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The official newsletter of The Historic Charles Street Association - Issue 40
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.
April 1, 2008
Unmasking a Great Time! - HCSA's second annual Masquerade on Charles was a glorious success! Guests danced the night away to the sounds of the Mood Swings orchestra and dined on fine fare from some of Charles Street's finest restaurants. The beautifully renovated Tremont Grand was the perfect backdrop for masked revelers. Stay tuned to the HCSA newsletter for details about next year's Masquerade on Charles.
Circulating Downtown - Downtown Partnership is working with Mayor Dixon and the City Council to begin running a free bus circulator throughout Downtown Baltimore. The City will be seeking proposals from transportation firms to operate the service. Routes for the circulator have not been finalized, but it is hoped the system will run on three different lines, including an east-west corridor along the waterfront, a north-south corridor between the waterfront and Penn Station, and a loop that services Harbor East. Plans call for the circulator to be free and to operate seven days a week from 6:30 AM until midnight. The hope is that the service will begin mid-summer 2009.
No Parking? No Problem! - In an effort to bring more people to Charles Street, the HCSA, in conjunction with other local organizations is working with the Parking Authority of Baltimore City (PABC) to explore the possibility of discounted parking on evenings (after 4:00 PM) and weekends at the Franklin Street Garage. Upon approval from the PABC Board of Directors and the Baltimore City Board of Estimates, the trial discount program will begin May 1, 2008 and end on July 31, 2008. During the trial discount program, parking during evenings and weekends will be free for the first hour and only $2 (with a coupon distributed by the HCSA and local businesses) for up to the next 24 hours. The cost without a coupon will be $4.00. The HCSA will inform its members when and if the trial discount plan has been approved.
Saratoga Street Update - The City's Department of Transportation is planning to advertise the Saratoga Street streetscape project for bids early this spring. The project which extends from Eutaw Street to Saint Paul will include new sidewalks, pedestrian lights, street furniture and a repaved road surface. The work is expected to begin this summer and will take about nine months to complete.
Streetscape Project - A new phase of the project recently began with the installation of granite curbs on the east side of the 800, 900 and 1000 blocks of North Charles Street. The trees on the west side of the 1700 and 1800 blocks will be removed shortly. Please contact Kristin Speaker at 410-659-7767 or Frank Culotta at 443-418-8805 for additional information.
Car Sharing Start-up Plan - The Parking Authority of Baltimore City unveiled the three phases of the start-up plan to bring car sharing to Baltimore. Phase One includes applying for 501(c)3 status with the IRS, hiring an Executive Director, implementing a marketing strategy and establishing contracts with vendors. The website will be launched in Phase Two allowing potential participants to sign-up to receive e-mail updates on the progress of the plan. Phase Three brings the plan to fruition with the identification of pod locations, delivery of the cars and the launch of the program. The HCSA will keep you informed of the status of each Phase of the car sharing plan in future newsletters.
301 North Charles Street - will be redeveloped as a new 97-room Lifestyle hotel. The project, pending on time permit and construction schedules is expected to open 2009.
One East Redwood - Cambria Suites, a new 160-room hotel is scheduled to open 2010.
Artscape Comes to Charles Street - The 27th annual Artscape, to be held July 18 - 20, 2008, is expanding to the Station North Arts & Entertainment District. New this year, the location for America's largest, free public arts festival will include the 1400-1700 blocks of North Charles Street. For more information visit www.artscape.org.
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.
2. Malfunctioning easy park meters located on the west side of Charles Street in the 500 block and on Franklin Street have been repaired.
IN THE WORKS
1. Notified the City about repairing malfunctioning easy park meters located in the 400 block of North Charles 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. On-going removal of overflowing trash in back alleys.
4. In discussions with the Parking Authority of Baltimore City to offer reduced parking rates at the Franklin Street Garage.
5. Meeting with local restaurants to bring a valet program to Charles Street.
What can we do for you?
WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBER
ISS Facility Services - Lanham, Maryland
COMING SOON TO CHARLES STREET...
413 North Charles Street - Joss Café, a new sushi restaurant is planning to open in the fall of 2008. The building is currently undergoing extensive interior and exterior renovations. When the project is complete, plans call for a sushi restaurant on two levels of the building, and three apartments on the upper floors.
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 |
