Baltimore Grows

HGTV contacted me asking to let you all know about their upcoming filming of Bang for your Buck in Baltimore. Info below.

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Have you recently renovated your KITCHEN?

Then HGTV is looking for you!

Home & Garden Television’s BANG FOR YOUR BUCK is looking for fun and enthusiastic homeowners in Baltimore, MD, to be a part of the show’s fourth season RIGHT NOW!

Renovations must have been completed within the last 2-3 years.

This episode will tour three remodels at similar price points ($20K-$120K) in the Baltimore area. We’ll bring in our HGTV celebrity designer and a local real estate expert to determine how the renovation impacts the value of each home. We’ll also provide viewers with expert advice, answers on remodeling values, and inspiring ideas for design.

We will be filming March 8^th-11^th.

Please send before/after pictures and the cost of the Kitchen renovation when you request an application

no later than Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010!

For more info, to send photos and to request an application, please email:

cortiz@highnoontv.com

Or call Cyndi at (303) 712-3177

Learn more at www.hgtv.com/bang

It seems like there have been a bunch of new restaurants and bars opening in Baltimore recently.  Here’s just to name a few:

Langermann’s – Canton – Located at the Can Company in Canton, this place took over what used to be Kiss Cafe.  They seemed to do a much better job of giving the place an identity and atmosphere, something that Kiss Cafe could never do.  It’s an “upscale casual” place, with white tablecloths, but a chill setting.  The bar looks like a cool/cozy place to hang out.  I was able to eat lunch there the other day, and the food was great.  It is pegged as “southern inspired global cuisine”.  The turkey apple and brie sandwich with smoky mountain pepper jam on raisin bread was to die for.  I will definitely be going back for dinner sometime.  http://www.langermanns.com/

Field House – Canton – Also at the can company is the newly opened Field House.  This took over the place where Ray Lewis’ used to be and is described as an “upscale sports bar”.  Field House has another location in Philadelphia. http://fieldhousebaltimore.com/

Milan - Little Italy -  Described as an ”upscale restaurant and lounge” this place just opened along Eastern Ave in Little Italy.  With a motto of “where food meets fashion” it sounds like it is a pretty trendy type of place.  The food is described as “Italian infused with Mediterranean flavors”.  They even have “Italian inspired sushi” sounds interesting!  A large patio make it look like this place will be really popular in the summer. http://www.onemilan.com/

Rowhouse Grille – Federal Hill – Recently opened along Light Street in Federal Hill/South Baltimore this cozy looking bar looks like a great place to pick up a drink and an inexpensive sandwich http://www.therowhousegrille.com/

Miguels – Locust Point – This will be the first restaurant to open in the new Silo Point Complex and they will serve Mexican tapas. http://www.miguelsbaltimore.com/ 

Ullswater - Riverside - From the former owners of The Bicycle, this is more low key than the Bicycle and more of a neighborhood place.  http://www.ullswaterrestaurant.com/

Sam’s Kid – Fells Point – near the food of Broadway, serving pan-asian cuisine.  So far its been getting great reviews.

Poe Boys Oyster Bar and Grille – Fells Point – This has opened up where Miss Irene’s used to be. http://www.poeboysfellspoint.com/

Tapas Adela - Fells Point – The new Spanish tapas place at the corner of Thames and Broadway is a member of the Kalisgroup.  If history rings true, then this place is bound to be successful.  The restaurant actually shares its kitchen with Meli around the corner and has been getting great reviews.

It’s nice to see that so many places have been opening considering the economy.  If you can afford it, please support your local restaurants and bars! 

Don’t forget Baltimore Restaurant Week runs from Jan 22nd through February 7th http://www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com/

Post a reply here if you’re able to make it to any of these places and let us know how it was!  Also if I missed anything, e-mail me and let me know, or post a reply.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

There will be a public hearing this Tuesday, January 5th at 6:30 pm to discuss the fate of the historic Senator Theatre in Northern Baltimore City.  There will be four groups/developers that will present their plans for the theatre that were recently submitted to the Baltimore Development Corp.  The four proposals are as follows:

Baltimore, MD (November 23, 2009) – In response to a recently issued Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purchase/lease of the historic Senator Theatre, the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) today announced that it has received for four proposals.
The Senator Theatre, located at 5904-06 York Road in Northeast Baltimore, is within the Govanstowne business district, immediately adjacent to BelvedereSquare, a 161,000 square foot shopping and dining destination. The theatre site is 20,517 square feet with the building measuring 17,868 square feet.
Opened in 1939, the single-screen theatre, which seats approximately 900, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The following proposals were received:
1. The Lofts at the Senator Theatre
Developer/Operator: JR Owens Corporation (JR Owens)
This proposal calls for a mixed-use development that includes the renovation of the existing movie theatre along with new construction of 24 two bedroom/two bath rental apartments on three floors, 27 secure parking spaces in the basement of the new construction and existing retail space.
2. The Senator Theatre, LLC
Developer/Operator: James Cusack, Jr. and Kathleen C. Cusack (owners of the Charles
Theatre)
Architect: Alex Castro
The developer proposes to maintain the building as a single screen movie theatre, restaurant and crepe shop with alternates 1) that would provide for a second screen and an arts education area in the approximate 2,000 square foot triangle to the south of the theatre, and 2) a sliding glass door system in the front of the restaurant.
3. The Theatre Project PUPKIDS, Inc.
Developer/Operator: Noch-Noch, Productions (Enoch Cook III)
This proposal suggests the mixture of live performances and cinemaplex attractions simulating a staged Vaudeville Revue to attract interest in puppetry and puppeteers.
4. WTMD…..At The Senator
Developer/Operator: Senator Theatre Redevelopment, LLC (Towson University, Robert L.
Caret, President)
Architect: Zigner/Snead Architects
General Contractor: Whiting-Turner Construction
WTMD-FM, Towson University’s public radio station (focusing on contemporary music and arts) proposes to relocate to the Senator Theatre through a historically sensitive renovation of the interior, a new addition to the south side of the building as well as an expansion of existing space on the north side of the theatre. The Senator will be home to WTMD’s daily operations, as well as a schedule of films, educational activities, concerts and community events designed to reach people from all over the region. The station will connect and promote the events taking place in the theatre.
The proposals are being reviewed by BDC.

I for one would like to endorse the proposal by Towson University’s radio station WTMD.  Over the past 5 years, the non-profit WTMD has shown a huge commitment to Baltimore City and County by providing music and events that benefit all of its citizenry.  They have helped create a more vibrant community of music lovers to the area by introducing new artists to the local scene as well as promoting local artists nationwide.  WTMD is one of the institutions that helps make Baltimore a cool and funky place to live and it seems that their proposal to re-make the Senator Theatre into a multi-purpose venue will help them continue their mission.

I hope many of you can attend to show your support!

The University of Maryland Medical Center has launched a major renovation and expansion of the shock trauma center to meet growing demand in the region.  The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center was the worlds first trauma center of its kind and continues to be the premier trauma center in the nation.  The project is expected to cost over 100 Million Dollars and will start in the spring.

According to the University of Maryland Website:

“The construction taking place at the University of Maryland Medical Center, located in Baltimore, consists of two projects.

The Trauma Critical Care and Emergency Medicine Services Expansion (Phase IV) will be a seven-story building with a full basement located on a 10,000 SF site. In total, 140,000 SF of new construction and 45,000 SF of renovation will be performed. This includes site work improvements, two new chillers and substations, relocation of an existing fuel tank, a new laboratory, nine new ORs, 18 new PACU beds, 64 new ICU beds, and a two-story penthouse with AHUs and substations.

The Shock Trauma Renewal Project (STC-R) consists of 67,000 SF of renovations and upgrades to the existing R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. These include fire alarm and sprinkler upgrades, a rework of existing corridor HVAC, renovation of existing ICUs, penthouse infrastructure upgrades, and a helipad replacement.”