Baltimore Grows

As someone who lives a block away from the future McHenry Row development, I have a natural interest in the project’s progress.  Here’s a synopsis of what’s happened at the construction site since last October: NOTHING.  Or at least not much more than nothing.  I snapped the photos here back in October of 2008 – almost 9 months ago.  If you drive by today, you’ll see not much has changed.  Developer Mark Sapperstein ran out of financing back in the fall (BBJ article), and apparently is still working on the new funding.

I say the project’s a tease because the amount of buzz and excitement it has stirred up with area residents.  Federal Hill and Locust Point desperately need a decent grocery store.  Unless you have a special taste for moldy produce, the Shoppers at Southside Shopping Center comes no where close to “decent.”  McHenry row promises to bring relief in the form of a sparkling new Harris Teeter.

Additionally, many of us are excited about other tenant names being thrown around like Panera, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Greene Turtle.  The latter two are both shown on the McHenry Row Website, so there’s likely already a deal in place with those two.  But given the delays, those deals could fall through perhaps.  Green Turtle is particularly exciting.  Having a nice restaurant/bar with outdoor seating and parking in South Baltimore will be a unique luxury.

Babas Mediterranean Kitchen recently opened on Fort Avenue in the Riverside Park neighborhood (which sits between Federal Hill and Locust Point).  It’s nice to see another option for relatively cheap food in the area, that isn’t the same old South Baltimore sub/pizza shop.  Babas is located next to Lime mexican restaurant in spot where Brunos sub shop used to be.  We’ve eaten there once and enjoyed it.  Although there menu is somewhat limited.  Other reviews on the Web have been mixed, and some have compained that Babas has odd hours.  They did a really nice job on the rennovation.

Check out the Sun’s review

Babas Website

There’s an interesting article on the MD Daily Record website about the proposed Walgreens on Key Highway in South Baltimore.

South Baltimoreans are known for being fiercely protective of their harbor views.

In 2007, when developer Richard A. Swirnow proposed building two 26-story condominium towers next to his HarborView project on the Key Highway waterfront, community opposition was so fierce that Mayor Sheila Dixon stepped in to block the proposal.

But now the community of Riverside, which sits adjacent to Federal Hill, is trying to stymie a proposal by developer Mark A. Shapiro to build a Walgreens drugstore at the corner of Key Highway and Boyle Street because the proposed structure is not tall enough.

“You can’t win with them,” Shapiro said. “They’re anti-development.”

I received a comment from a reader about my references to Locust Point. I assume the comment is in response to my posts, as it doesn’t indicate specifically. Apparently I don’t live in Locust Point; I live in (or is it on?) the “Hill.”

You keep calling us Locust Point. We are not Locust Point. Locust Point starts at the second bridge on Fort Ave. aka, railroad bridge. They keep moving towards us. We are the HILL or Harbor South, not Locust Point. The Shopping Center at Southside is not Locust POint, the Housing units on E. Fort Ave. are not Locust Point, they are the Hill, and not Federal Hill either. Stop saying something you have no idea as to what you are talking about. Our location the Hill runs from Riverside Ave, on the west , to 2nd bridge on the east , to R/R tracks on the south, to Key Hwy/water on the North., that is the HILL!!!!! We are not Federal Hill, we are definately not Locust Point, we are the HILL, period , end of story.

Okay, we don’t live in Locust Point. Got it, now it’s all clear to me. But wait, I’m confused again. Why does the Locust Point neighborhood sign sit at Fort Avenue and Lawrence. Not Fort Ave and the 2nd bridge? Why is the restaurant called L.P. Steamers, not Hill Steamers? Why does the Locust Point Civic Association (LPCA) define LP as bounded by Lawrence Street on the West? Why do several of the LPCA’s board of directors live west of the 2nd Bridge on Fort or Woodall? Why does the Riverside Neighborhood Association define it’s boundaries as bounded by Lawrence on the East?

Now I’m familiar with the saying “down the point” or “up the hill” referring to Locust Point vs. Riverside. But according to the boundaries drawn by the various neighborhood associations, the “Hill” doesn’t technically exist as a geographic boundary.

I agree that Southside shopping center doesn’t technically lie in Locust Point, but it’s close enough. I guess some would say it’s more a part of Riverside than LP, but it’s all semantics.

I’m happy to live in Locust Point, the Hill, Harbor South, Riverside, or anything else you want to call it. But I’d like some clarification. If anybody else sees anything else they want to correct me on, please do so; I’m always up for a little education.

The new townhome development by NV Homes on Fort Avenue is well under way.? The community sits between the entrance to Locust Point and the Riverside Community.? Which is funny beacuse the flyer I got in the mail, and magazine advertisements? say “in Federal Hill.”? ? In any case? it is a pretty convienent location.? It is amazing NV Homes was able to carve out such a large piece or property along the densely developed Fort Avenue.? The community will have? roughly 20? homes, with? 4 already partially complete.? The property sits at a relatively high point, so the view should be great.

The homes a pretty large – roughly? 2,000 square feet, 3-4 bedroom, 2.5-3.5 bath,? 3 stories with a roof top terrace.? The sign along Fort Avenue in Locust Point, the? NV Website, and the recent ad in Baltimore magazine says the “Starting Upper $490′s”.? So basically once you have picked your upgrades you can expect? to be spending close to $525 – $550.? That puts them roughly in the same price range as the McHenry Point Homes built by Pulte Homes – located at Silo Point (in Locust Point).

? There are floorplans up on their website.? They seem pretty standard, but a bit stripped down. It doesn’t seem there is an option for a separate shower and bath in the master bathroom – which seems pretty small.? Most of the new construction in the area allows for this option as it seems to be popular.