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The official newsletter of The Historic Charles Street Association - Issue 39
The HCSA is pleased to present our monthly "E-News" which will provide you with current information on new business openings and exciting projects taking place in the Charles Street district.
March 1, 2008
Tonight's the Night! - The HCSA holds its second annual fundraising event, Masquerade on Charles, tonight at the beautifully renovated Tremont Grand, 225 North Charles Street. There will be dancing to the Mood Swings, an open bar, glorious food from some of Charles Street's finest restaurants and a silent and live auction. If you couldn't make it this year, we hope to see you next year.
The HCSA wishes to acknowledge and thank the following sponsors:
Platinum Mask Sponsor:
Tremont Suites Hotels and the Grand Catering and Meeting Facilities
Gold Mask Sponsors:
Peter Angelos and Artemis Properties, Inc.
Southern Management Corporation
Bronze Mask Sponsors:
Heath Design Group
MCF Capital
Metro Gallery
Monumental Life Insurance Company
Water Main Work on Saratoga Street Update - The Baltimore City Water Department reports they have completed repairs related to improvements made to their water main located beneath the street. Temporary repairs to the road surface are being made pending a comprehensive streetscape project from Eutaw to St. Paul Street with work scheduled to begin this summer.
It's a Parade! - The 52nd Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Sunday, March 16, 2008. This parade has been called the jewel in Maryland's emerald crown. Thousands of people will crowd the streets and the sidewalks of the Charles Street corridor to watch the parade which celebrates Irish culture, music, song, and dance. The parade will begin at 2:00 PM at the Washington Monument and end at President Street. For more information and a schedule of events visit www.stpatrickdayparade.com.
Car Sharing - The Parking Authority of Baltimore City is working to bring car sharing to Baltimore. Car sharing is a relatively new concept that has taken root in some larger cities to help alleviate parking demand, traffic congestion and improve air quality. The Parking Authority is creating a business plan and pro forma to create a non-profit organization, modeled after the very successful PhillyCarShare, which offers memberships with no application or monthly fees and low hourly rates. They are pursuing local funding and support in order to put cars on the street by the fall of this year. Charles Street is being considered as a potential location. We will keep you posted on the progress of the plan as well as more details about how Car Sharing works in future newsletters.
Streetscape Project - Construction is currently taking place on Charles Street between Lanvale Avenue and North Avenue. In the coming weeks, a crew will work on the manhole at Charles and Preston. A new phase of the project will begin the week of March 10th when granite curb installation begins on Charles Street between Madison and Read. Please contact Kristin Speaker at 410-649-2052 or Frank Culotta at 443-418-8805 for additional information.
Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden - A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in early to mid-April for the prayer garden. Construction documents have been submitted to the City as part of the building permit application. The construction schedule and the timetable for installing the banner, garden, and sculpture is dependant upon receipt of permits from the City. If you would like to see a recent rendering of the prayer garden, please email robin@charlesstreet.net.
One North Charles - The former Blaustein Building, purchased by the Wilmington based The Buccini/Pollin Group, has started construction on the renovations which will include an upgrade of the building systems and a new Charles Street entrance. The project is scheduled to be completed later this year.
My Sister's Place Women's Center - The Women's Center at 17 West Franklin is anticipated to open in August 2008. It will provide women and their children access to a wide range of services. The Center will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday to 150-175 women and children. The success of the Women's Center will depend on the involvement of Catholic Charities' many wonderful community partners and volunteers. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Jackie Reid at 410-261-6762 or email jreid@cc-md.org. For more volunteer information visit www.cc-md.org/MSPWC/GetInvolved.html.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
The HCSA is committed to being the driving force behind many of the key initiatives to improve our community and ensure the Charles Street district remains safe and vital. These initiatives include advocating and problem solving for the businesses along Charles Street, addressing issues related to safety and security and filling empty storefronts. One of the primary responsibilities of The Historic Charles Street Association is advocacy and problem solving on behalf of its members. We are pleased to report the following:
1. Plans have been finalized to enhance the red doors on the Verizon building located in the 300 block of North Charles Street with colorful graphic designs. The project is anticipated to begin in the next few months.
IN THE WORKS
1. Notified the City about repairing the malfunctioning easy park meters located on the west side of Charles Street in the 500 block, as well as two meters located on Franklin Street.
2. In conversations with area restaurants to create a cafe environment in front of the Verizon building in the 300 block of North Charles Street.
3. Removal of overflowing trash in back alleys.
What can we do for you?
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK...
322 N. Charles Street - Lumbini, a new restaurant featuring a Nepali and Indian Buffet has officially opened. They also serve Pizza, Subs and Pasta. For more information call: 410-244-5556.
HAVE YOU HEARD?
222 N. Charles Street - The Charles Plaza EATS Food Court will be getting WI-FI in the food court in the near future.
REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITIES
If you are interested in buying or selling commercial or investments properties, contact Byrnes & Associates: 410-528-1236 or email kempbyrnes@verizon.net
If you have available retail space for lease, email Nan Rohrer, Downtown Partnership’s Retail Development Director: nrohrer@dpob.org
For information on residential properties for sale and residential units for rent, retail and office space for lease, visit:
Coldwell Banker Commercial NRT - www.cbcnrt.com
Corridor Reznick LLC - www.corridorllc.com
Tower Hill Properties - www.thprops.com
About The HCSA
The mission of The Historic Charles Street Association is to make Charles Street a distinctive destination for visitors to the city and local residents through the support, retention, and promotion of commerce in our district. We are a tax-exempt charitable organization that serves businesses and property owners in the Charles Street district from the Inner Harbor to North Avenue who share our commitment to a unique and vibrant community.
We are a devoted advocate for the betterment of The Historic Charles Street District and depend on the support of our members to continue to make an impact. For membership information please visit our website at www.charlesstreet.net
Our members are always welcome to attend our monthly Executive Board Meetings which are held on the third Wednesday of every month at the Downtown Partnership, 217 N. Charles Street. If you are interested in attending, please email robin@charlesstreet.net
Resources - (Who to call for what)
Broken Glass on the street or sidewalk from Pratt Street to Centre Street - contact the Downtown Partnership (DPOB) at 410-244-1030. Above Centre Street - contact the Midtown Community Benefits District at 410-528-1512
City Services - 311 is Baltimore's new number to call for all city services. All calls to 311 go through a One Call Center, a 75-agent in-bound call and dispatch center manned 24 hours a day every day of the year.
Exterior Building Signs or Banners - to begin the approval process for any exterior building sign or banner, a permit application needs to be filed at the permit counter, 417 E. Fayette Street, room 100. For more information call 410-396-3360
Facade Improvement Program - contact LaToya Staten (DPOB) at 410-244-1030 or lstaten@dpob.org
Liquor Licenses - for assistance with all liquor license issues contact Bob Dengler (DPOB) at 410-605-0451
Malfunctioning Easy Park Meters - contact Robin Budish (HCSA) at 410-332-4144
Safety Escorts - anyone wishing to receive an escort while walking to their car or bus, or waiting for a taxi after dark should contact 410-244-8778 during business hours or 410-802.9631 after hours. Downtown Partnerships Public Safety Guides are available within the DMA District from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM seven days a week.
Safety and Security Issues - for non-emergency situations in the Charles Street district, contact Deputy Major Joseph Conway at 410-396-2410 or email Joe.Conway@baltimorepolice.org
Streetscaping above the monument - contact Kristin Speaker (CSDC) at 410-649-2052
The Homeless - for assistance with all issues regarding the homeless from Pratt Street to Centre Street contact Tom Yeager or Bertina Silver (DPOB) at 410-244-1030. Above Centre Street - contact the Midtown Community Benefits District at 410-528-1512
You are a valuable member of the HCSA and we welcome your input. Please send all comments and suggestions to:
Robin Budish
Executive Director
p: 410-332-4144
fx: 410-332-4433
robin@charlesstreet.net |
