development : Development News

Vistors to Baltimore's American Visionary Arts Museum (AVAM) and area residents will be glad to note that a new restaurant has opened in the museum's cafe space, formerly occupied by Joy America. Mr. Rain's Fun House is a highly unique cafe offering guests a dining experience worthy of its place in the AVAM in a sophisticated yet playful setting for both museum patrons and restaurant clientele.

The Fun House menu is the playground of Chef Bill Buszinski who's recipes take traditional American comfort foods and reimagine them to create renditions of these bits of classic "Americana" as they would be if influenced by immigrating cultures and the farm to table philosophy. The moderately priced menu ranges from $10 to $12 for appetizers and $18 to $28 for entrees.

The Fun House also features a carefully assembled wine list that includes international selections with particular emphasis on vintages from small batch producers and family run estates. Cocktails also recieve the Fun House treatment  with both traditional and modern compositions of classic potables, from pre-prohibition flips and slings to contemporary recipes.

During their visit guests will be able to continue their visionary arts tour, taking in exhibiting works from the museum's collection, including a hand crafted mirrored "chandelier" generously donated by artist Bob Benson.

Mr. Rain's Fun House offers seating for up to 70 diners and will be open 6 days a week, Tuesday through Sunday. The restaurant serves lunch, brunch and dinner. All major credit cards are accepted and reservations for dinner are recommended.

Mr. Rain's Fun House is a collaborative venture between Chef Bill Buszinski and Maria Buszinski, former proprietors of The Sputnik Caf� in Crownsville, Maryland and Perez Klebahn, former beverage director of Centovini and I Trulli restaurants in Manhattan.

Source: Perez Klebahn
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Baltimore architects, Michael Murphy and Matthew Compton, were the 2009 recipients of the American Institute of Architects Baltimore chapter's Grand Award. The two, with Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects, won the award for their $1 million renovation of the city-owned Roosevelt Park Pool House, beating out 73 other entrants for the chapter's top prize.

"This spirited renovation works well with the existing building to transform the heaviness of the fortress-like old structure into a pavilion sensibility that reflects the pool's edge light while it provides shaded respite from the water. It takes risk in what it does. In an innovative way, it is contextual through contrast. The project integrates the pool fencing regulation into the design of the new canopy. This renovation creates structural integrity and a welcoming generosity of spirit. The new structure nestles over and protects the existing building in a grandfatherly way. The spirit of this addition makes you want to enter and inhabit this place," says the AIA.

Source: American Institute of Architects
Writer: Walaika Haskins

When a friend offered Andrea Rani, the opportunity to open a restaurant in Fells Point the experienced restauranteur decided to open what she calls, "a pan-Asian tapas."

"I fell in love with Fells Point right away. The historic setting, cobblestones, brick walkways and the water. Then as I got to know the people in the neighborhood, they're really, really strong, and everyone knows each other. They're so helpful and friendly. It is nice. It's like being back home,' Rani continues.

"This is my fourth and hopefully my last [restaurant]. I have Thai food, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean...I have some sushi," she says. "I make a killer pot pie."

In addition to its small plates, Sam's Kid also offers larger plates including curry, an Asian-style chicken crepe, and all of the dishes include a vegetarian option.

Though the restaurant, currently in the soft opening phase is operating with a limited menu, Andrea says she hopes to eventually expand the menu and even offer diners an Asian breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.

Located at 811 S. Broadway, Sam's Kid takes it's name from Andrea's father Sam. "He passed away in '92. I learned cooking from him. I learned how to love from cooking from him. Although later on I went to cooking school and all that my first love of cooking I learned from him," says the Indonesian native.

Currently, the restaurant has just 12 tables, but as they get closer to the official grand opening in mid-November, Andrea says she will take full advantage of the building two floors with a minimum of 35 tables with seating on both floors.

"I'd like to do a lot of delivery to the offices in the area and catering. We are really good at that. We do take-out right now and have a delivery menu for lunch and dinner," she adds.

Source: Andrea Rani
Writer: Walaika Haskins

With one shoe boutique under her belt in Fells Point, Kelley Krohn Heuisler is ready to take her shoes down the road to Annapolis. The new location opens in mid-November in the Annapolis Towncenter at Parole.

"I think I have a successful business model that will work for women in Annapolis," Heuisler says.

Centered around the philosophy of providing quality, stylish shoes at multiple price points, the Fells Point store is a popular destination for shoe lovers whether they can spend $50 or $300. Heuisler says she selects her merchandise based on quality rather than brand names and would rather deal with smaller shoe manufacturers whose focus is on quality rather than quantity. The boutique also sells accessories at multiple price points including earrings, headbands and handbags.

Like the Baltimore store, the new location will include a variety of styles selected to appeal to Annapolis women. While shoppers may not be treated to some of the more fanciful styles available in Baltimore, they will still find classic and stylish shoes and accessorie at multiple price points.

Source: Kelley Krohn Heuisler, owner
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Located at 1400 Light Street, the Rowhouse Grille hopes it can attract Federal HIll residents and visitors to leave the beaten path around Cross Street Market and head further south for a unique dining experience.

"We like the location its far enough away from Cross Street but close enough that it's not like a destination. So we're just going for it," says  co-owner Patrick Dahlgreen

So far their hopes have been fulfilled. Although the restuarant has not begun serving food, business according to has been brisk since they opened last Thursday with naught but a liquor license and newly purchased booze.

"We had a very good turnout all weekend. So, we're very happy," he says.

The restaurant takes its name from its a location -- a Baltimore rowhouse -- and stretches the length of the building. The first floor includes a bar, HDTV and seating for 55 people with dining for around 32 people. The second floor will eventually feature a lounge bar with female servers dressed in black.

"Downstairs is more bar casual with hardwood everywhere a little upscale. Upstairs we have 24-foot ceilings and gas fireplace with a granite bar. It looks like a house but its an upscale bar. People can dress up for the lounge or go casual downstairs. We want to offer both choices," Dahlgren says.

The restaurants menus are seasonal and rotating featuring what Chef Damon Krauskauscus calls "fun bar food." "We'll have a small bar menu with wings with different sauces or you can get a burger and that will be on the four to seven item bar food menu. Our full menu is an eclectic version of a seasonal menu," Dahlgren says.

Once the restaurant completes its soft lauch phase, he says, there will be seating for about 100 diners.

Source: Patrick Dahlgren, co-owner
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Baltimore's Historic Charles Street was named a National Scenic Byway by the Federal Highway Administration's Administrator, Victor M. Mendez at a designation event held recently at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC. As a National Scenic Byway, this significant honor helps promote Charles Street as Baltimore's Main Street nationally and internationally to tourists, increase local pride, and leverage funds for preservation and development along the corridor.

"Charles Street is our main street and historic cultural corridor that draws people into Baltimore to live, work, learn, worship, and play by the water's edge," says Mayor Sheila Dixon. "A trek along Charles Street is an all-inclusive way to experience the heart of Baltimore. Linking the Inner Harbor and its attractions to many of Baltimore City's and Baltimore County's outstanding and world-renowned destinations, the Byway travels through an eclectic mix of urban and suburban neighborhoods full of great places to sightsee, shop, and dine."

Nominated in 2006, Charles Street now joins other Maryland Byway designations including the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, Religious Freedom Byway, and the Journey through Hallowed Ground: National Scenic Byway.

The county section of Charles Street is the main northern gateway in which international and national travelers will explore the Byway. The State is emphasizing this gateway with special treatments to the new bridge over I-695, with architectural details that mimic many of the historic buildings such as the Walters and Baltimore Museum of Art to create a grand entrance to Charles Street.

"We are delighted that the national spotlight is shining on the Charles Street corridor - one of our region's richest cultural and historical treasures," County Executive Jim Smith. "We look forward to collaborating with our partners in Baltimore City to preserve and promote this beautiful metropolitan thoroughfare says.

In Baltimore City, visitors travel through the epicenter of the region's cultural stomping grounds as they journey along the Byway through Station North Arts District and beyond to bohemian neighborhoods. Charles Street consists of a virtually unbroken series of local and National Register Historic Districts.

The byway also offers marvelous examples of old and new architecture like the Beaux-Arts B&O Railroad building, the Art Deco Bank of America Tower, and the metal and glass of One Charles Center in the city's historic financial district designed by Mies van der Rohe, a pioneer of modern architecture.

Beyond the city limits, the natural beauty of Charles Street is evident in the County where visitors are treated to a wooded parkway. A sidetrack leads to the historic homes in picturesque Lutherville.

Additionally, Charles Street is lined with historic religious structures; a testament to America' founding principles of religious freedom. The nations' first Roman Catholic cathedral, the Basilica of the Assumption, designed by Benjamin Latrobe, is one of the finest examples of neo-classical architecture in the world. Other Catholic institutions include the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen built in 1959, and the College of Notre Dame, the nation's first Catholic College for women. Also along Charles Street is the Quakers Friends School, the oldest school in Baltimore, and the Mother Church of American Methodism, Lovely Lane Methodist Church, designed by Stanford White.

The National Scenic Byways Program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The Program is a grass-roots collaborative effort established to help recognize, preserve and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. Since 1992, the National Scenic Byways Program has funded 2,672 projects for state and nationally designated byway routes in 50 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

Source: Mayor Sheila Dixon, Baltimore City
Writer: Walaika Haskins

St. John Properties, Inc. has begun work on property, a 60,000 square foot office building, as well as an adjacent ten-acre parcel of land at The Government and Technology Enterprise (GATE) project, a 413-acre business community positioned within the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) in Harford County.

Earlier this summer, the Baltimore-based real estate company was awarded exclusive development rights to The GATE project, which can support up to two million square feet of Class "A" single and multi-story space, as well as research and development/flex space. Both assets were formerly owned by Opus East LLC, the division of Opus Corporation which filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in July 2009.

The single-story, research and development building located at 6240 Guardian Gateway was completed last June and is 100 percent leased to CACI International, Inc., a Northern Virginia-headquartered company that provides national security, defense, and intelligence-related solutions in the national interest of the United States. CACI, in turn, is subleasing 45,000 square feet of space in the building to the U.S. Army Joint Satellite Command. The building has a direct hardwire connection to the secure IT network of APG.

The ten-acre adjacent development parcel, which is rough graded and includes underground utilities, can support a three-story 75,000 square foot office building. St. John Properties plans on starting construction in the near future on this parcel which features prominent visibility along Maryland Boulevard, the main entrance into APG providing 24/7 access for federal employees, contractors and visitors. The Maryland Boulevard entrance into APG recently underwent a $23 million upgrade to improve access into the installation.

"Both assets are the perfect complement to our planned commercial and retail real estate program at The GATE, as we envision significant development activity in both the short and near-term in this region," says Jerry Wit, Senior Vice President�Marketing for St. John Properties. "The CACI building provides us with a fully-leased, operating project with a highly-recognized and credit-worthy company, while the adjacent land holding offers us immediate development opportunities to react to growing office space demand."

Maryland Boulevard is also the main entrance to the new 2.4 million square foot U.S. Army Command, Control, Computer, Communication, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) operations, that is expected to be delivered in third quarter 2010. It is anticipated that as many as 10,000 workers will relocate to APG by 2011 from existing facilities in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey and elsewhere. The relocation of C4ISR to Harford County is generally recognized as the primary driver that will stimulate BRAC-related commercial real estate activities over the next twenty years.

"After hearing for the past several years about the expected BRAC effect on the Maryland economic climate, we can now see tangible activities that support those forecasts. Every indication suggests that Aberdeen Proving Ground will be the home of government contractors imbedded with various military commands and assignments. St. John Properties intends to play a major role by supplying essential real estate product and services," Jerry Wit continues.

St. John Properties has initiated grading operations on a portion of the property in anticipation of constructing up to five research and development and office buildings totaling between 150,000 and 200,000 square feet of space. These initial projects are designed to satisfy the backlog of commercial real estate space that presently exists at the GATE project. Over the predicted twenty-year build-out phase that St. John Properties expects to develop product at the business community, the company will invest a considerable amount of money for grading and the installation of necessary infrastructure improvements.

Source: Jerry Wit
Writer: Walaika Haskins

For gospel trio Immeasurable, Ronnie Brooks, Yanna Foster and Victoria Coleman, opening Immeasurable Chicken and Waffle at 1700 W. Pratt Street in West Baltimore is about more than just serving up crispy chicken and tender waffles.

"We wanted to be able to create a restaurant that was in a community where we thought people needed help. We're not just here to make money. We're here to give back in the inner city. There are a lot kids who come in here, they ask us for advice. It isn't just about chicken and waffles, but we do love them. It's really about trying to create something where Immeasurable could benefit and also create something where we can give back to our black community," says Victoria Coleman.

"We wanted to create a positive, non-alcoholic place as well," adds Yanna Foster.
 
To achieve that goal, the second floor of the restaurant has been turned into a gathering place for area teens who participate in Immeasurable's Christian Club.

"We have different activities that go on there throughout the week, like open mic, line dancing, karaoke and comedy. We have things like that just to draw in the community and get some of these kids of the street and give them something else to do at night besides hanging out on the corner, getting in trouble and stuff like that," says Ronnie Brooks.

Open for just three weeks, Immeasurable Chicken and waffles naturally specializes in fried chicken and waffles. Their best-selling dish so far is the Immeasurable Chicken Supreme, a plain waffle topped with a sliced chicken breast and gravy . The chicken comes fried, barbecued or Jamaican jerked. There's also corn, greens, beans, sweet potatoes, potato salad, mac and cheese, and macaroni salad for sides. The restuarant also serves several sandwiches and subs. Dessert is also done with a down home flare, featuring chocolate, lemon and pound cake.

"In this area, we also have what I would say is the largest crab cake that's 99 percent crab and just 1 percent of the stuff that holds it together. It's the size of a baseball. It's so huge," says Coleman, adding that the menu also includes Chicken Alfredo and Shrimp Alfredo.

Source: Immeasurable
Writer: Walaika Haskins

A new Mexican restaurant and lounge recently opened in Columbia, MD. Azul 17, located at 9400 Snowden River Parkway Suite 127, is the brainchild of owners Julio and Lily Soto do, longtime Columbia residents.

The decor features sleek whites and bright blues, with a bar that changes colors providing a sophisticated backdrop for Azul 17's specialty - upscale drinks. The lounge's drink menu features 17 signature margaritas and 17 specialty cocktails as well as a wide variety of bottled beers.

Azul doesn't stint on quality with each of the speciality cocktail including mojitos and caipirinhas made using fresh juices and nectars, and of course top-shelf booze. The alcoholic libations come with an upscale price from $9 to $13. 

Stop in for dinner and stay for dancing on the weekends. At 10 p.m. Azul 17 turns into a lounge complete with DJs spinning Latin and house tunes for dancers interested in taking to the hot spots dance floor.

If you live in Fells Point or the surrounding area and have wished that there was a bike shop nearby, you'l be happy to hear that Joe's Bike Shop, located in Mt. Washington,  has expanded opening a new location at 723-B South Broadway.

Ask Joe Traill why a bike shop and it seems it was always his destiny.

"I fell in love with bikes at a young age. I enjoyed riding them. Then I started working in a bike shop to feed the habit and then years after that moved onto owning a shop," he says.

Though the Mt. Vernon shop has been open since 1972, Traill says he has only owned it for the past 10 years. He chose Fells Point for his new location because its "a neat neighborhood and an exciting example of how people imagine city life. You could live down here without ever having to leave. You've got great restaurants. You've got great entertainment. You've got great living. You've got everything you would need and we felt that we wanted to be a part of that," Traill explains.

Joe's Bike Shop offers a range of bikes for novice to expert riders at reasonable prices. While the shop doesn't currently offer rentals, Traill says that's in the works for next spring.

Source: Joe Traill, Joe's Bike Shop
Writer: Walaika Haskins

There's a new place to stay in Hunt Valley. The Residence Inn at Hunt Valley is the sixth building at Schilling Road Corporate Campus. The building at 55 Schilling Road incorporates many green elements to further promote a healthy work environment and sustainable business practices.

"Companies at the Schilling Road Corporate Campus benefit from a vibrant business community, light rail service at their front door, and amenities including a new extended stay Residence Inn across the street and Hunt Valley Towne Centre," says Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith.

The 500,000 square foot corporate campus in Hunt Valley was developed by MacKenzie Companies. Major tenants include Black and Decker, Horich, Parks & Lebow Advertising, Bill Me Later, Inc., The Travelers Indemnity Company, Amtote International, FX Studios, The Forbush School, and L.H. Cranston.

Source: Jim Smith, Baltimore County
Writer: Walaika Haskins

For France Aubrey, turing the the first floor of her northeast Baltimore home into a showplace for glass artists just made sense. So, this Friday will mark the grand opening of Portable Rainbow Art Glass Gallery and Studio.

"When I bought the house in 2003, I put nine recessed lights in one of the first rooms thinking I might want to have a gallery later. Finally, I just got to the point where I felt like it was time. I know other glass artists, I love glass and I want to get the word out. Baltimore has nothing like this," she says.

While there are two galleries featuring excellent works done using blown glass, according to Aubrey there wasn't a place for artists working with glass in other ways to display their masterpieces.

"There was nothing for other techniques. I work in kiln-formed glass. I'm showing stained glass window panels and painted glass, which is not simply painted but is done using special paints that are then fired and the paint becomes part of the glass. There are many techniques that people just don't know about. They know about blown glass because of J.L. Chihuly, but there are these other techniques that people are working in that are just as exciting," Aubrey says.

Located at 6500 Brook Avenue, the gallery is also environmentally-friendly with all of its electricity a result of wind power that Aubrey purchased through a local renewable energy brokerage. In addition, the glass Aubrey uses in her pieces are from an environmentally conscious Oregon source.

"One room is just artwork and the other two rooms will have displays of glass as well," she continues. The gallery will be open this weekend, Friday 4p.m. to 9p.m., Saturday 10a.m. to 8p.m., and Sunday 10a.m. to 6p.m. as part of School 33's Open Studio Tour.

Source: Frances Aubrey, Portable Rainbow Art Glass Gallery and Studio
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Sitting on the border of Harbor East and Little Italy at 1002 Eastern Avenue, Milan is a new upscale restaurant scheduled to open in mid-November just before Thanksgiving.

According to Peter Mooridan, general manager, Milan "will be different than your typical Little Italy restaurant. Little Italy is very tradtional and a lot of these places have been around for many years. It will be more modern and cutting edge."

The restaurant will include dining on three different levels, with an outdoor heated patio on the lower level; a sushi bar and lounge on the main floor and private dining on the third level. The decor will have a loungy comfortable feel.

"I envision big martinis and really nice cocktails with a lot of fresh ingredients like fresh mint, cucumbers, mangoes and mojitoes, lychees and just really tasty drinks,"

Mooridan calls the cuisine Italian/Mediterranean but says it will be a lighter and more modern take than that found in traditional Italian restaurants and will continue the fresh ingredient theme. "We're offering a lot of fresh ingredients. A lot of people use dense sauces to create flavor and we have a cleaner way to eat and enjoy the natural flavor of the food."


Source: Peter Mooridan, Milan
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Former Highlandtown Library Site at 3323 Eastern Avenue in East Baltimore, behalf of the City of Baltimore.

The site, at the southwest corner of the Eastern Avenue/Highland Avenue intersection, is located in the Highlandtown Main Street District and is part of the Highlandtown Urban Renewal Area in close proximity to Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Bayview Medical Center, I-95 & 895 and Patterson Park.

The neighborhood includes businesses and attractions including the new Southeast Enoch Pratt Free Library and The Creative Alliance at the Patterson Theater. Recent and current redevelopment projects in the area encompass the Baltimore Medical Systems, Inc. headquarters and parking garage, the Southeast Anchor Library and the Patterson Theatre's conversion into the Creative Alliance.

The building, which was constructed in 1920 with 7,224 enclosed square feet on three levels with a 3,450 square foot footprint, is zoned B-2-2.

The goals of the City in offering the Former Highlandtown Library Site include, but are not limited to the following: A) The redevelopment of the site in a manner that integrates the project into the surrounding neighborhood and business district B) A project that positively impacts the City, including: quality jobs, increased tax revenues, community stabilization, opportunities for minority business enterprises (MBE) and women business enterprises (WBE), and contributes to the City's long-term economic growth objectives and C) A high quality architectural and streetscape design that must conform to the conditions and stipulations outlined in the Design and Rehabilitation Standards found in the Highlandtown Urban Renewal Plan. The site is offered in "as-is" condition.

BDC will hold a pre-proposal conference on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at its offices (36 South Charles Street, Suite 1600). Notification of attendance is required.

To obtain further information regarding this offering, contact Nick Rudolph, BDC Business District Specialist, Baltimore Main Streets Program, at 410-837-9305.

Closing date for receipt of proposals is 12 noon on Monday, January 4, 2010, accompanied by a $300 non-refundable fee. The RFP can be downloaded from BDC's website at www.baltimoredevelopment.com.

Source: Baltimore Development Corporation
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Baltimore County has been awarded a $4 million grant from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation received the funding for the Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Program to create lead-safe, healthy, energy-efficient homes in Baltimore County.

"For decades, childhood lead poisoning has tragically impacted the lives of children and communities in Baltimore County. he Office of Community Conservation will use these funds to pursue its goal of ending childhood lead poisoning in the County. I'm pleased to announce that Baltimore County was the sole jurisdiction in the State of Maryland to receive this grant. I also want to thank Senator Barbara Mikulski for her support with this important funding," says Smith.

The Lead Hazard Reduction Program will provide lead inspections/risk assessment of 350 homesin targeted area communities in Baltimore County for lead-based paint and healthy homes hazards; perform lead hazard control (including window replacements) in 300 homes; conduct 150 outreach and education events to reach at least 16,500 citizens; and provide lead worker certification and Green and Healthy Homes training to 30 individuals. Effectively immediately, the demonstration program will run for three years.

"Lead poisoning from old paint is a parent's worst nightmare. It's practically invisible in your home, but its effects can be devastating. I'm so proud this grant will be used to create lead-safe, healthy homes in Baltimore County," Senator Mikulski says. "This funding will help protect kids from lead exposure and make a real difference for Baltimore County's families."

Baltimore County is partnering with other Baltimore County departments, including the Department of Health, the Department of Permits and Inspections and the Department of Social Services, as well as the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning.

"This strong network of partners will be invaluable in identifying older, lower income properties where children reside and pose the most danger to our community," says Baltimore County Chair Joseph Bartenfelder.

Source: Jim Smith, Baltimore County
Writer: Walaika Haskins