Locust Point : Development News

Developers in Baltimore came together last Thursday to celebrate their own. The Baltimore District Council of The Urban Land Institute  hosted the first annual WaveMaker Awards event at the Legg Mason Tower in Inner Harbor East. The awards were given to developers whose local projects are unique, innovative, and visionary; the seven WaveMaker recipients were honored alongside the national ULI's Heritage Award Winner, Baltimore's Inner Harbor.

Earlier this year, ULI Headquarters honored Baltimore's Inner Harbor with its prestigious Heritage Award. The award is bestowed periodically on developments that have demonstrated industry excellence and made substantial contributions to their community's well-being for at least 25 years. Only eight developments have been selected to recieve the prestigious award in the past 35 years.

"Through the redevelopment of 192 acres of dilapidated and abandoned waterfront property, the Baltimore Inner Harbor catalyzed reinvestment in Baltimore -- supporting more than 50,000 new jobs, generating $60 million in new tax revenue, and generating a $4 billion tourism industry that was previously non-existent. The harbor now stands as the model for post-industrial waterfront redevelopment around the world," states the national selection

The ULI Baltimore also recognized the seven recent local projects that demonstrate industry excellence with the WaveMaker Award.

These projects are respectful of their surrounding neighborhood, economy, history, geography, and local government, and provide strong economic returns to stakeholders. The WaveMakers  were able to stretch the boundaries of what was considered possible and accelerate sustainable, prosperous development in Baltimore.

"ULI Baltimore is excited to build on the Heritage Award presented to Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The WaveMaker Award is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the developers and projects that are shaping Baltimore's skyline," notes ULI Baltimore Chair, Caroline G. Moore.

The 2009 WaveMakers are:

Miller's Court, 2601 N. Howard St., Seawall Development Company

Silo Point, 1200 Steuart St., Turner Development Group

Legg Mason Tower, 100 International Dr., H&S Properties Development Corp.

Fairfield Inn by Marriott, 101 S. President St., Summit Associates LLC/A&R Development Corp.

Towns at Orchard Ridge, 4020 Maple Ridge Dr., Pennrose Properties/Doracon Development LLC

Baltimore Medical System's Highlandtown Healthy Living Center, 3700 Fleet Street, Highlandtown Development, LLC

American Brewery, 1701 N. Gay Street, Humanim

Latrobe Park in Locust Point has become the site of the city's second dog park. Located on the Andre Street side of the park, the 10,000 square foot playground for dogs cost about $200,000, paid for in part by the Locust Point Dog Park Supporters (LPDPS), a community organization.

"We kicked off the effort [to build a dog park in Locust Point] about two years ago. We raised $50,000 towards the cost of the park. Once we accomplished that, we went to the city and the city realized that we had a committed volunteer group and they offered to do a public/private partnership with us,"explains Meg Kelley, LPDPS treasurer.

With the city onboard, the park quickly took shape with extra elements thrown in for good measure.

"There are things in the park that we otherwise wouldn't be able to have [without the partnership with the city]. Initially we were hoping to just have a fence around some grass so that the dogs can get off the leash. Now, it has a water feature where dogs can play, a hill made out of special dog turf so we can keep the park as clean as possible. We're one of the first dog parks to have that. It helps keep the park clean because we can hose it down and disinfect it.," she says.

Drainage was installed to make the park environmentally friendly and the city also added a "big tree stump" as an additional play feature for the dogs that they run over.

"It's quite a nice addition to our neighborhood," Kelley says.

For those familiar with the city's original dog park in Canton, this one is about the same size, but with a few more bells and whistles. For instance, there's a water feature that snakes, creek-like across a corner of the park -- dogs can splash in it or even have a drink. And a big hill in the middle is covered with artificial canine turf, to keep it looking green all year.

Whether you're a business owner, community organization or just a neighborhood regular, if you have a business opening or that has recently opened tell us about. You could find your new business featured in our development news section.

The Baltimore-based Parks & People Foundation, is offering up to $1,000 for groups interested in greening their neighborhood. The monies, part of a partnership with the Baltimore Community Foundation and the Cleaner Greener Baltimore Initiative, provides up to $1,000 in Neighborhood Greening Grants for those planning projects that will plant trees, create community gardens, clean up and restore vacant lots, clean up neighborhoods, create green schoolyards, improve water quality improve and provide environmental education activities. Grant funds may also be used for tools, plant material, equipment and other needed supplies.

When native Baltimorean Rosalind Holsey made the decision to open her salon at 525 E. Fort St., she dusted off notes, gathered over the span of her career, in order to create her version of the perfect hairstyling studio. The result? Salon 7.

"I have a Baptist background, and the number seven in the Bible means 'complete,'" Holsey says. "I've been a stylist for 25 years, and I'm mature now and I have a whole vision. I wanted to put all my business experience into this salon and make it complete."

This is the fourth consecutive salon for Holsey, who is a Paul Mitchell color and national educator. Her fan base knows her from her previous locations: A Stylist Dream, The Next Phase, and Studio Transition. But with Salon 7, Holsey has created a smaller, more intimate setting, albeit with an "industrial" feeling. The 500 square-foot space boasts hardwood floors, a tin ceiling, recessed lighting, two eight-foot window displays, and soothing tones of orange and sage green.

The salon, which carries a full array of Paul Mitchell products, features three styling stations and four "bars": a wet bar for shampooing; a tool bar where patrons can educate themselves about product; a texture bar with an array of relaxer and permanent services, and a color bar. Known as the "Color Cafe," the color station offers a menu of candy-themed color treatments such as pineapple, banana, strawberry, blueberry and lemon-lime. The wet bar features a range of sensory experiences, such as a brown sugar scalp scrub and a rinse with sparkling water.

Holsey attended Walbrook Senior High School (now Walbrook High School) in West Baltimore, where she specialized in barber services, and studied massage therapy at the Community College of Baltimore County and hairstyling with Paul Mitchell.

"What I like about Baltimore is that you can make your own destination," Holsey says. "It's all about how you perceive the way you want to live. I grew up with some humble beginnings, but with faith and perseverance, you can start a business here and have a good chance."

Writer: Lucy Ament
Source: Rosalind Holsey, Salon 7

Locust Pointers will get an infusion of heat as the cool weather sets in this year. Miguel's, billed as a Spanish-style tapas restaurant, is slated to open this fall in the Silo Point Condominium Building on the peninsular neighborhood's north side. The restaurant is the brainchild of Michael Marx, owner of Texas barbecue restaurant RUB on Light Street in Federal Hill (and of the former Blue Agave Restaurante y Tequileria in the same neighborhood).

Farrah Zuckerman, sales and settlement coordinator for Silo Point Condominium Building, says an opening date has not been set for Miguel's, which will be located off the building's lobby and will have outdoor seating and a view of the water. The restaurant is expected to draw patrons from nearby Tide Point, a 15-acre corporate office campus in Locust Point.

Also slated for arrival in the Silo Point building, albeit on the retail side next to Prive Salon & Spa, is a gourmet deli. Zuckerman says the name of the deli has not yet been announced, although rumors are circling that the space will become home to a Dean & Deluca, the upscale grocery franchise.

Source: Farrah Zuckerman, Silo Point Condominium Building
Writer: Lucy Ament