The official newsletter of The Historic Charles Street Association - Issue 43 The HCSA is pleased to present our monthly "E-News" with current information on new business openings and exciting projects taking place in the Charles Street district. July 1, 2008 No Parking? No Problem! - The trial discount parking program at the Franklin Street Garage (on Franklin between North Charles and Cathedral Street) will end on July 31, 2008. 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. For more information or to request discount parking coupons please email robin@charlesstreet.net. Saratoga Street Update - Work is being performed by Trigen to repair and/or replace a steam line and is expected to take from one to two months. Motorists will continue to be alerted of the traffic bottleneck through signs provided by the City on Charles and Saratoga Streets. Circulating Downtown - Downtown Partnership continues to work with Mayor Dixon and the City Council to begin running a free bus circulator throughout Downtown Baltimore beginning July 2009. 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. The first route to go "live" will be the East Loop that will service Harbor East, JHU Hospital, Broadway in Fells Point, and the area around City Hall, including some lower cost parking lots.  Streetscape Project - The installation of granite curbs and pavers continues on the east side of Charles Street. The corners of the 800 and 900 blocks will be completed soon. The street and pedestrian lighting will be installed in the coming weeks. Please contact Kristin Speaker at 410-659-7767 or Frank Culotta at 443-418-8805 for additional information. The B&O Building - Located at 2 North Charles Street, is now being redeveloped as a Hotel Monaco. Approximately 2/3 of the building will be converted into 220 hotel rooms with the remainder staying as office space. The anticipated completion is January 2009. The project is reported to be on schedule. 39 West Lexington - the former BGE headquarters building owned by Southern Management Corporation, has been converted to 183 apartments. The building has been open for leasing and strong sales reflect that despite the national housing slump, demand for downtown housing is still strong.  301 North Charles Street - Will be redeveloped as a new 97-room Lifestyle hotel. The developer/owners want to get the project started by the end of the 2008 and are working on historic tax credits and securing financing.  One East Redwood - Cambria Suites, a new 160-room hotel is scheduled to open 2010, however, developers are still working on the project planning.  Quality Inn - A new project currently under construction at St. Paul and Lexington Streets, plans to open a 100-room hotel at the end of 2008. Artscape - the region's premier celebration of the arts will be held on July 18 - 20, 2008 in the 1200 block of Mount Royal Avenue and the 1400-1700 blocks of Charles Street. This event is America's largest, municipally-produced arts festival that remains free and open to the public. For more information visit http://www.artscape.org/. Baltimore Restaurant Week - back by popular demand, food lovers from across the country will have the opportunity to explore the region's exciting dining scene. During this weeklong celebration beginning July 26 through August 3, 2008, diners can enjoy a variety of three-course dinners for only $30.08 and three-course lunches at select restaurants for just $20.08. For more information visit http://www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com/. 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: The project to enhance the Verizon red doors in the 300 block of Charles Street with colorful graphic designs is still on schedule to begin this summer. IN THE WORKS 1. In conversations with area restaurants to create a cafe environment in front of the Verizon building in the 300 block of North Charles Street. 2. On-going removal of overflowing trash in back alleys. 3. Meeting with local restaurant owners and the City to bring a valet program to Charles Street. What can we do for you? WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBER 4 East Madison Inn - 4 East Madison Street HAVE YOU HEARD? 222 N. Charles Street - WI-FI is now up and running at the Charles Plaza EATS Food Court. Patrons can receive I hour of free Internet service with purchase. The access codes will be given directly from the vendors.  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: MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services, LLC - http://www.mackenziecommercial.com/ Corridor Reznick LLC - http://www.corridorllc.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 second 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