Comments on: Has Pigtown become the next Federal Hill?

By: hail

hail — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:36:19 +0000

Well, whatever happens, I hope that it will turn around. i am willing to take a risk and buy a property on the 900 block and hope that the future has great plans for pig town / washington village. I work at UMMC and I’m hoping that more of the employees will think about moving closer to work. I woldn’t mind having some bars. To those of you who said that pigtown is so great and it has its own feel and history, you need to take a look at the borded up homes aroud this area. If bars want to come in and replace the boarded up homes with entertainment and a history of their won, I welcome them.

By: epsilonicus

epsilonicus — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:22:22 +0000

I do not think Pigtown will become like Federal Hill. It is too residential.

Also, it is not a problem that the area is called Pigtown. It brings a historic sense to it. It captures the history of the area. Washington Village does not. Many people moving into the area appreciate that.

I think it will look more like Fells Point. There may be some bars but it will not overdue it like Federal Hill. Or maybe it will turn into Ridgely’s Delight. More residential with maybe some small businesses.

By: pigtownproud

pigtownproud — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 23:33:15 +0000

Welcome to Baltimore -
From the comments I am reading, I suspect that many (not all) of you are new to Baltimore. I have been here for over 40 years – my whole life and have watched the demise and metamorphosis of Baltimore. Canton and Federal Hill used to be Pigtown believe it or not, so nothing is impossible.

Their growth has only come about in the past 20 years. When I was little, my mother and I would take public transportation from Catonsville downtown to do our shopping in all of the elite Department stores which are now long gone. For the next 20 years Baltimore City became barren as everyone who could afford it, moved out to the suburbs. Then there was a revival of the professional industries in Baltimore which brought in the young professionals who wanted a close walk-able place to live. This trend continues and the need for urban housing continues to grow. We are now becoming the “affordable” bedroom community of DC and the need for housing is growing in leaps and bounds.

Being a true Balti-moron, I continue to support our history by supporting the name “Pigtown”. I could have chosen to live in Federal Hill, Canton, or back in my hometown of Catonsville, but I have watched this city come back to life, and I wanted to be a part of its revitalization. I remember Pigtown when it was a proud place for people to live. I am dedicating my spare time to bring that memory to a reality. My best motivation is the critics – give it time, because if I could take you back in time 20 years ago, you would be saying the same thing about places like Federal Hill, Locust Point, Canton, Butchers, Brewers, and Patterson.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 22:40:30 +0000

This topic has been given a new posting. Please see the February 21st entry.

By: nedworrd

nedworrd — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:34:49 +0000

I just moved to Pigtown two weeks ago – a friend from college recently bought a house there. Working in DC, I find the walk to the MARC station very convenient. However, where is there to hang out in Pigtown? Any restaurants/cool places to get a beer that are appealing? A nice coffee shop to read the paper on the weekend? A good brunch? I went to the local corner watering hole (Bob’s on the corner of Washington/Ostend haha) to grab a beer and watch the MD/Duke game and was accosted by prostitutes the second I walked in so I went to Magerks instead and enjoyed $1 Coors lights and company generally my age (28). I find myself always going to Fed Hill or Canton to carry out these activities,

By: Carol

Carol — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 20:44:42 +0000

Barre Circle and Camden Crossing are indeed in Pigtown. Please review the boundaries as listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Washington Village does not exist. There is no official designation for that name, beyond what people have in their minds, and sorry — that’s not good enough. Whether you like it or not, if you live here, you live in Pigtown.

And George, perhaps you’d like to get involved in the community instead of just telling us what we should be doing. Start by joining Citizens of Pigtown and perhaps attend a meeting or two. Then you can start working on that marketing plan.

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:14:17 +0000

Pray tell…
“…instead of the mad-dash poorly thought-out development that was had in the residential sector.”

By: Sean

Sean — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:09:14 +0000

I live in Camden Crossing?
Oh, yeah? Where’s that?

So, Camden Crossing is in Washington Village?

These neighborhood “boundary” issues are interesting. Is there a “Welcome to Camden Crossing” sign on Scott St?

By: George

George — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:08:05 +0000

I moved pre-rehab 4 yrs ago and have seen Washington Village or Pigtown, whichevere you prefer, transform. It is safer now than then. It is cleaner and there is some commerical development. On that note:
1. It will never be a Federal Hill.. Hampden – yes. It all depends on what we want. I would love to see a Starbucks, speciality shops, and a GOOD Safway (the one in WV is a nightmare). This community needs to think development. Stop talking and take action. Design a marketing plan, investment plan and go forth to bring the investments we need..NOW not later. This area has great potential
2. Alot of commuters from DC have moved to Pigtown b/c of price AND location location. It’s near 295, 95, 695 and 10 minute walk to MARC. We need to target people with disposable income such as DC-Southern MD residents who are looking for the city life but need an easy commute. Unfortunately, we suck at marketing and can’t get our act together.

3. The community is rich in new and old residents. HOWEVER, we all want property values to increase. I didn’t move hear to sell my house at 100k discount like a blue light special b/c people fear change..Build a bridge – get over it.

Fortunately, this area’s assessment continues to go up so there is commerical investment opportunity.

3. Let me blunt. The name Pigtown doesn’t sell if you live outside the area. The name washington village does. I bought my home as such. I think many of us new folks from the DC metro area wouldn’t have moved here if we knew the name prior. However, knowing what I know now, the name Pigtown does have its charm..but you have you market it correctly..Don’t just ASS-U-ME

4. Barre Circle, RD or CC is not Pigtown.

By: Glen

Glen — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:17:37 +0000

Apparently this blog needs more Pigtown posts. It’s a hot topic.