The new 10-story parking structure on Lombard St. between Light St. and Charles St. will apparently have a retail component.  The site, which is adjacent to Burke’s Restaurant will serve as a gateway from the Inner Harbor to the downtown portion of Charles St. with its shops and restaurants.  There will be approximately 10,000 sf of retail.  The garage is intended to serve employees of the current Legg Mason and Bank of America Buildings which house far more workers than available parking spaces.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Fred Bealefeld, the (relatively) newly appointed Baltimore Police Commissioner, addressed the Rotary Club of Baltimore today, painting himself as an optimist but also a realist at the same time.  Commissioner Bealefeld seems like the right man for the right time in Baltimore.  The City, who’s success is closely dependant upon the health of the city itself, has largely been measured against it’s fluctuations in crime rates. 

Bealefeld though thinks that the perception of crime might actually have a contributing factor.  For instance for the past few years, crime in Baltimore has been the focus of two elections, tons of media attention, and an entire HBO series (The Wire).  All that negative perception in many ways makes the problem worse….people care less and people think it’s normal to commit a crime.   In fact, Bealefeld said, the perception of crime in Baltimore outstrips the actual crime committed.  An example of this entails a comparison between Baltimore and LA.  Both cities have experienced a similar drop in violent crime over the last 4-5 years.  LA has been lauded for their efforts.  Baltimore is still being criticized.

With the conclusion of The Wire and less media attention on Baltimore’s crime, that perception might be changing.  In fact, a recent Baltimore Sun article glowed that the murder rate for the 1st quarter of 2008 had been the lowest in decades. 

Now that the Police Department can spend less time defending from media attacks and critics, perhaps they can focus on more crime fighting initiatives.  The department’s focus on gun offenders and community policing seem to be paying off. 

Bealefeld seems confident that we’ll continue to hear good news about crime in Baltimore.  In fact, he mentioned that we’ll be hearing some positive news within the next 24-48 hours.   Just think how nice it’ll be to turn on the local news if things continue to improve.  Some say it’s a fluke, some say the numbers are faked, I say keep up the good work!

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Baltimore City approved the sale of land today for the Baltimore Citycenter project.  The green light will pave the way to the construction of the 30 story building which will contain a Summerfield Suites, Hyatt Place, and a residental component.

Read the Article

Read the Previous Post on Hotel Construction in Baltimore

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Baltimore City officials are again setting their sights on the revitalization of the Oldtown Mall just east of Downtown Baltimore.  While revitalization efforts have come and gone over the past several years, it seems as if the chances are better now than ever.  Nestled between downtown and the burgeoning Hopkins area, this area is prime real estate. Reference March 4th Post. 
Read today’s Baltimore Sun Article

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

New retail may be coming to a relatively dead area of downtown.  A new sign on the historic Baltimore Terminal Warehouse Building, currently home to Fort Knox Storage, on the corner on Guilford Ave. and Pleasant St. advertises retail space.  The site, owned by RWN development was originally slated for construction of a new 60 + story tower.  However, due to various issues, that project has been delayed.  It seems as if RWN has some intermediate plans, including the opening of a new music venue “Bourbon Street Live”, while they wait out the delays.  One of setbacks to the construction of the originally planned tower was the demolition of the Terminal Warehouse Building which is undergoing review for historic preservation.  While a new skyscraper would have been nicer, new retail on the worn block will still be a welcome change of pace.  Stay tuned for more developments.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Joss Sushi Bar, the highly acclaimed sushi restaurant on Annapolis’ Main Street, has recently announced that they will be opening their second location in Baltimore this Spring.  The new location will be at 414 N. Charles St. in the Downtown Baltimore area just south of Mt. Vernon.  Joss Sushi Bar in Annapolis is Zagat rated and is considered by many to have the best sushi in Annapolis, if not all of Maryland. 

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

The recent announcement of a proposed Hyatt Place and Summerfield Suites at the Baltimore Citycenter Complex adds to the growing list of hotels proposed or under construction in the Baltimore Area.  Baltimore may owe the boom to an increase in domestic tourism (thanks high gas prices) and higher demand for business accommodations due to Baltimore’s growing economy among other things.  Here’s a list of some of the hotel projects planned or underway.  I’m sure I’ve forgotten a bunch of them, so please leave a comment of any that I’ve missed.

PROPOSED:

1. & 2. Hyatt Place and Summerfield Suites at Baltimore Citycenter

3. Aloft Hotel - Fells Point

4. Cambria Suites - Downtown

5. Inn at Penn Station

6. Sleep Inn - Oldtown/Fallsway

7. Four Points by Sheraton - Downtown

8. Lifestyle Hotel - Downtown

9. Hotel Monaco - Downtown

10. Holiday Inn Express - Oldtown/Fallsway

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: 

1. Hilton Convention Center Hotel

2. Four Seasons Hotel Harbor East

3. Hotel Indigo - Downtown Baltimore

4. Staybridge Suites - Downtown

5. Fairfield Inn & Suites - Jonestown/President St.

6. Red Roof Inn - Downtown

7. One East Redwood - Downtown

8. Quality Inn - Downtown

RUMORED

1. W Hotel - 10 Inner Harbor - Rumors have been flying that W Hotels is eyeing the hotel portion of the proposed 60 story 10 Inner Harbor project at 414 Light St.

http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2008/03/24/story11.html

http://www.sullivansteakhouse.com/

A new coffee shop in Downtown Baltimore will be opening at the recently renovated 222 Saratoga condo building.  The coffee shop, aptly named “Saratoga Coffee” will have its grand opening on 3/19/08.  Located on Saratoga St., between Guilford Ave. and Calvert St., the shop is close to Mercy Hospital, City Hall, and I-83.  Saratoga Coffee will also apparently sell books.  Visit http://www.222saratoga.com/

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

I don’t know whether to laugh or be scared about this story. Today’s Sun has an article on a proposal to build a gondola that runs 1.3 miles from The Convention Center to Fells Point. The more mass-transit the better, but it seems a bit disjointed and disconnected from the existing mass transit that currently exists or is planned. If it did ever get built it would likely end up as a tourist novalty more than a solution for commuters or residents. Similar to the water taxi.  With Baltimore’s recent history of tragic and near tragic events surrounding non-traditional tourist attractions (hot air balloon and water taxi), some govt. officials likely have safety concerns in mind.  Some might not want to be dangling 95 feet above the city when a summer thunderstorm rolls through the harbor.

 

The Winsteads have spent the past several years promoting their vision of a $40 million privately operated system called Baltimore’s SkyLine as efficient and environmentally friendly and an ideal connector to light rail, shuttles and the proposed public transit Red Line. Since completing a $38,000 state-funded ridership study more than a year ago, they’ve lined up investors and put together a construction and design team.

Full article on Balt Sun