantastic idea.....Though it does serve as an excellent staging area for the watfront festival.

jaysonjaz

April 19th, 2006, 10:59 PM

there are concrete blocks outside of the Abell building now.. it looks like they might be doing some stuff to it

waj0527

April 19th, 2006, 11:22 PM

^ Good. Im so tired of seeing that damn thing just sit there. It bothers me to see such a nice building in such a prominent location go to waste.

StevenW

April 19th, 2006, 11:38 PM

So many things going on! :)
I really like this development for the westside. :D
http://cimgrealestate.com/Assets/lexington_elev.jpg
http://cimgrealestate.com/Assets/lexington_cover_small.jpg
It will add much more density as well as high-rises to the skyline. :)
Thanks for the updates, waj. :)

StevenW

April 19th, 2006, 11:49 PM

(Kristine Buls/Examiner)
Paul Laurence Dunbar High School science scholars break ground on the future site of the Johns Hopkins Science and Technology Park at 855 N. Wolfe St. Attendees included Gov. Robert Ehrlich, Sen. Barbara Mikulski, Rep. Elijah Cummings, Mayor Martin O’Malley and Harbor Bank President Joseph Haskins Jr.
Eastside development begins
PDF | Email
Chet Dembeck, The Examiner
Apr 18, 2006 7:00 AM (1 day ago)

BALTIMORE - One of the most blighted sections of the city has taken a giant step toward revitalization.

Federal, state and city officials were all on the same page when they came together Monday to celebrate the groundbreaking of the first of many new buildings being constructed as part of a $1 billion project slated to revitalize a large portion of East Baltimore in the next 10 years.

When completed in 2007, the 282,000-square-foot building at 855 N. Wolfe St. will be the first piece of the Science and Technology Park at Johns Hopkins.

Officials said the 2002 partnership involving the city, state and communities of East Baltimore is beginning to huge pay dividends.

“Johns Hopkins is one of our biggest job generators that we failed to harness in past years,” Mayor Martin O’Malley told The Examiner before the ceremony. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Baltimore’s future.”

Before the project reached it current momentum, the Greater Baltimore Committee raised $1 million to help support East Baltimore Development Inc., the nonprofit that acts as the arm of the partnership, said Donald C. Fry, president of the committee.

Fry said that when completed, the renewal of East Baltimore will act as a catalyst for the rest of the city.

“It’s like dropping a pebble in a pond,” Fry said. “You’ll get a ripple effect.”

Aris Melissaratos, secretary of the Maryland Department of Economic Development, expressed enthusiasm for the project’s potential.

“It is the total rebuilding of an entire community,” he said.

The boundaries of the 80-acre project run from Broadway to Madison Street to Collington Street and the railroad tracks. It was one of the city’s depressed areas with a 56 percent vacancy in some sections, according to city data.

When completed over the next 10 years, the science and technology park will boast 150,000 square feet of office and retail space. It will also include 1,500 new homes for buyers with mixed incomes. Officials estimate the project could generate about 6,000 jobs.

The kinds of jobs the project will generate is particularly important, Joseph Haskins Jr., chairman of East Baltimore Development Inc., told The Examiner.

“This will create opportunities across the board from entry level to highly credentials positions,” he said.

Haskins, who is also the president of The Harbor Bank, said he and others stood steadfast in their hope for transforming the area when others had “written off the neighborhood.”

On Wednesday, The Examiner will explore another project that is breathing new economic life into Baltimore.

Funding for project

» Baltimore: $30 million

» State: $22.5 million

» Federal: $21 million

Source: East Baltimore Development lnc.

cdembeck@baltimoreexaminer.com

Examiner

:) :) :)

Brian21

April 20th, 2006, 12:00 AM

waj0527

April 20th, 2006, 12:11 AM

Its called The Residences at Lexington Market

StevenW

April 20th, 2006, 12:36 AM

^^ Are they approved yet, waj? :?

MasonsInquiries

April 20th, 2006, 12:48 AM

What development is this?
this is the project right across the street from lexington market, brian. some time ago, www.godowntownbaltimore.com posted a picture of a project that was called "lexington lofts" back then. i believe this is that same project. CIMG is saying that it's going to be three 10-story towers, but i have to say that they look a tad bit taller than 10 stories. this should be a very nice project.

sdeclue

April 20th, 2006, 01:02 AM

It looks like two 20-25 story towers if you include the parking garage levels and then one 10-12 story tower.

wada_guy

April 20th, 2006, 01:02 AM

Light rail's readiness
Originally published April 19, 2006
Baltimore Sun

The American Public Transportation Association reports that public transit use in America is growing fast. Last year, rail and bus systems provided 9.7 billion trips. That's 25.1 percent growth over the past decade, compared with 22.5 percent growth for highways. And within the public transit world, the fastest-growing mode is - drum roll, please - light rail. From New Jersey to Los Angeles, the various forms of light rail, from modern streetcars (like Baltimore's) to heritage trolleys, are reporting double-digit ridership increases.

So how does Baltimore's beleaguered light rail system compare? Not as poorly as some believe. While its problems are obvious - slow downtown service and low ridership chief among them - there are signs that some of those long-standing problems may be turning around.

First is the matter of ridership. Since peaking at nearly 30,000 in 2002, Baltimore's daily light rail ridership has dropped to as little as half that and probably even less. That's chiefly because long stretches of track had to be closed to accommodate double-tracking, a $154 million project to eliminate the system's bottlenecks.

But since that project was completed in February, the Maryland Transit Administration has clearly bolstered light rail service. For most of the system, there's a much shorter potential wait for a train. It's not unreasonable to believe that light rail can not only recapture its ridership of years past, but exceed it.

Thanks to some recent changes to Baltimore's downtown traffic signal system, light rail cars have also started moving several critical minutes faster down Howard Street, and further improvements are in the works. Rising gas prices and growing congestion on the region's roads have given potential riders even more incentives to take light rail.

Now it's up to the MTA to capitalize on this opportunity. What's needed is a major marketing push to attract new riders, particularly from the suburbs. Better yet, the MTA should be investing in reliable ticketing machines, cleaner stations and improved security. Customers would notice.

The MTA must soon decide what to do about a proposed Red Line connecting Woodlawn with Canton; a light rail extension looks attractive. Baltimore can replicate the light rail successes of cities such as Denver and Portland, Ore., if highway-oriented state transportation officials will seize this unique opportunity.