The recently enacted Open Skies agreement loosens the restrictions of international air travel, which could be a boon to BWI’s struggling international terminal.  Originally, it was thought that Southwest would start discount trans-Atlantic flights out of BWI using their partner ATA.  However, the demise of ATA airlines means that partner Southwest will not likely start international service any time soon.  However, BWI seems to be courting European discount airliner RyanAir to provide service overseas. 

Click HERE to read the article.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

One of the things many of us take for granted here in Baltimore is the wonderful arts scene.  With it’s many theatres, world class museums, art galleries, and music venues, Baltimore probably should have garnered more than the #9 ranking recently issued by American Style magazine.  I suppose being in the top ten isn’t anything to snuff at, but for a city the size of Baltimore, the amount of cultural venues is fairly high. 

Just do Baltimore a favor…next time you get the inkling to go to a show or a museum, instead of hopping to New York or Washington, try a trip to your own back yard.  Walters…BMA…CenterStage…Hippodrome…Lyric…just to name the biggies. You might just be surprised.

Click Here to Read the Article in American Style

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

With gas prices skyrocketing, it seems as if there are far more bicyclists on the street these days.  Unexpectedly, the MTA will be making easier for cyclists to get around town.  The MTA is starting to test out bike rack systems on some of their bus routes.  So far about 130 buses have been outfitted.  MDOT is also installing 250 secure bicycle lockers at 25 locations throughout the Baltimore region, including seven Baltimore Metro stations, four light rail stations, and ten MARC stations.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

FreshFarm Markets has announced that they’re bringing their concept to Harbor East.  The market will operate on Saturdays from June 14th to October 25th, 9 AM to 1 PM.  FreshFarm Markets operates farmer’s markets around the Chesapeake Region, including Annapolis, St. Michael’s, Silver Spring, and Dupont Circle.  The Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times of London have named the Dupont Circle FreshFarm Market one the best in the country.  Hopefully the one in Harbor East will rank as high.  Read More…

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

This week’s issue of Rolling Stone will apparently have an article on Baltimore’s growing music scene, naming it the “Best Scene” in the nation.  It appears that the article will focus a bit more on the grunge, heavy metal, hip-hop, and Baltimore’s underground music scene.  READ MORE.

The Updated Key Highway Waterfront Study Draft was recently released.

 Download the PDF document - FYI it’s large 9MB.

Not development news, but I couldn’t resist: 

In barely more than six weeks, Henry Hager will have a new wife — Jenna Bush, as you may have heard — and a brand-new graduate degree in business. So presumably a new job is on the horizon?

According to a student at the University of Virginia’s Darden School, where Hager is in the final weeks of MBA study, Hager’s friends are buzzing that President Bush’s future son-in-law will be going to work for Baltimore-based Constellation Energy. Maryland’s largest power company declined to confirm or deny a hire, and both Darden officials and the White House declined to comment, but the chatter makes sense: Hager, 29, a former Karl Rove aide and Commerce Department staffer, interned last summer for another energy giant, ConocoPhillips, and more recently served as “VP for traditional energy” of Darden’s Energy Club, a pre-professional student group sponsored by . . . Constellation Energy.

Also: The betrothed couple has reportedly house-hunted in the Baltimore area, according to People. They’ll get hitched at the Bush family ranch in Crawford, Tex., on May 10.

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.