Baltimore Grows

Gov. O’Malley and the Maryland Department of Transportation have issued a list of the first round of transporation projects in Baltimore and throughout Maryland that will be funded as part of Obama’s stimulus plan.

The list includes, among other things, the purchase of of 100 new hybrid buses for the MTA, upgrades to Baltimore light rail and metro subway, upgrades to MARC stations, including Penn Station in Baltimore, streetscaping and resurfacing projects throughout Baltimore and Maryland, including Orleans Street and Northern Parkway in Baltimore.

Click here to see the list of projects

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

We’re happy to have a guest post today courtesy of Urban Discoveries Living Blog. Check out all their great content.

An ambitious redevelopment of an abandoned landmark. In East Baltimore. During a recession. Sound like a good idea to you? But against all odds, things seem to be working in favor of Columbia-based non-profit Humanim’s redevelopment of the American Brewery Building—the once-abandoned structure should be open for business by this summer, and Humanim will use it as their Baltimore headquarters, providing workforce development to people with barriers to employment.

Humanim’s connection with the American Brewery building began when a staff member scouting the area spotted “the most amazing building.” As anyone who’s seen it knows, the structure is immediately striking. A 2002 CityPaper article put it nicely: “The design has been described as everything from ‘Bavarian Gothic’ to ‘Teutonic pagoda’ to ‘circus architecture.’”

When Humanim staff members snuck inside to look around in 2005, the place was in bad shape. The structure was compromised, there was rot everywhere—not irreparable damage, but close. “I’m not sure it would’ve gone another year without fatal structural damage,” Truitt said. The 19th-century building hadn’t been in use since 1973 and was so run-down that The Wire filmed several drug deal scenes in its overgrown parking lot.

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LiveBaltimore.com now has a Neighborhood compatibility matching feature on their website.  Maybe this will help reduce the effort it takes for new citizens to find the right match. 

For instance, if you’re single, spunky, and colorful, then you’re best suited for a neighborhood like Hampden or Pigtown.  If you are a conservative and traditional family, then you better stick to Blythwood or Homeland.

Are you living in the right neighborhood for your personality?  See for yourself.

http://www.livebaltimore.com/neighborhoods/neighborhoodmatch/

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

The Baltimore Area Convention & Visitors Association (BACVA) has launched a new website called VisitmyBaltimore.com which allows users to post pictures, videos, and sounds of their favorite things about Baltimore.  It’s a great attempt to use multimedia as a kind of viral marketing tool for potential visitors or residents while not immediately coming across as an advertisement.  Since it’s only the beta version, the site lacks some depth, but I imagine that will grow with time. 

Check it out yourself:  http://visitmybaltimore.com

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

I finally managed to make it over to Corks in Federal Hill restaurant to see the place.  It reopened a few months ago after some renovations and a reformatting.  A lot of the new format had to do with the menu, which now has a good mix of mdeium priced along with higher priced entrees.

The restaurant looks very small from the front, but it opens up to a larger dining room in back.  There’s also an upper balcony for additional seating.  I went on a Friday and business was brisk, although the place was not 100% full.  There was plenty of room to move around, and it wasn’t one of those places where your table is 6 inches away from the one next to yours (thankfully). 

I would definitely recommend starting out with the Merguez Corn Dogs.  It comes with two Spanish sausages, battered (just like at the MD state fair), and served with a really nice spicy mustard.  It’s also served over a bed of popcorn with freshly grated cheese.  It doesn’t seem like it would, but the flavors mix well, especially the spicy mustard with the salty popcorn.

The restaurant has an extensive wine list, which remains fairly pricey, along with multiple selections of Foie Gras.  However, there’s some lesser priced entrees including sandwiches and burgers for around $9-$12. 

I couldn’t resist the Filet Mingon however, which was local and organically raised.  It was advertised as a 10 oz portion, but it had to have been at least 16 ounces…it was huge!  I asked for it medium well, but it had a bit more pink in the middle than I care for…probably because the piece was so gigantic.  The waitress came by to ask if it was cooked to my taste, so could have taken the opportunity to throw it back on the grill, but it was so delicious, I was enjoying it too much to part ways…even if only for a few minutes.   

http://www.corksrestaurant.com

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Just announced, Talara, a “Neuvo Latino Tapas Restaurant” will open up at the prominent location on the corner of President and Fleet Streets in Harbor East.  The menu appears to be promising with the highlights being a “Seviche Bar” and a drink menu with seven types of Mojitos.  The restaurant will open in April 2009 http://www.talarabaltimore.com/

Baltimore Magazine reports that the owner of Ryleigh’s Oyster is taking over Juniors Wine Bar in Federal Hill. The restaurant/bar will undergo a name change and will be reformatted.  The new name will be “Taverna Corvino”. 

Baltimore Magazine also reported that Ryleigh’s restaurant group will be opening another restaurant called Avery’s Pearl set to open in the spring.

Read about both of these restaurants here: http://www.baltimoremagazine.net/ingoodtaste/index.php/2009/02/now-i-can-tell-you/

“Brasserie 10 South” recently opened at 10 S. Calvert Street and is associated with the new Club Lux.  Supposedly the setup is apparently similar to Red Maple in Mt. Vernon.  http://www.brasserie10south.com/

Also, recently opened in Mt. Vernon is “Marie Louise Bistro”, 904 N. Charles St, with a menu that reflects French, Italian, and Mediterranean food.  So far, the place has been getting good reviews.

Got any tips on new restaurants coming to town?  E-mail me!  jeffcantonite@yahoo.com