development : Development News

Finding the balance between a neighborhood cafe and an upscale restaurant is the greatest challenge, according to Tim Hofman, co-owner of The Falls, a new restaurant that opened Dec. 3 in Mt. Washington.

"First and foremost we focus our attention immediately on the neighborhood. We aim to be a community place where people can come when they've dropped their kids of at school, come in after church, or can bring their paper when they're headed into work and they can pause for half an hour, drink their coffee and read the paper. Or, bring their laptop because we have free WiFi."

The Falls, located at 1604 Kelly Avenue, is the second joint venture for Hofman and co-owner, Mike Sproge. "Mike opened The Evergreen on Cold Spring Lane. I came to help him run it shortly after he bought it. We also have a coffee shop on base at the Naval Academy in Anapolis. It's called the Coffee Mess," he explains.

The Falls, according to Hofman, has more in common with The Evergreen. "We're trying to make it a little more upscale, less of the college funk that worked really well at Evergreen. We're trying to make the place a little nicer. And, here we have our full liquor license that adds a totally different dimension."

Patrons will be able to stop in for a breaksfast bagel, eggs, or pancakes and a very good cup of joe. The lunch menu includes salads, soups and sandwiches. "That aspect of it is a neighborhood hangout. Teachers can come and grade their papers. Students can come and write their papers. A casual neighborhood place.

As the sun begins to set in the evening, The Falls will undergo a bit of a transformation. "That's our exciting new territory for us. We still want to be a part of the community, but we want to have things here that will be a draw for people across town. Namely our evening menu, which has been exciting to develop, and our wine program has been an important part of what we want to bring to the neighborhood," Hofman explains.

The two owners teamed with Al Spoler, co-hose of WYPR's "Cellar Notes" to develop the restaurants wine list. "We have a small but a full-spectrum wine program that was really exciting to put together. We put a lot of thought into it."

Hofman and Sproge also consider themselves to be beer aficionados. So, the two have built a 10-beer tap system into the bar. The beers will focus on American craft brews based in Maryland, New York, California and the Pacific Northwest. The beers will be available on a rotating basis "so that beer lovers and wine lovers from across the city will find us the spot to go to." he notes.

Though The Falls is currently serving a limited menu, Chef Ian Hommel, who came to the restaurant from Vermont, is a follower of the farm to table movement. "He has a passion for fresh, locally sourced ingredients. We're focusing on a few entrees to start with that are just dynamite."

Examples of the type of cuisine The Falls serves includes a Buffalo Flank Steak from the Gunpowder Buffalo Farm in Monkton, MD. "It's American but draws on different culinary traditions."

"We're trying to find the right balance between upscale and unpretentious. Mike and I would never put on airs. We're trying to make a nice place, but its not a fancy place," Hofman concludes.

The Falls is open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Their website is under construction, but you can reach them at 410-367-7840.

Source: Tim Hofman, The Falls
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Mahan Rykiel Associates (MRA), a Baltimore based landscape architectural, urban design and planning firm, is the 2009 recipient of a Merit Award from the Maryland and Potomac Chapters of the American Society of Landscape Architects for the renovation of Baltimore's Charles Center Plaza. 

"It is always rewarding as a landscape architect to take a space which has been neglected for years and transform it into a vibrant, space that revitalizes the surrounding businesses and neighborhood and this project has really done just that," says Scott Rykiel, FASLA, LEED AP, the principal in charge of the project.

Charles Center Plaza was the keystone of Baltimore's Inner Harbor revitalization effort of the 1960's. Recent decades however, brought significant deterioration. Baltimore City and the Downtown Partnership launched a national design competition to identify new solutions that could respond to the current needs of this important urban space.

As part of the winning team, Mahan Rykiel Associates' goal was to create a successful destination space that would recapture the vitality and energy of the original Charles Center vision, but would also introduce new elements to accommodate the changing downtown experience. The designers incorporated well-known characteristics of successful public spaces, characteristics that did not exist in the original plaza, which include: a walkable environment with engaging retail and programmed spaces; flexibility of spaces to support a variety of events, day and night; high quality detailing, including accessible green space; create places to which people are naturally drawn, individually or in groups; with convenient access to parking, restrooms; security.

The $7.5 million plaza renovation took six years to complete, moving from design to construction and has become the catalyst for other development and capital improvements in the area.

Source: Scott Rykiel, MRA
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) says that, it will enter into negotiations with the development team of Seawall Development Company, owned by Donald and Thibault Manekin, and Cormony Development LLC, owned by Samuel Polakoff, for the Parkway Theatre Redevelopment Project located at 1820 North Charles Street, 1 West North Avenue and 3 West North Avenue--the former Parkway Theatre.

Baltimore's Parkway Theatre was designed by Oliver B. Wright and patterned after the West End Theatre near Leicester Square in London. The theatre was acquired in 1926 by the Loews organization and extensively remodeled. Movies remained the mainstay until the theatre was acquired and closed in 1952 by the Morris Mechanic organization. It reopened in 1956 as the Five West Art Theatre, continuing that operation into the mid 1970's when it again closed and remained so until the early 1990's when an attempt was made to open commercial office space in the rear orchestra level. The theatre has remained vacant since 1998.

Seawall and Cormony have proposed a $12.2 million mixed-use project, featuring a 26,189 square foot build-out that incorporates the three properties into a seamless development that celebrates the arts. The team's design incorporates a performing arts venue, bar, a museum and related support space.

The Parkway will undergo an historic renovation, becoming a multi-faceted theatre able to accommodate a wide variety of entertainment. While the focus will be on live music, other options are expected to include community theatre, children's shows, comedy, movies, lectures, and a catering hall.

The existing building at 1 West North Avenue would be replaced with new construction in order to achieve a vibrant, illuminated corner. The new structure will feature a lobby and office for the theatre on the lower levels and commercial uses on the upper floors. Meanwhile, the fa�ade of 1820 North Charles Street will be retained. Each floor in this building becomes an extension of the space on the same floor in 1 West North Avenue. The first floor will house the kitchen for the theatre.

"This proposal and this development team provide a great opportunity to revitalize a historic structure and reinvigorate the most critical area in the Charles North community," says BDC President M.J. "Jay" Brodie. "We are confident that this project will serve as a catalyst for more private investment throughout the community."

The proposal is the result of a Request for Proposals issued in May 2009,  in which the BDC offered the three properties, located within Charles North, the Station North Arts and Entertainment District and the City's Enterprise Zone, for redevelopment. BDC received just two responses to the RFP.

Both a community-appointed Advisory Panel and BDC's Project Review and Oversight Committee unanimously approved the Seawall/Cormony proposal. Subsequently, the Board of Directors of BDC endorsed the proposal and Mayor Sheila Dixon approved the Board's recommendation.

Source The Baltimore Development Corporation
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake has officially opened their new offices in Halethorpe.

"We welcome Habitat for Humanity to Baltimore County, not only for the jobs they bring here, but for the positive change they bring to the hundreds of families and communities that benefit from their work," says County Executive Jim Smith.

The nonprofit housing organization recently combined its Anne Arundel and Baltimore facilities, and brings 38 full time employees, two VISTA members and eleven AmeriCorps members to its new home in Baltimore County. With the move, Habitat is more than tripling the size of its offices, leasing 38,000 square feet of office space on Commerce Drive in Baltimore County's Southwest Enterprise Zone. The nearby presence of the Maryland Food Bank's headquarters was a positive factor in the choice of the Halethorpe location.

"Our new offices allow us to better serve our homeowner families, volunteers and community service partners," says Mike Mitchell, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake.

More than 270 families live in homes built or renovated by Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, which has served Baltimore and Anne Arundel County communities since 1982.

Source: Habitat for Humanity
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Baltimore Housing has received $5.8 million from Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).

As part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, Congress created NSP to assist communities in the revitalization of abandoned and foreclosed homes. The Baltimore Department of Housing and Community Development will operate the program through local nonprofit organizations that will use the NSP funds to acquire and rehabilitate the properties and will then either rent or sell the properties to low-income families.

"This support from the Federal government is what neighborhoods hit hardest by the foreclosure crisis need as a life line," says Mayor Sheila Dixon. "The country is not out of its financial crisis yet, and any aid from the federal government is truly appreciated."

Baltimore Housing received $1,675,000 from DHCD and $4,112,239 from HUD. The funds will be used to support vital affordable housing initiatives. Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake and St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center will purchase and rehabilitate approximately 50 single-family buildings that have been subject to foreclosure. Empire Homes and People Encouraging People will use the funds to develop approximately 50 rental units.

"These developers have proven to be great partners in our commitment to creating affordable housing for Baltimore residents," says Housing Commissioner Paul Graziano. "This is the help that our neighborhoods so desperately need to move from frustration to revitalization."

Source: Housing Authority of Baltimore
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that provides systems engineering, research and development, and information technology support to the government, has opened its new site near Ft. Meade. According to the company, the site in Annapolis Junction, MD, was opened to strengthen MITRE support to key Department of Defense (DoD) customers, several of which have relocated to Maryland from Fort Monmouth, N.J., as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) plan.

Two affordable rental housing projects in Anne Arundel and Howard Counties are the first in the state to benefit from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP). The Admiral Oaks Apartments project is the acquisition and rehabilitation of eighteen 3-story garden apartment buildings located on the west side of the city of Annapolis. The Sierra Woods project involves the acquisition and rehabilitation of 160 units located in Columbia.

"These projects are vital to our commitment to preserving and growing the number quality affordable housing units for Maryland's hardworking families. TCAP loans are important to helping us and our project partners do that," says Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Raymond A. Skinner. "In addition, HUD's support is beneficial in creating much needed construction jobs." The Admiral Oaks project is estimated to create 72 jobs while the Sierra Woods is expected to support the creation of 46 jobs.

Funded through American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), HUD's Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP) allows state housing finance agencies like DHCD to resume funding affordable rental housing projects while stimulating job creation in the hard-hit construction industry. TCAP provides grant funding for capital investment in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) projects through a formula-based allocation to DHCD.

The rehabilitated Admiral Oaks property, located on the 400 block of Captains Circle, will consist of 104 two-bedroom units, 43 three-bedroom units and 12 four-bedroom units. The property will also contain a new community room and updated management offices. Units will be available for families with incomes between 30 percent and 60 percent of the Area Median Income or between $24,650 and $49,250 for a four person household.

The project financing includes a permanent mortgage of $7.8 million and Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity of $10.7 million through Bank of America. The equity was raised from the sale of $1.4 million of LIHTCs awarded by DHCD to the project. DHCD also provided $1.16 million in Rental Housing Program and $737,000 in Tax Credit Assistance Program loan funds.

The developer/owner of the project is Community Housing and Preservation Corporation of Washington, DC. The property will be professionally managed by Edgewood Management Corporation. The general contractor is Hamel Builders Inc and the architect is Wiencek & Associates.

The Sierra Woods property was originally built in 1973 and consists of two non-contiguous parcels containing four garden-style apartment buildings and eight townhouse buildings on 11.5 acres. The project will be the preservation of a mix of units including 28 one-bedroom apartments, 75 two-bedroom apartments, 39 three-bedroom townhomes, 16 four-bedroom townhomes, one leasing office, and one maintenance supervisor's unit. The proposed rehabilitation will allow the property to remain competitive in the market while preserving 32 project-based Section 8 units. One hundred eleven units will be targeted to serve families with household incomes at or below 60 percent of Area Median Income (AMI) or $39,420 for a two-person household.

The project received financing from a number of sources. DHCD provided a first mortgage of $7,605,000 from the proceeds of tax exempt bonds, a Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP) loan in the amount of $900,000; and $408,196 in Low Income Housing Tax Credit that raised equity in the amount of $3,223,502. Other sources included a $50,000 Green grant from Enterprise Partners and a $250,000 Multifamily Energy Efficiency and Housing Affordability grant (MEEHA) funded by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA)

MEEHA provides grants for energy audits and the purchase and installation of equipment and materials for energy efficiency and renewable energy measures in affordable multifamily rental housing. The program is an ongoing partnership between the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Maryland Energy Administration and is part of Governor Martin O'Malley's emPOWER Maryland initiative, which aims to reduce the state's energy consumption by 15 percent by 2015.

The developer and owner of the Sierra Woods project is Enterprise Housing Corporation. The property will be professionally managed by Habitat America. The general contractor is Harkins Builders Inc.

Admiral Oaks and Sierra Woods are just some of the ARRA funded projects DHCD has undertaken that incorporate Smart, Green & Growing components. The rehabilitation of both projects will support local community revitalization efforts in areas served by public transportation and near employment centers. Energy efficiency improvements will include the installation of new Energy Star appliances and HVAC systems. Additional energy efficient building components include Energy Star replacement windows, site lighting and additional insulation to increase the energy efficiency of the units and reduce the projects' carbon footprints.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development works with partners to finance housing opportunities and revitalize great places for Maryland citizens to live, work and prosper. To learn more about DHCD programs, log on to www.mdhousing.org.

News updates also are available by following DHCD on Twitter and Facebook.

Source: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Indianapolis firm, Simon Property Group, Inc., has agreed to purchase the Baltimore-based Prime Outlets Acquisition Company and its Prime Outlet outle shopping malls for approximately $2.325 billion, including the assumption of Prime Outlets' existing indebtedness and preferred stock.

Under the terms of the agreement, Simon will pay equity consideration of approximately $0.7 billion for the owners' interests in Prime Outlets. The equity consideration to Prime Outlets' owners will generally be comprised of 80% in cash and 20% in SPG common operating partnership units, which will be based on a ten day trading average of SPG common stock shortly before closing, subject to a 10% collar.

Prime Outlets is a leading owner, manager, operator and developer of outlet centers in the U.S. The Prime Outlets portfolio includes 22 high quality outlet centers located in major metropolitan markets such as Washington D.C., Baltimore, MD and San Antonio, TX and popular tourist destinations such as Orlando, FL and Williamsburg, VA. As of June 30, 2009, Prime Outlets' centers were 92 percent occupied and generated annual sales per square foot of approximately $370.

Commenting on the transaction, David Simon, SPG Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, states "Prime Outlets is an excellent opportunity for Simon as it represents a strong strategic fit for our existing Premium Outlet portfolio and enhances our leadership position in the outlet business. Following the completion of this transaction our outlet portfolio will have 63 centers comprising approximately 25 million square feet."

Simon intends to fund the cash portion of the equity consideration using its existing sources of capital. Simon was advised in this transaction by UBS Investment Bank and JP Morgan and was represented by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP.

Source: Simon Property Group
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Merritt Construction Services, a division of Merritt Properties, has landed two new projects.

Mars Supermarkets has chosen Merritt Construction Services to handle construction on its new headquarters at 9627 Philadelphia Road in Rosedale. With a planned move-in date of January 15, 2010, the 30,000-square-foot Mars office building is on an extremely aggressive schedule. Merritt was selected for the project in mid-November and has begun converting the one-story flex space into offices, a training facility and meeting space.

Mars has 16 grocery stores in Maryland and nearly 1,700 employees. The company is currently headquartered at 3401 E. Federal Street in Baltimore.

The second project, for client Ridge Engineering, is a 15,000-square-foot addition to Ridge's headquarters at 3897 Hampstead Mexico Road in Hampstead. Ridge, which handles large-scale precision machining and sheet metal fabrication, is currently housed in a 67,500-square-foot facility.

Phase I, which is already underway, is a 13,000-square-foot manufacturing floor addition with a mezzanine. Phase II, which will connect the manufacturing floor to new office space and add a new two-story entrance, is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2010.


Source: Merritt Properties
Writer: Walaika Haskins

What's the one thing that's been missing from Ellicott City's Main Street? Well, if you ask Evan Brown, he says it was an affordable Italian restaurant.

"One thing we always thought was lacking in the area, especially on Main Street, was an Italian restaurant. You have French. You have American. You have a brewery. You have fusion. You have alll sorts of different things on this street, but nothing that would come anywhere close to Italian cuisine," he says.

Located at 8085 Main Street in Ellicott City, Portalli's will officially open on Dec. 11. The restaurant, which takes its name from Brown's mother's side of the family, serves up traditional Italian fare from all over Italy at affordable prices.

"We encourage courses...so we will have a salad, antipasta and our first course being a pasta dish. The second course being a protein of some sort, whether that be seafood or steak. But, everything is priced accordingly so that you can leave here and not feel like you've spent a ton of money on one dish. Our portions aren't overwhelming because we want people to come in and try the food," Brown explains.

Formerly, Jordan's Steakhouse, Brown and his co-owner Lee Biars, have made some changes to the restaurant to give it a more Mediterranean feel. "The walls were painted like a pumpkin orange, which was a semi-gloss, shiny color, and we tried to dial it down a bit."

So far, during the restuarant's soft launch, diners have given thumbs up to the Spaghetti and Meatballs and their Duck Confit Manicotti.

"We're doing some housemade pastas. As the evolution of the restaurant goes, we're going to try to do more," Brown notes.

Along with the food, wine is a major focus at Portalli's. According to Brown, the restaurant only stocks wines with some sort of link to Italy. And, for diners who are unsure of which wines make the best pairings, he and Biars are there to share their expertise.

Brown and Biars, also owners of Diamondback Tavern, believe that Ellicott City's Main Street is on the verge of becoming a destination for area foodies, and he says they want Portalli's to be apart of what draws people to there.

"Ellicott City has so much character to it. The people who have been here for years have done a great job, but it's not on the map as a dining destination. But as this whole town evolves I think that's what it's going to become. That's why we were really interested in the area," says Brown.

"This is a restaurant that's going to be based around the community. Whatever we get a really positive feedback on is going to become a staple of the restaurant. We want to make sure people come in here knowing exactly what they're going to get, understanding the quality and level of service we're going to offer. And then we'll go from there," he adds.

Source: Even Brown, Portalli's
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Opening small specialty stores during the holiday season has been going on at malls for years. This year, however, the phenomenon has taken a different form and hit Harbor East's Legg Mason tower. Dubbed pop-up stores, the short-lived boutiques are a trend out of New York City where restaurants and a variety of shops spring up in one location one week and then disappear, only to pop-up in another.
 
Dresscode by Gita, Patrick Sutton Home, Shine Collective, Doubledutch and Di[e]ce (pronounced "deece") will take up temporary residence in the lobby of the Legg Mason tower at 199 International Drive. Dresscode and Patrick Sutton opened Dec. 4 and will remain open until Christmas Eve. Di[e]ce will stay open until New Year's Eve. Shine Collective will also hold a Pop Up Party Kick-Off on Thurs. Dec. 10. from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Source: Patrick Sutton Home
Writer: Walaika Haskins

With a new heating system to keep its patrons toasty warm despite the cold weather, Woody's Rum Bar and Island Grill, a summertime favorite in Fells Point, is now open all year long.

According to Bill Irvin, owner, it was a simple matter of economics and a view that was wasted for several months out of the year. "The real reason we reopened was that we have that space up there and not utilizing it is obviously an opportunity that's passed on. We have what are probably the best views in Baltimore and probably the only rooftop view accessible to the public in Fells Point," he says.

Regularly booked with parties of 200 or more people for Woody's downstairs neighbor, Slainte's Irish Pub, that take up the entire two-floor restaurant, using the second and third floors would mean the first floor could remain open to the general public.

Open Thurs., Fri, Sat., and Sun., Irvin says they are still working out the kinks on the Tiki-esque cocktails and food menu comprised of small bites. Sat. and Sun. the restaurant will also serve brunch.

Located at 821 S. Broadway at Thames, Woody's will be available for parties and will be open New Year's Eve. "It's one of the best spots for fireworks, especially on New Year's. We're going to be open and trying to come up with ideas now. I think we're going to make it costumed-themed and a limited number of people, around 40, with an all-inclusive cocktails."

But, even without a special occasion, party or even much advertising, according to Irvin the word has spread about Woody's new hours and even though it was snowing on Saturday, the rooftop bar was "packed." The rooftop bar is open to Slainte's customers as well, who can just walk on up to there, Irvin says.

Source: Bill Irvin, co-owner
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Mayor Sheila Dixon has approved the recommendations of the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) of three projects hat will use the city's Recovery Zone Facility Bonds. BDC, on behalf of the City of Baltimore, will enter into 90-day Exclusive Negotiating Privileges with each of the development teams.

The first project is a hotel, Inn at Penn Station, that will transform the vacant, upper floors of Baltimore's historic Penn Station into a 77-room boutique hotel. The hotel will occupy second and third floors and the majority of the fourth floorm though Amtrak will continue to occupythe remainder of the fourth floor. The developer, Penn Station Hotel, LLC, is an entity comprised of Hospitality Partners, LLC, James M. Jost & Company, A&R Development, Inc. and Summit Associates, LLC.

The development group has requested $8.1 million of Facility Bond proceeds; total project costs are estimated to be $12,438,000.

BDC estimates the direct City benefits from this project to be 89 construction jobs, 27 permanent jobs, and over $8.9 million in total new taxes over a 20-year period. In addition to the quantitative benefits, the Inn at Penn Station project will leverage the other redevelopment efforts undertaken and investment made by the City and other public, non-profit and private partners in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District.

Marketplace at Fells Point will be a  a mixed-used project comprised of two buildings totaling 126,500 square feet, including 160 apartments, 28,500 square feet of ground level commercial/retail space and 118 structured parking spaces. The project is located in the east and west blocks of 600 South Broadway, two blocks north of the corner of Broadway at Thames Street.

The Marketplace at Fells Point developer is South Broadway Properties, LLC, a partnership comprised of David Holmes and Daniel Winner as managing members. South Broadway Properties, LLC is requesting $8 million of Facility Bond proceeds; total project costs are estimated to be $52,046,508.

BDC projects the direct City benefits from the Marketplace at Fells Point project to be 300 construction jobs, 285 permanent jobs, 100 new City residents and over $15 million in total new taxes over a 20-year period.

The final project is the Curtis Bay Energy/Mid-Atlantic Integrated Sustainable Service Center for Healthcare Systems. The project entails construction of a new commercial laundry facility with high efficiency washers, dryers, and processing equipment that will be powered100 percent  by steam created by the nearby Baltimore Regional Medical Waste Treatment Facility. The project is located at 3300-12 Hawkins Point Road in Curtis Bay. Curtis Bay Energy, Inc. is owned by Himmelrich Associates, Inc., (Samuel K. Himmelrich, Jr.), the project developer.

Himmelrich Associates owns and manages the Baltimore Regional Medical Waste Treatment Facility, an existing facility for safe and efficient destruction of regulated medical waste.

As a byproduct of the treatment facility's operations, 4.29 MWh of electrical power is produced, and is currently largely unused. The energy byproduct of the treatment facility can be captured and used to power the Laundry Project, providing a clean, renewable energy source.

Himmelrich Associates is requesting $14 million of Facility Bond proceeds; total project costs are estimated to be $29,286,272.

Direct City benefits from the Laundry Project have been estimated by BDC as 95 construction jobs, 150 permanent jobs, and more than $12.9 million in total new taxes over a 20-year period.

Recovery Zone Facility Bonds are a new category of tax exempt private activity bonds authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The ARRA allocates $30.8 million in facility bonds within the City of Baltimore Recovery Zone that was created by an Ordinance of the City Council in July 2009.

"That BDC received so many proposals is a healthy sign that development activity is beginning to pick up in Baltimore," says Mayor Dixon. "We are particularly pleased with the diversity of the three projects selected and their potential to stimulate neighborhood and economic development efforts."

"We were pleased with the array of projects submitted," says BDC President M. J. "Jay" Brodie. "The Recovery Zone Facility Bonds will stimulate our economic development efforts and will help create three projects generating jobs and taxes for the City."

The BDC'sAdvisory Panel (consisting of representatives from the Baltimore Economic Recovery Team � BERT, the Baltimore City Departments of Finance and Housing and Community Development, and BDC, with McGuireWoods LLP and Municap Inc. serving as consultants for legal and financial advice). reviewed the 19 proposals, narrowing them down the three recommendations.

Source: Baltimore Development Corporation
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Sinai Hospital broke ground last week on its new Children's Hospital wing. The new wing and associated upgrades and changes that will enhance the quality and efficiency of care, including all private rooms and family sleeping areas.

These additions support the very heart of a family centered care program where the family is recognized as the constant in a child's life. For this reason, family centered care is built on partnerships between families and health professionals during and after a child is treated for a diagnosed illness. Most importantly, family centered care improves and enhances clinical outcomes for children with special needs and provides more support for their families as they deal with the challenges and joys of raising a chronically ill child.

The facility will bring the number of inpatient medical and post-surgical single occupant pediatric patient rooms to a total of 26, including an isolation unit for oncology/high risk patients, with nurse stations and support areas as well as an in-room capacity to accommodate parents/family members. 

The hospital's Children's Diagnostic Center will gain three pre-operative beds, two procedure rooms with sedation/anesthesia capacity, and three recovery/post-anesthesia bays, including one isolation bay, with nurse station, support areas, and family waiting areas. And the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit will add six PICU beds, including 2 private single occupant isolation rooms for high risk patients and four semi-private rooms, with nurse station and support areas. In addition, the Pediatri Hematology and Oncology Unit will gain a total of six exam room rooms and six infusion bays, with nurse station, support areas and a family waiting area.

The new wing was made possible with a lead gift of $4 million in 2007,  and Sinai has raised a total of over $17 million, including $5 million from the State of Maryland, to date.  The following changes and upgrades are planned:

Source: Sinai Hospital
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Mayor Sheila Dixon, Col. David E. Anderson, Commander and District Engineer from the Unites States Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District and David Scott, Director of the Department of Public Works (DPW) held a dedication ceremony for the $1.6 million restoration of approximately one-half mile of Maidens Choice Run. The Run is a tributary in the Gwynns Falls watershed.

"This restoration of Maidens Choice has created a more stable and clean environment for not only this community, but everyone who enjoys the Gwynns Falls watershed," says Mayor Dixon. "I want to give special thanks to our entire Congressional Delegation for their commitment to the people and environment of Baltimore."

The project site is located near Beechfield Elementary and Middle School. The upstream drainage area is 2.9 square miles and the length of stream restoration is 2,700 feet. The project included wetland restoration and the planting of 140 trees and thousands of plants native to the Baltimore region. A portion of storm drain was removed to recreate and stabilize the natural stream.

In 1992, the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) requested that the City of Baltimore participate in the Baltimore Metropolitan Water Resources Gwynns Falls Watershed Study. A Draft Feasibility Report and Integrated Environmental Assessment presented recommendations for the ACOE to implement aquatic ecosystem restoration projects in the Gwynns Falls watershed in Baltimore City.

A detailed study focusing on Dead Run and Maidens Choice Run determined that two were the most environmentally degraded sub-watersheds of the Gwynns Falls. A major finding of the investigation was that degradation of the aquatic habitat in Dead Run and Maidens Choice Run was directly related to the highly deteriorated condition of the sewer system infrastructure and uncontrolled stormwater runoff.

A watershed-based ecosystem approach was utilized to identify and select ecosystem restoration projects in the Gwynns Falls watershed. The plan focused on evaluating a combination of measures that could prevent or reduce the exchange of flow between the stream system/groundwater and sewer system; control stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces into the aquatic ecosystem; restore wetlands habitat; and restore instream habitat.

Source: Department of Public Works
Writer: Walaika Haskins