Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Downtown Partnership: Getting Things Done

 

Pratt Street Progress

Rome, they say, wasn’t built in a day. And, it certainly wasn’t built in a down economy. So we’re pleased to report that progress is being made along Pratt Street that is, one piece at a time, helping fulfill the vision of our Pratt Street Redesign Plan that Mayor Dixon unveiled just one year ago. The Plan is a multi-phase, market-based strategy that, over a period of years, will completely reinvent this important Downtown thoroughfare. 

 

Earlier this year, the earthen hills, or berms, that blocked pedestrian movement and made the north side of the street feel dark and confined, came down near the intersection of Pratt and Charles Street. They’ve been replaced with tree-lined expanses of grass with new public art. This work will continue on the north side of Pratt Street in the coming months. More berms are scheduled to come down closer to Camden Yards, making a major difference in how Pratt Street looks and feels for pedestrians. 

 

The goal of the Redesign Plan is to stimulate private development along Pratt Street, and that’s beginning to happen as well.  For example, the expansive plaza at One Hundred Light Street (the former Legg Mason tower) is undergoing a major renovation to make it more park-like and inviting. 

 

Progress is being made on other fronts as well. A new restaurant, Kona Grill, will be opening on the Pratt Street side of One East Pratt with attractive outdoor dining that was recently approved by the City. Also, work is being done that will allow property owners on the north side of the street to build new space for retail and restaurants. And the City will be improving the roadway and adding new transit and bike lanes.

 

Click here to learn more about the Pratt Street Redesign Plan.

 

Charles Street Dining
Tired of eating leftovers for dinner? Bored with that same old lunch joint? Why not check out some of the great restaurants and cafes on Charles Street? The construction along Charles between Saratoga and Centre Streets isn't stopping area restaurants and bars from constructing great meals and good times. So we're kicking off a new dining initiative to invite people to discover, and rediscover, Charles Street as a prime place to dine and unwind.

 

On November 11, Maisy's, 313 N. Charles, held a free happy hour for Downtown employees and residents and on Monday, December 14, Sofi's Crepes, 333 N. Charles Street, will provide free lunch for Downtown employees- voucher will be required- look for information in future emails.

 

Through monthly promotions and events like these, we're encouraging Downtown residents, employees, and visitors to come see, smell, and taste all that Charles Street has to offer.

 

 

Annual Holiday Lunch Party

Please join us for our Annual Holiday Lunch Party on November 24, at noon. This year's party will be held in 6 office lobbies Downtown and will feature 3-4 restaurants in each.

 

Food is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis so arrive early! Click here for details.

 

Special thanks to The Daily Record.

 

Member Networking

You’re cordially invited to join us for networking in the new Legg Mason Building, 100 International Drive, on Tuesday, December 8, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

 

Take in panoramic views of the city while enjoying food and drinks provided by your favorite Harbor East restaurants. The event is free for members, but space is limited. Pre-registration is strongly urged.

 

To sign up and for more information, click here.

 

 

Downtown for the Holidays

 

38th Annual Lighting of the Washington Monument

Presented by Saul Ewing

Thursday, December 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Enjoy holiday entertainment and a fireworks finale. This year's celebrity lighter is the Baltimore Orioles' Nick Markakis.

 

Baltimore's Monumental Occasion is going green with energy-saving LED lights replacing old-fashioned bulbs on the Monument this year. BGE Smart Energy Savers Program, bgesmartenergy.com, is a proud partner of the Monument Lighting, providing this year’s energy-efficient holiday lights to help Baltimore save energy and money.

 

This year's Monument Lighting Commemorative Art by Zoe Gensheimer, a student at Baltimore School for the Arts.

 

Dollar or Less Days

Presented by Cricket Wireless and Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

December 5 & 6 more than 15 Downtown attractions and museums offer admission for $1 or less! Click here for details.

 

 

 

Holiday Guide

 

Click here for the 2009 Downtown for the Holidays guide to help you plan holiday fun with friends and family.

 

Holiday Safety Tips
Downtown Baltimore is a great place to enjoy your holiday season, with a variety of unique retail stores, restaurants, and events at museums, attractions and theatres. To ensure you enjoy your time in Downtown Baltimore, here are a few safety tips to keep in mind.

  • Use credit cards whenever possible. Keep the amount of cash you carry to a minimum. If you know you will need money for public transportation, carry that amount in your pocket.

  • Men should not carry their wallets in their back pockets.

  • Store your packages in the trunk of your car, out of sight.

  • Nothing you own is as valuable as your life or good health. If someone tries to grab your handbag or packages, let them go.

  • Be aware of people who bump into you in stores, on the street, or on the bus. They may be trying to pick your pocket.

  • Be aware of who is around you when you use an ATM machine. Be careful not to reveal your pin number and don’t walk away from the machine counting your money.

 

Downtown Development and Retail Updates

We compile the following information for the benefit of Downtown stakeholders and investors.  Any use or reprint of this information should be credited to Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.

 

Retail News

 

Now Open

 

Joe’s Bike Shop, a local institution, has opened its second location at 723-B S. Broadway to service the Fells Point neighborhood.

 

N.Y. 47th Street Jewelry has now opened its second location in a beautifully rehabilitated building at 108 W. Lexington St.

 

Mr. Rain’s Fun House is now open above the American Visionary Arts Museum, at 800 Key Hwy.  The menu of this new cafe will feature creative American dishes to cater both to museum-goers and restaurant patrons.

 

The Rowhouse Grille is now open at 1400 Light St. in Federal Hill. The new restaurant and bar will feature eclectic, seasonal entrees and classic pub food.

 

Sam’s Kid is now open at 811 S. Broadway. This new restaurant is bringing pan-Asian small plates and entrees to Fells Point.


 Coming Soon

 

Langermann’s will be opening in the upcoming month at 2400 Boston St in the Can Company.  Occupying the space of former Kiss Cafe, Langermann’s will offer upscale Southern fare, and an extensive wine list.

 

The Midtown Lounge will open by the end of the year above Midtown Yacht Club at 15 E. Centre St. 

 

Development News

 

Camden Yards

 

The Board of Public Works has approved $24 million in structural and energy efficiency upgrades to Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium.  Additionally, the Orioles have issued a Request for Proposals for prospective partners in concessions and merchandising.

 

Westside

 

Demolition on the Superblock will begin soon. The City has awarded a demolition contract to P&J Contracting to demolish twelve buildings as part of the proposed $100 million redevelopment project.

 

Inner Harbor

 

The Baltimore Development Corporation is considering proposals for the Inner Harbor Carousel site. Ideas ranged from repairing the existing carousel to a 4-D theater and traveling museum featuring Ripley’s Believe it or Not artifacts. BDC officials will decide by the end of the year whether to seek full proposals for the carousel site.

 

City Center

 

Baltimore HealthCare Access, Inc., a nonprofit agency affiliated with the Baltimore City Health Department, has renewed and expanded its office space lease at 201 E. Baltimore St. The expansion, from 15,858 sq ft to 21,577 sq ft, is to accommodate expected employment growth. 

 

The Baltimore Convention Center recently awarded a 7 year concessionaire contract to Centerplate.  The new concessionaire plans to enhance the current food and beverage operations at the Convention Center, and focus on a full event or meeting experience.

 

The Maryland State Department of Housing and Community Development, Department of Neighborhood Revitalization has moved to 10 N. Calvert St.

 

Westport and Carroll-Camden

 

The City of Baltimore has approved the $13.6 million sale of land for Celebration Casino to the Baltimore City Entertainment Group. The casino will also expand their original application to the state’s Video Lottery Facility Location Commission to include 3,750 slot terminals instead of the original 500 machines.  A decision is expected this fall from the commission.

 

The Maryland Stadium Authority is conducting a feasibility study to analyze the possibility of bringing two soccer stadiums to Baltimore: a 17,000 – 20,000 seat soccer stadium to Westport for the DC United team and a 7,000-seat facility in Carroll-Camden for the Crystal Palace Football Club, a minor league team currently playing at UMBC.

 

Member News

 

Awards

 

In recognition of the 14 pro bono cases it handled this year, Ober|Kaler has been named Maryland Volunteers Lawyers Service’s 2009 law firm of the year.

 

The University of Maryland Institute of Human Virology has been awarded $18 million in federal grants to further a number of AIDS research projects.

 

BGE has been awarded $200 million in stimulus funding for its smart meter program to allow customers more information about energy pricing and allow them to reduce energy use during peak times.

 

Baltimore City has received $66 million in stimulus funding to renovate and upgrade 270 public housing units across the city to its current inventory.

 

Health/Medical

 

Learn about your local clinical research center and how you can help building awareness about SNBL Clinical Pharmacology Center. SNBL Clinical Pharmacology Center, located in downtown Baltimore, is committed to the development of safe, effective and ethical pharmaceutical products. We partner with community-based physicians, academic organizations and commercial companies in the design and conduct of clinical trials. Our goal is to facilitate the approval and marketing of new, safe and effective drugs and medical devices.

 

SNBL invites you to participate in a research study at our clinical research facility.  We are currently recruiting for the following study: Clinical Research Study For Birth Control- Click here to download a flier for more information.

 

SNBL Clinical Pharmacology Center is conducting a clinical research study of an investigational oral medication for birth control. Qualified participants will receive at no cost for up to 12 months:

Periodic gynecological exams and Investigational oral birth control medication. Females that are 18-40 years of age, sexually active, and have regular menstrual cycles may be eligible for participation. Compensation up to $ 1050.00 is available for time and travel.

 

For more information about this research study please call 410.706.8833 or 1.866.706.8833. Participation is completely voluntary.

 

Events

 

Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) presents its third annual MICA Art Market December 9-12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Brown Center, 1301 W. Mount Royal Ave. This festive sale features fine art and handmade objects by 250 MICA students, alumni, faculty and staff. Admission to the market is free. Holiday shoppers and collectors can discover work by emerging artists as well as find collectibles from leading artists in their respective fields. The market fosters student professional development and peer-to-peer networking, and provides funding for need-based student scholarships.

 

The World Trade Center Institute’s will be celebrating 20 Years of Connecting Local Business to Global Opportunity on December 2, 4-6:30 p.m. Please join us to commemorate WTCI’s ongoing success and Maryland’s growing global business community with a toast to our founders: Harold Adams & William Donald Schaefer. The evening will also feature an international wine tasting, giving you the chance to sample fine wines from around the world. Feeling lucky? Participate in our “mini-vegas” wine quizzes, games, and prizes. Don’t take any chances by missing out on the most anticipated event of the year, a panoramic view of downtown Baltimore, appetizers and more! Register early – space is limited. Click here for information and tickets.

 

US Open Giant Killers Melanie Oudin, who defeated three former world Top 3 players including No. 1 Maria Sharapova,  and John Isner,  who beat Wimbledon finalist Andy Roddick, plus the world No. 1 doubles team The Bryan Brothers  storm into Baltimore on Wednesday, December 9 for the BCF Tennis Challenge presented by The Baltimore Sun Media Group at 1st Mariner Arena. Special Downtown Partnership Member Discount Ticket Offer: $5 discount on all $25 and select $50 and $75 seats. To order tickets, please call TicketMaster at 410.547.SEAT on order online at www.ticketmaster.com. Be sure to use the password “DPOB” to take advantage of the special Downtown Partnership Discount Ticket offer. For more information call 410.296.2929 x21 or visit www.tennischallenge.org. Offer not valid for previously purchased tickets.  Players subject to substitution. All sales final.  No refunds and/or exchanges. 

 

 

GetAroundDowntown.com News

 

The Maryland Transit Administration has received Federal Railroad Administration approval to begin using bi-level passenger cars for high-speed service on the MARC Penn Line to increase passenger capacity.

                                                                                                      For information about Downtown Baltimore: www.GoDowntownBaltimore.com

 

                For traffic information: www.GetAroundDowntown.com

 

 

 

          For family fun: www.KidsLoveDowntownBaltimore.com

 

 

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