Commercial Development on Washington Blvd

[Bill E]

While we are discussing Porters and the commercial development efforts along Washington Blvd...

Who is interested in providing volunteer assistance to assist in the commercial re/development along the Blvd? This might be helping brainstorm strategies to get new businesses in, assisting existing businesses respond to customer/community need, etc. There are some groups now doing this, but there may be more opportunities for folks interested in helping. And any help is appreciated -- everyone's input and assistance helps!!

If you are interested, in any capacity, let me know. Or if you think others might be, pass the word around and lets start talking. There may be some big opportunities ahead and I would like to get a "movement" together now so that we can make the most of it.

Looking forward to the dialogue...!

[Neil]

I think thats a great idea. There is a ton of potential on Washington Blvd to really be cleaned up. I only moved in a month ago (never had a chance to visit Porters), but there does seem to be a great deal of enthusiasm in the community to support local businesses. I would think that the relative affordability of the area and the willingness of the residents to support the businesses would be able to attract more redevelopment.

In any event - I would be interested in helping out in any way I can. Since I work full time and go to school part time, my schedule is pretty limited. It would be tough for me to take on too much of a leadership role but I would be interested in participating in brainstorming sessions or helping out wherever needed. I have a few ideas of things that I think might be attractive to local businesses. Feel free to email me at [e-mail] if your idea gains some momentum and you need some volunteer help.

[Nicole]

I can start a petition to give to Trader Joe's to let them know we're interested in them making a hostile takeover attempt on Sav-A-Lot.



My husband and I will help. We can't make the community meetings because we work in DC and NoVA, and can't get back in time. But we are willing to help at other times of the week. Just let us know!

Nicole

[Carol Ott]

I'm in! Let me know when, where, how, etc.

[rob231]

This looks promising:

August 22, 2006 Press Release

Baltimore, MD (August 22, 2006) – Today, the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) announced the selection of development teams for two sites in the Pigtown/Washington Village Business District, a designated Baltimore Main Street area.

Historic Pigtown Development, LLC (Neil Katz, Mark Shapiro, Cheryl Parker Hamilton, Tristan O’Connell and Neil Junker) was awarded Site 1 (925, 927, 929, 931 and 937 Washington Boulevard) for a mixed-use development consisting of residences above ground-level retail.

925 & 927 Washington Boulevard – space will be combined to create retail space on the lower level with rental apartments on the upper floors.

929-937 Washington Boulevard – will be combined with 1240 W. Cross Street (currently owned by the developers) to create a ground-level 3,000 square foot restaurant with patio, 2,200 square feet of office space on the second floor and rental apartments on the third level.

(The team also owns 923 Washington Boulevard and plans to include this property in the development project with ground level retail and artist lofts or rental apartments on the upper floors.)

New City Partners, LLC (composed of New City One, LLC – Kirsten Brecht and Joseph Yaffe and Magnum Construction, Inc. – Marc and Patrice Smith) was awarded Site 2 (761, 763, 765, 767 Washington Boulevard and 760 Eislen Street) for a mixed-use retail/residential development that includes a full-service restaurant on the first floor with rental apartments or condominiums on the upper floors.

Commenting on the selections, BDC President M.J. “Jay” Brodie said, “Each of the development teams are experienced and presented thorough ideas and designs in keeping with the existing architecture, bringing needed additional retail to the neighborhood.”

In February, BDC, on behalf of the city, issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the properties, with the goal of encouraging quality mixed-use development that enhances and anchors the Pigtown/Washington Village Business District and helps to create a vibrant commercial corridor.

BDC will enter into an Exclusive Negotiating Privilege (ENP) with each of the developers.

[Carol Ott]

I'm thrilled to see that Marc Smith is still going to be around after he's done with 784 and 782 Washington Boulevard, and we can definitely expect exciting things from Tristan O'Connell!

This is excellent news!

[streetchie]

A couple of nice articles about this today. One in the Business Journal. baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2006/08/21/daily13.html?t=printable

and the other in the Sun.
www.baltimoresun.com/business/realestate/bal-bz.pigtown23aug23,0,3917594.story?coll=bal-realestate-headlines-1

[miranda]

Hi everyone

This is fantastic news indeed. We're all glad to see that things are happening on Washington Blvd.

As far as getting involved, community participation is vital. When BDC received the proposals for the properties, community members (some pulled from Citizens of Pigtown) were asked to provide input into which proposals they thought were strongest. Because this core group of people now know quite a bit about development and have worked with BDC, and attended the "what the community wants to see on the Blvd" meeting that many of the rest of us also attended in the winger. I recommend getting in touch with them as a starting point for business development steering committee consisting of residents.

A good start would be contacting either Michael Parks, Darryl Landy or Narda Carroll. I can get you their contact info if desired. Email me/citizens of pigtown at [e-mail]