Development News

St. Joseph Medical Center has broken ground for the Hackerman-Patz House, a guest house that will offer patients and their families from outside of the region a sanctuary in a temporary home. The two-story guest house will have 10 furnished suites, a fully equipped kitchen, great room, private study and also have Internet access.

The project is expected to be completed by the middle of September 2010. Named for its principal donors, Willard and Lillian Patz Hackerman, it is the third such guest house built in the Baltimore are thanks to a donation from Willard Hackerman, president of Whiting-Turner Contracting Co.

Source: St. Joseph's Hospital
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Are you a business owner opening a new restaurant, hair salon, boutique, book store or other retail location? Have you seen a new business about to open or that just opened in your neighborhood?

If you answered yes to either of these questions drop us line and send Bmore Media your good news or tip.

Already the recipient of a boat load of awards, Turner Development Group, added another honor to its full to bursting trophy case. Last Thursday at a ceremony held in San Diego, the Baltimore-based developer recieved the top regional prize for Best High Rise Development in the Americas.

Presented by CNBC and the New York Times, the award is part of the  International Property Awards program. To take first place, Silo Point was judged against other high rise developments in Canada, Mexico, Central, and South America.

Source: International Property Awards
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Center for Urban Families (CFUF), a nonprofit organization that helps low- to moderate-income individuals and families enhance their skills and become self sufficient, cut the ribbon and opened the doors on its spanking new headquarters located at 2201 N. Monroe Street.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg building is larger and will enable CFUF to provide expanded services for its clients and former clients.
CFUF provides families with a selection of services to help them build skills and confidence to find the personal power to change. The organization's primary programs are Family Services, Workforce Development and Responsible Fatherhood. The new 31,953 square feet of commercial office and training facility will meet the needs of a significantly increasing number of individuals and families benefiting from CFUF's services.

"The purpose of constructing the new building was to allow us to increase our capacity. Over the last 3 to 4 years we've gotten the opportunity to add additional programming but we didn't have the space to house these services. We originally decided to look for a place to relocate and weren't considering building a new facility from scratch," says Joseph Jones, Jr., founder, president and CEO of the Center for Urban Families.

"But, this new facility gives us the opportunity, not only to expand services but to look at the types of partners we want to have to engage the folks most disconnected from the labor force and acquire the hard skills necessary to be more marketable and move up the wage scale," he continues

The new building will house the CFUF's family housing service as well as the organization's expanding list of programs to support its alumni.

PNC Bank contributed more than $5.5 million in financing to construct the new headquarters building in West Baltimore on the site of the old Baltimore Coliseum. PNC's investment consisted of a $4.2 million loan and $1.32 million in equity provided through the New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) program. NMTC attract private capital investments to assist in financing economic development initiatives in low-income communities. This project is one of PNC's significant investments since the company acquired Mercantile Bankshares Corporation in March 2007.

"We are extremely grateful for PNC's investment," says Jones. "With this financial support, we are embarking on a pivotal period of growth and expanding our ability to connect low-income Baltimoreans to their families and the workplace."

The construction of this facility is expected to bring additional investment to this area of Baltimore that has benefited from redevelopment activities by the New Shiloh Baptist Church and improvements to the Mondawmin Mall.

"It is incredibly gratifying to be involved with a project that is so meaningful to the community," said Steve Palmer, PNC business banking relationship manager. "Thanks to a dedicated team of professionals, we have created a financing solution that will benefit the Center for Urban Families and demonstrate PNC's commitment to strengthen families and communities in Baltimore City."

Source: Joseph Jones, Jr., Center for Urban Families
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Children grow so quickly it leaves many parents facing a double dilemma -- how much to spend on their children's clothes and what to do with the clothes they've out grown. Well, two area moms, Portia Romond and Pintet Halasan, think they've found a solution with a new shop in Fells Point, Jack and Immy Children's Consignment.

"We're both moms with young families and we live in the neighborhood and wanted to start our own business. [Pintet] actually came up with the idea of chidren's consignment because its a business we were able to get up off the ground without taking out loans and having a huge financial burden. Also, we thought it was a good time right now with the economy being what it is and its an environmentally-friendly way to shop," explains Romond

The shop takes in brand name clothes from high-end chidren's gear for infants through size 12 from Ralph Lauren, Baby Phat, Nordstrom, Janey and Jack to Osh Kosh, The Gap and Old Navy, and offers a 50/50 deal. Once the clothing has sold, clients can either accept payment for their items via check or store credit.

"We're trying to be pretty high end and high quality. Not super high-end, but name brands and high quality and make sure there's nothing stained or has holes or anything like that. Most consignment shops only offer a 60/40 deal," Romond says.

Because they live in the neighborhood and know how much area moms want to spend, the pair are trying to keep their pricing very moderate. "It's a balance because you want to let the consigners make a little money as well."

The store, located at 2108 Fleet Street, is named after the women's two youngest children, Jack and Imogen and officially opened for business on Nov. 7. It has the feel of a boutique that will appeal to shoppers as well as a play area for children where they can color, read a book and play while their mother or father shops.

Jack and Immy's is open Tues. through Sat., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 410-732-0195.

Become a fan of  Jack and Immy on Facebook.

Source: Portia Romond, Jack and Immy Children's Consignment
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Two new businesses opened their doors Monday on Water Street in Downtown Baltimore. The aptly named Water Street Tavern and the Crepe Seller, located at 102 and 104 Water Street are the latest ventures from a local family that has owned several eateries in the Baltimore-Washington area.

"We've been in the restaurant business, combined with our family for over 50 years. It's a Mom and Pop and Son," says Vince Arosemena, owner.

While some may wonder why the Arosemenas opted to start a not one but two businesses given the current state of the economy, according to Arosemena "this is a great time to open something new."

"There's less competition, obviously and its more advantageous to get a good lease. The tavern business is what my family has always done and the with the Crepe Seller, we were looking for a new concept," he continues.

His parents found what they were looking for during a trip to a convention in Florida. While attending the event, the couple saw a food vendor with a huge line. "[My fahter] told my stepmother to 'go get me whatever they have, it must be good.' So, they fell in love with it and over the 3 days they were there, that's all they ate, three meals a day," says Arosemena.

The Crepe Seller, located on the bottom level at 104 Water Street is take-out only and offers a wide variety of savory and sweet crepes, including So Cal Chicken Crepe, with marinated chicken breast, roasted peppers, Gruyere cheese, pesto sauce, lettuce and tomato; a veggie crepe with artichoke hearts and hearts of palm, sauteed portobello mushrooms, roasted red peppers, alfalfa sprouts, baby leaf spinach, tomatos and smoked Gouda. There's a Chicken Cordon Bleu crepe as well as more standard wraps such as a Fajita Steak and Raspberry Chicken.

Dessert crepes take a more traditional tack filled with a variety of ingredients, including fresh fruit, Nutella, cinnamon, sugar. The Crepe Seller is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., however the kitchen remains open, serving diners at the Water Street Tavern.

The Tavern features a beautiful wooden bar and dining tables and offers a menu that includes crepes, panini and New York deli-style sandwiches.

Arosemana says the Tavern will have a third floor dining room that will open in a few weeks. That area will be available for private parties.

The family chose Water Street for their new businesses because they remember when the tiny little area was a central draw for people who came to Downtown.

"I'm from Bowie and I remember back into even the mid-90s this little area on Water Street was one of the premier places in the city to come. Itwas extremely well-known. My older sister would bring me to Water Street. And though it was little it was the place to be. Over the years, with Power Plant Live and other things that opened up in the city, things slowed down. We're sincerely trying to bring it back," he says.

Arosemana hopes to resurrect the Water Street block party next summer with neighbor Vellegio's Italian Restaurant.

"We're going to bring back that block party atmosphere," he says.

Source: Vince Arosemana, owner
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Housing Authority of Baltimore City's (HABC) has received $66 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. Included in the funds are $32.7 million awarded for capital improvements and an additional $33.4 million in grants under ARRA's highly competitive Capital Fund Recovery Competition (CFRC). The monies have been allocated use by public housing authorities across the country to redevelop distressed public housing and eliminate blight. HABC will use the stimulus funds to renovate some 240 dilapidated scattered sites and 30 conventional public housing units located around Baltimore.

"We are excited that the Obama Administration recognized Baltimore's need with these economic recovery dollars to renovate existing public housing stock," said Mayor Sheila Dixon. "Through these restoration efforts, we will be able to offer more affordable, quality housing to our residents in need."

The funds also will enable HABC to make a few environmentally friendly improvements energy consumption measures in these sites and in the public housing developments. The agency will be able to replace inefficient lighting with compact fluorescent lighting, replace existing flapper style toilets with low flow models and install flow limiting fixtures and devices in bathrooms and kitchens. The project also entails installing tenant metering to measure resident energy consumption as well as improving the local controls for heating within the individual units

Combined with investments for the Department of Housing & Community Development (HCD), the proposed renovations will serve to reinvigorate neighborhoods that have been neglected for many years and are anticipated to attract significant private interest. The ongoing investment is expected to create a vibrant mixed-income neighborhood that will provide households of all income levels, but particularly those of low and moderate income the chance to build wealth through improved employment, education and homeownership opportunities.

The scattered site units selected are long-term vacant units that will be fully renovated to meet both historical restoration guidelines, where applicable, and energy efficiency construction.

"Without the ARRA funds, these scattered site units, would remain dilapidated and unoccupied," Housing Commissioner Paul Graziano says. "The funds will greatly help HABC's endeavor to bring these units back into productive use, provide affordable housing to our residents, and reinvigorate distressed neighborhoods."

Source: Housing Authority of Baltimore City
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Constellation Energy has donated $1 million to the Baltimore Community Foundation to establish the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) Heating System Fund, which will provide new, energy efficient furnaces to qualifying limited-income customers in Baltimore in need of a heating system replacement.

"Constellation Energy is pleased to expand our partnership with the city of Baltimore and the Baltimore Community Foundation by helping working families in Baltimore make substantial improvements to their home heating systems,"  Mayo A. Shattuck III, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Constellation Energy says. "This program is designed to assist limited-income households that do not qualify for existing energy assistance programs but are nonetheless struggling to make ends meet during this severe economic downturn. For these families, a new, efficient furnace can mean lower bills during the winter heating season. We're proud to be working together with the city of Baltimore on a program that will make a real difference for limited-income families."

The BGE Heating System Fund, launched this month, provides furnace replacements to qualified households above income eligibility levels for state utility bill assistance grants. The eligible household income level will be set at the qualifying amount for the Maryland Weatherization Assistance Program.

"We know firsthand that old or inefficient heating systems are the single biggest contributor to excessive home energy usage and resulting high electric bills. We're grateful to Mayor Dixon and her administration's leadership, as well as the strong support of the Baltimore Community Foundation. Working together, we are confident that we'll have a real and meaningful impact on those who might otherwise not be able to avail themselves of safe and energy-efficient electricity use this coming heating season," Kenneth W. DeFontes Jr, president, BGE, says.

Source: Baltimore Community Foundation
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The AAA auto club has awarded 10 hotels and two restaurants in Maryland with its AAA Four Diamond rating for the year 2010. For the first time, the Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel is the latest area hotel to be included among the club's top rated hotels.

Announced last Thursday at the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit in Ocean City, the designation is given to restaurants and lodgings that must undergo a thorough inspection by one of AAA's 65 full-time, trained professional evaluators. These evaluators assess the cleanliness, ambiance, amenities, and service of some 60,000 hotels and restaurants throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

"AAA Four Diamond winners know the language of customer satisfaction as they consistently deliver premier experiences, complete with superior personal service, first-class amenities and impressive surroundings," says Ragina C. Averella, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

"Only establishments that meet the extensive quality criteria required to become AAA Approved receive a AAA Diamond rating. The two components work in sync � AAA Approved offers the stamp of quality and AAA Diamond ratings show where establishments fit in the spectrum from basic to luxury," Averella adds.

Also earning a spot on the 2010 list were the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, which received the top rating for the eighth consecutive year, the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on the Potomac, National Harbor and  Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront, both making the list for the second straight time; the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, for the 29th year in a row; Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa and Marina, Cambridge, which made the grade for the seventh year; the InterContinental Harbor Court Baltimore for the 23rd time; Loews Annapolis Hotel for the fourth straight year; Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel, earning its 22^nd consecutive mention and Cumberland's Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort for the ninth year.

Baltimore's Charleston topped the list of Four Diamond restaurants making its seventh consecutive appearance on the list. Other area restaurants included Sherwood's Landing in St. Michaels.

"The AAA Diamond Awards represent the quality of Maryland's hospitality industry, and I could not be more proud of today's recipients," says Gov. Martin O'Malley. "In these historically challenging economic times, it's important that we maintain the highest standards of customer satisfaction, particularly in our tourism and hospitality sectors. While there is still much work to be done before our economic recovery transforms into prosperity, top quality hotels and restaurants are an essential ingredient to any economic turnaround."

"We are delighted that the AAA Four Diamond awards were presented to the 2010 winners at the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit," says Mary Jo McCulloch, President of the Maryland Tourism Council. "The winners set the standard for the rest of the industry to follow. It is fitting that they were recognized in front of their peers in the hospitality and tourism industry at Maryland tourism's premier event. It is truly an honor for everyone involved."

Establishments and their ratings will be listed in the 2010 AAA TourBook® guides, in print, and on AAA's website, www.AAA.com. And in response to growing interest in green hotels, starting in 2010, AAA will highlight AAA Approved lodgings that have been eco-certified through a well-established government or private program.

"This recognition is especially important as many businesses, including hotels and restaurants strive to maintain their status of excellence, particularly during these challenging financial times. In many cases, most of us are often doing just as much or even more with fewer resources," Averella continues.

The current AAA Diamond Ratings® system was introduced in 1977 for hotels and 1989 for restaurants. It continues to be recognized as the most trusted rating process for North American restaurants and lodgings.

Source: AAA, automotive club
Writer: Walaika Haskins

 

The Maryland Energy Administration launched the Mid-Sized Solar Energy Grant Program last week. The program provides incentives for businesses to install rooftop solar panels on their premises. The two environmentally-friendly technologies, solar photovoltaic used to converts sunlight into electricity, and solar water heating, that converts sunlight into heat energy that supplements traditional natural gas or electric water heating.

The Mid-Sized Solar Energy Grant Program is made possible by funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009(ARRA).  Up to $1.45 million will be used to help defray the cost to Maryland businesses and non-profits who intend to install appropriately sized solar photovoltaic and solar hot water systems on their premises between now and the end of October, 2010.

The grant program will provide $500 per kW for the first 20 kilowatts of DC capacity, $250 per kW for kilowatts 21 to 50 and $150 per kW for kilowatts 51 to 100 for the solar photovoltaic. Systems must be between 20 and 100 kilowatts to be eligible; maximum grant amount is $25,000.

For solar hot water systems, the grants will cover 15 percent of the installed cost up to $25,000 maximum grant. The systems must be larger than 100 sq ft to be eligible.

Source: Maryland Energy Administration
Writer: Walaika Haskins

What's the best way to turn the masses on to the vegan lifestyle and show them how delicious food free of animal products can be? Open a vegan cafe and bakery. That just what Emily did. The new vegan eatery, located at 4901 Springarden Road in the Stone Mansion,just along the border of the Mt. Washington neighborhood, opened its doors Nov. 1.

"I'm a vegan and we have our dessert business, which is a 100 percent vegan. We really do it for animals and people's health and the environment it's just a much better way to live your life. The vegan lifestyle is great," says Emily.

The cafe features a menu filled with breakfast and lunch favorites as well as backed goods from Emily's line of vegan baked goods, heretofore only available at Wegman's, Whole Foods, Roots Market, the Health Concern and other local grocers.

"I try to have everything that a normal bakery would have, so that people aren't afraid to try it. That way its easier to convince people that veganism is tasty. I want people to think 'Oh! Veganism is an option,' because they've had something at our cafe."

Guests won't find a menu filled with tofu and other plant-based meat substitutes. "I think we have tofu written once, but most of the time we just say 'Bacon, egg and cheese,' because we want people to feel comfortable ordering," she says.

The kitchen is open from 6:30 am to 2 p.m., serving up breakfast and lunch specials that include a variety of sandwiches, and even a Philly Cheesesteak.

Emily hopes that the cafe will become a gathering place for vegetarians and vegans to meet one another as well as local community memers.

Source: Emily
Writer: Walaika Haskins

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 City restaurants will soon be able to add another item to their menu -- live entertainment. The City Council voted to approve a targeted expansion of "responsible live entertainment for restaurants and taverns" in neighborhood business districts. The expansion comes after some 30 years of periodic attempts by the City Council to "enact measures to increase live entertainment venues to support Baltimore's arts community and to enrich city nightlife."

The live entertainment bill, sponsored by City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, would allow restaurants and taverns in zoned B-1, B-2 business districts to obtain a live entertainment permit through the city zoning board and state liquor board. The new law demands, however, that certain conditions be considered before granting zoning approval, including traffic, sanitation, security, and noise mitigation.

"I would like to personally thank my Council colleagues and community groups for working with me to complete this legislation, which will help Baltimore become an arts and entertainment destination for citizens and visitors alike," Rawlings-Blake saiys. "Baltimore always had the raw artistic talent to draw visitors, but too often, antiquated zoning rules got in the way. This legislation will change that and will allow Baltimore's cultural community to flourish."

Introduced in July 2008, the legislation was accompanied by an unprecedented level of public involvement and transparency at every stage of the legislative process. In response to concerns from city residents, the Council took steps to address potential issues in the legislation.

The entertainment bill was approved in conjunction with two bills that provide additional community safeguards. The first authorizes the City Health Department to suspend or deny the renewal of a license for a food service facility that has received multiple environmental or civil citations. The health legislation ensures that operators are held accountable for repeated flagrant violations. The other bill, cosponsored with Councilwoman Rikki Spector (District-5) allows the Board of Municipal Zoning Appeals (BMZA) to suspend or revoke a conditional use permit for failure to comply with the conditions imposed by the board.

"I believe that we have done everything possible to create strong neighborhood safeguards to complement this targeted expansion of live entertainment. The process has been open and transparent�and now we have a bill that addresses the issues that were raised by stakeholders throughout the legislative process," Rawlings-Blake said.

Source: Stephanie Rawlings - Blake, Baltimore City Council
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

City and state leaders, including Mayor Sheila Dixon and Gov. Martin O'Malley gathered Monday at Baltimore's Inner Harbor West Shore Garden to take the wrapper of off the William Donald Schaefer Sculputure, a lasting tribute to the city's flamboyant former mayor and governor of the state of Maryland.

Located between the Harborplace Light Street Pavilion and the Baltimore Visitor Center at Light and Conway streets, the seven-foot bronze sculputer was a gift to the city from Willard Hackerman, president and CEO of Whiting-Turner. 

Sculpted by renowned artist Rodney Carroll, the statue depicts Gov. Schaefer with one arm held high waving and the other hand holding a memo with Schaefer's popular phrase "get it done now." A specially designed garden provides a picturesque backdrop to the statue which looks out towards the Inner Harbor.

"From this day forward, residents and visitors can see one of Baltimore's biggest cheerleaders, and greatest visionaries � William Donald Schaefer � as he looks over the harbor he brought back to life," says Mayor Dixon. "It serves as fitting tribute to the leadership of a man who made the Inner Harbor one of Baltimore's and, now one the nation's brightest jewels."

"Governor Schaefer's 50 years of service are a remarkable testament to his love and loyalty to the people of Maryland, and to his beloved Baltimore," says Gov. O'Malley. "To simply classify his list of accomplishments as "long" would be akin to referring to the Great Wall of China merely as a 'big fence.' Every time a family enjoys a baseball game at Camden Yards or a weekend stroll by Inner Harbor, it is in some way possible because of his leadership."

Born and raised in Baltimore, William Donald Schaefer attended public schools, received a law degree from the University of Baltimore and served in the United States Army. He joined the Baltimore City Council in 1955 and became city council president in 1967. In 1971, he became the mayor of Baltimore City. He led the city for 16 years and paved the way for the revitalization of the Inner Harbor and the multi-million dollar tourism industry. In 1987, William Donald Schaefer took office as the governor of Maryland and held the position for two terms. In 1999, he returned to government and was elected Maryland's comptroller from 1999 to 2007. In addition, he was involved with many civic and charitable organizations. Now 88, Gov. Schaefer has dedicated his life to public service.

Source: Sheila Dixon, Mayor
Writer: Walaika Haskins