Baltimore Development News 21

[MobtownManiac]

Keeping this in front of the public is key, no matter which component they're talking about.

Mayor Sheila Dixon and Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith joined forces today to urge the General Assembly to devote more funds during next week's special session for the Red Line transit project.

The two spoke at Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital, the site of a proposed stop on the Red Line, the name for a transit corridor that would provide an east-west connection from Woodlawn to the Fells Point-Canton area.

Dixon and Smith did not ask for a specific dollar amount but want the state to step up its funding, which, combined with federal dollars, could fully fund the project.

The proposed project will cost more than $1 billion. The state has dedicated $239 million over the next six years for project planning, engineering and design and initial construction, said Jack Cahalan, a spokesman for the Maryland Department of Transportation. The project is still in conceptual stages, and the mode of transportation along the corridor has not been determined. About $50 million of that is for construction.

Additionally, Gov. Martin O'Malley's transportation plan to be taken up during the session calls for adding $400 million a year into a transportation trust fund, which would be used for all capital projects, including the Red Line, said Cahalan.

"Clearly the Red Line project is a priority and has been identified as a priority by the local delegations and the city of Baltimore," said Cahalan. "But there are a number of other transit initiatives that are at similar points in the process ... so you've got a number of priority projects that are out there that are in need of funding."

[k25150]

True but M&T just doesn't seem "huge" to me. No one will be jumping up and down if they are the lead tenent. Now BofA. That's something to chear about.

[MasonsInquiries]

Originally Posted by MobtownManiac

Keeping this in front of the public is key, no matter which component they're talking about.

"Clearly the Red Line project is a priority and has been identified as a priority by the local delegations and the city of Baltimore," said Cahalan. "But there are a number of other transit initiatives that are at similar points in the process ... so you've got a number of priority projects that are out there that are in need of funding."

with this area growing like it is, the red line is a MUST............

• edmondson village is about to get new homes (uplands development)

• poppleton area is about to get new homes (the city is currently buying up block after block after block around and/or near UMB Biopark)

• inner harbor east, canton, and fells point are expanding

[Maudibjr]

I just read in a transportation forum that CSX will be moving 37 dispatchers back to Baltimore on 2/28/08. While the additional jobs are a nice gain, I think that it is really cool that Baltimore will be regaining a little bit of ots historical railroad glory back.

[StevenW]

speaking of transportation issues, has anyone heard anything on Nate, lately?

[BaltoSteve]

Let's hope the momentum for the Red Line continues. Baltimore deserves this. The DC area has been getting more than it's share of transit money for decades now. 1 billion may sound like a lot but that's like what? 3.5 days of what the US spends in Iraq?

[StevenW]

Residents oppose homeless shelter

Oct 27, 2007 3:00 AM (7 hrs ago)
by Dorothy Rowley, The Examiner
Tempers are beginning to flare over a Baltimore neighborhood’s opposition to the city’s plan to convert an empty building into a seasonal homeless shelter.

Members of the New Greenmount West Community Association, who have mobilized in an attempt to block the city’s efforts, say they had hoped the owners of a newly established Jesuit school would take over the premises instead. The building is in the Station North arts and entertainment district.

“The city did not follow protocol in the matter and has no solid planning,” said Kimberly Forsyth, a business consultant entrepreneur and active assocation member. “If the city was really attempting to improve the neighborhood it would have provided an impetus for doing so long ago.”

Forsyth said that not cementing plans for the shelter — which is in the 1600 block of Guilford Avenue — with the city Department of Planning clearly demonstrates there isn’t much coordination between the mayor’s office and various departments.

“In this case, the city does not coordinate with the planning department to come up with a plan that will be beneficial to the overall neighborhood,” Forsyth said.

According to developer Jeff Landsman, who owns a property behind the building, the group that owns Cristo Rey Jesuit High School was promised the building years ago when then-mayor Martin O’Malley presided over City Hall.

“But the Jesuits never actually committed to spending any money on it,” Landsman said.

“Our area has already had enough issues going against it in our attempts to revise the neighborhood. We don’t need any more scars or black eyes,” he said, referring to the proposed shelter.

Landsman said he believes the shelter, which would operate in the winter, would be better served in another neighborhood. Besides, “the city’s spending of three quarters of a million dollars on a property for seasonal use is poor use of taxpayer dollars,” he said.

Cristo Rey began operating in August in the old Holy Rosary Elementary School at South Chester Street and Eastern Avenue. Spokeswoman Mary Beth Lennon confirmed that school officials are poised to assume the facility once the city relinquishes it. She said the city granted the school the option a year ago to purchase the building.

“That continues to be our primary option, ” said Lennon, adding that there yet has been a determination of a purchase price.

However, “the city told us they were going to use it as a temporary shelter,” Lennon said. “Afterwards, we would continue to look at the building as our permanent location. We will not be at the same place for the 2008-09 school year.”

Mayoral spokesman Anthony McCarthy said it’s absurd to conclude the city is not working with the planning department on the matter. “We run the planning department, so we are cooperating,” McCarthy said. He said the community has been involved in the entire process and that they are missing the point.

“Winter is upon us and the question is, do we find shelter for people or let them freeze to death,” McCarthy said.

“The shelter is temporary and as soon as we find a permanent place, we will turn the building over to the school to do whatever they want with it.”

drowley@baltimoreexaminer.com

[k25150]

2 groups denounce O'Malley tax plan - From the Sun

The Maryland Public Policy Institute and the Washington-based Tax Foundation denounced Gov. Martin O'Malley's fiscal plan yesterday, saying it would decrease the state's ability to attract and expand businesses.

"Lawmakers in Annapolis seem to believe they have little need to rein in spending," said Christopher B. Summers, president of the Maryland Public Policy Institute, which released a study saying past tax cuts are not to blame for the state's projected $1.7 billion deficit. "But it cannot tax itself out of this problem."

Summers said the state should instead reduce and re-evaluate spending on costly programs. On Monday, the Maryland Public Policy Institute will begin airing an anti-tax ad on WBAL radio.

Meanwhile, the Tax Foundation, a research group that favors lower taxes, released a separate study yesterday saying O'Malley's plan would have a "crushing impact" on business competitiveness. According to the foundation's analysis of income, sales, unemployment and property taxes, Maryland ranks 24th in the nation in business competitiveness. Under the governor's plan, the state would fall to 43rd, said the study's author, Curtis Dubay.

"Maryland's increased tax burden and less-competitive business tax climate will lessen the state's ability to attract new or expanding businesses and their jobs," Dubay said.

O'Malley spokesman Rick Abbruzzese disputed the groups' claims, saying the governor's plan will result in 83 percent of Marylanders paying the same or less on their taxes and that the state will gain jobs because of the military's base realignment and closure plan, or BRAC.

"In terms of hurting the state's chances at attracting and expanding businesses, we actually know from experience that the opposite is true," he said. "Maryland is expected to get 40,000 to 60,000 BRAC-related jobs in the next few years. ... And the things we have proposed actually keep us competitive with other states."

kelly.brewington@baltsun.com

I certainly didn't vote for that crook.
I wonder if this will affect 10IH's quest for a majot tenant.

[StevenW]

I hope it does not mess up 10 IH for getting a big lead tenant.

[bmorescottamanda]

What you think Ehlich could do better if he got elected. He made it seem like he got Maryland budget straight. His plan is good that was just some DC sub org being like they are.

[RedDawg]

Anybody know what's happening these days in lower Charles Village? At least 10 parcels (and maybe more), including the huge old Equitable Trust Data Center and the (most recently) Bank of America branch at the corner of N. Charles and North, have been bought up in the past couple of years by an entity whose listed mailing address is 1727 Stonebridge Rd., P.O. Box 11338, Alexandria, VA 22304. Nine of the parcels bearing that address show the owner as an LLC prefaced with the property street address, e.g., "Charles & 20, LLC", etc. The tenth parcel lists "Cheng, Anthony C.Y." as the owner, with the same Alexandria address. The listed prices of the 10 parcels tops $6 million. Googling '"Anthony Cheng" Baltimore' lists a few hits suggesting Cheng may be a physician. Theories?
-RD

[Maudibjr]

Originally Posted by RedDawg

Anybody know what's happening these days in lower Charles Village? At least 10 parcels (and maybe more), including the huge old Equitable Trust Data Center and the (most recently) Bank of America branch at the corner of N. Charles and North, have been bought up in the past couple of years by an entity whose listed mailing address is 1727 Stonebridge Rd., P.O. Box 11338, Alexandria, VA 22304. Nine of the parcels bearing that address show the owner as an LLC prefaced with the property street address, e.g., "Charles & 20, LLC", etc. The tenth parcel lists "Cheng, Anthony C.Y." as the owner, with the same Alexandria address. The listed prices of the 10 parcels tops $6 million. Googling '"Anthony Cheng" Baltimore' lists a few hits suggesting Cheng may be a physician. Theories?
-RD

Maybe he is speculating that the station north area will really boom? That is an area that while a bit downtrodden, isin't too far gone it can't come back.

[k25150]

Originally Posted by bmorescottamanda

What you think Ehlich could do better if he got elected. He made it seem like he got Maryland budget straight. His plan is good that was just some DC sub org being like they are.

OK right on. Raising taxes is never a good thing. Reduced spending is. But O'Malley and the dems can't stop spending. How else will they get votes.

[scando]

Originally Posted by bmorescottamanda

What you think Ehlich could do better if he got elected. He made it seem like he got Maryland budget straight. His plan is good that was just some DC sub org being like they are.

Ehrlich got the budget right but it was by ignoring the future. He added items like Thornton to the budget but didn't add revenue to pay for it and didn't cut out anything else. You can probably to the math on that without even knowing the numbers. It was as though he knew he wouldn't be around to see the s**t hit the fan.

[Baltimoreguy]

It is a BAD idea to not have slots at pimlico. The city will loose the Preakness and the horsetracK will close. Mayor dixon wake up. All the money from the preakness events, festivals, free advertising, National Press all gone,. slots is going to Happen one way or another. I guess will will now lose exactly what we were trying to save in the first place. Omalley and Dixon Bad for Maryland and Baltimore.

[Hood]

Originally Posted by TheGlobalizer

Port Covington would work. I live in the area (south end of Light Street) and it would be an excellent bookend to the peninsula. Definitely could use some more national chain retail in the city, too, which I'm sure such a project would bring.

I agree 100%. I was driving over the hanover street bridge and gawking at the expanse of water front land and realized what a clean palette it could be. I think this parcel is screaming for high density residential mostly. This is where Harborview should have been built because there is no adjacent neighborhood fabric to mesh with and it could turn its back on 95 very easily – vs. HV turning its back on Federal Hill. I see a Battery Park city type place here with High rises should be set off of the water so you can see up and over I-95 – then step down towards the water. Expand the marina as well. Hopefully a big time developer with deep pockets will do this right.

[LilMoeJoeJoe]

United adding 3rd daily flight from BWI to LAX.

http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/bal...ml?jst=b_ln_hl

[30 Floors Up]

I don't think it is M&T thinking about leasing at 10 IH. One family in Buffalo owns a huge amount of that company’s stock. They live in Buffalo and M&T is based in Buffalo. They are a candidate to be acquired because they are only a regional firm.

~~~~~

Buried in one of the BBJ articles this month was a burb about Savannah Development. It stated that the company is about to have its business license yanked by the State of Maryland. It goes on to say that Savannah is a partner in the Cityscape development with Sapperstein (Chesapeake - Locust Point). Brodie had no comment. The article said that Cityscape has been in the works for more than 5 years. I say it is time to re-bid Cityscape. How many chances and extensions are they going to give these politically connected developers? Five L O N G years is enough.

[30 Floors Up]

Will it ever end? Plywood for a curtain wall.


Going down.


A nest of cranes.

[30 Floors Up]

I saw a light bulb on in the Fudrucker's site on Pratt Street yesterday. I wonder if it has been leased?