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

Finally a politician is putting an emphasis on public transportation in Baltimore.  If only such an urgency was in place 20-30 years ago, we wouldn’t have this mish-mash mess of transportation systems that connect poorly to each other (if at all).  Even though it’s the “in” thing to do (considering gas prices, global warming, pollution, etc…) at least someone is doing SOMEthing.  

Shiela Dixon took the next step in the Red Line project today by appointing a liaison to resolve community concerns and presumably help push the project forward.  Mayor Dixion said the Red Line was one of her top priorities. 

 The Red Line has gained some opposition, particularly from residents of Fells Point who can bear to see Alice Anna and Fleet turned into one way streets while trying to jam a light rail down the middle. 

A Canton resident myself, I would love to be able to hop on a train and make it downtown in 5 minutes without having to pay $25 for parking, but I do share some of the same concerns of my neighbors in Fells Point. 

I happened upon an interesting post from a fellow blogger at baltimoreinnerspace that proposed extending the current Metro, which currently ends at Hopkins Hospital, to Canton Crossing (Ed Hale’s new mixed use development on Boston St.) instead of building the new Red Line. Although it bypasses Fells Point and the Main Part of Canton, it would pass through areas that have a great amount of potential for future development.  It doesn’t seem like a bad idea.  Check out his post here:

http://baltimoreinnerspace.blogspot.com/2006/10/red-line-should-turn-green-running-red.html

 I’m interested to hear what people think.  Post a comment if you have an opinion.  If you want to share your opinion with the city, there will be a community meeting on May 10th, 2008 from 9am to 1pm at the Baltimore Convention Center. 

To learn more about the Red Line, visit http://www.baltimoreredline.com/

Proposed Red Line Route:

The Baltimore Business Journal reported today that Baltimore City Community College will be requesting proposals to add shops, offices, and possibly housing at the existing downtown campus.  The development will occur in BCCC’s existing Bard building and a space they own in the Harbor Park Garage across the street.  The Cordish Company, which owns the nearby Power Plant and Power Plant Live complexes has already expressed interest.  Cordish may use this opportunity to connect all of their developments in the area.  BCCC will continue to offer classes at this location. 

If for some reason you ever feel down about living in Baltimore, just be glad you don’t live in one of America’s 10 most miserable cities according to Forbes Magazine.  Baltimore, which seemed to be dogged by “worst of” lists in the late 90’s and early 00’s managed to stay off the list.  This could be a signal that negative opinions of Baltimore from outsiders are changing.  The measurement is based on a city’s unemployment rate, personal tax rate, commute time, weather, crime, and toxic waste proximity. The top ten “most miserable” cities, according to Forbes:

1. Detroit, MI
2. Stockton, CA
3. Flint, MI
4. New York City
5. Philadelphia, PA
6. Chicago, IL
7. Los Angeles, CA
8. Modesto, CA
9. Charlotte, NC
10. Providence, RI

I managed to get a tour of the recently renovated Bromo Seltzer Tower.  The renovations were quite amazing, especially considering the shoestring budget which the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts and contractor Azola and Associates had to work with.  The Bromo Seltzer Tower once housed the executives for the Bromo Seltzer Company.  The factory which once surrounded the building was torn down long ago and is now occupied by a Baltimore City Fire Station.  The tower was the tallest building in Baltimore for quite some time.  Supposedly, the huge bright blue bottle that used to sit on top of the building could be seen from as far away as the Eastern Shore, although I’m not too sure about that.

The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA) are looking for artists to lease the studios in the building.  Currently the building is about 1/3 leased.  BOPA also is looking for a coffee shop to lease the lower level of the building.  The coffee shop would double as an art gallery for the buildings artists.  Visit www.bromoseltzerartstower.com for more information.  Hopefully the building’s artists and visitors will add to the vibrancy of the downtown area and west side.

Baltimore’s development arm, the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) recently released a snapshot of their master plan for the Charles North Area, AKA Station North, north of Penn Station. 

While the plan calls for higher density high rises, including a 60 story building, it seems unlikely that any of those would come to fruition in the near future, although the BDC has plans to acquire about 18 properties to start the revitalization process.

 The most tangible aspect of the plan could be the addition of a boutique hotel to the top three floors of Penn Station in conjunction with a renovation/expansion of the train station and concourse as reported in the Baltimore Business Journal.  http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2007/10/15/story7.html

 I’m curious to hear what people think about a potential 60 story building in this neighborhood.  Add your comments or shoot me an e-mail.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Baltimore’s tallest building, the Legg Mason building, is getting a new parking garage.  Contractors recently broke ground on the new 10 story structure located across the street from the Legg Mason building near the corner of Light and Lombard.  Burke’s Restaurant, currently at the location will apparently remain and will supposedly get a face-lift.  It appears that the building’s owners are preparing for Legg Mason’s exodus to their new headquarters in Harbor East as a selling point for future tenants.  Parking, or should I say lack thereof, was a major reason for Legg’s departure. 

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

The Old Town National Bank building - aka the UTZ Building - will be converted into  a 70-room hotel .  The UTZ sign will stay. Baltimore Sun article.

We all know the Baltimore Harbor is gross - littered with every type of floating trash imaginable, not to mention the occasional floating fish kill. But if you’ve ever been on or near the water just after a heavy rainfall you realize how bad the trash problem really is. I used to get an up-close look at this when I commuted from Fells Point via the Water Taxi.  Trash from every Baltimore street corner, storm drain, and alley flows into the Harbor.  And it’s not just Baltimore City’s trash.  Some trash flows down from Baltimore county via the Jones Falls.  Apparently not much stands in the way of trash as it flows into the Harbor. I always thought there has to be a way for the city to filter/strain the storm drains - and empty them out on a weekly basis. Read the rest of this entry »