tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9647544485284658592011-08-01T13:12:07.261-04:00downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comBlogger501100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-2407569963700421172009-08-24T14:35:00.001-04:002009-08-24T14:36:30.348-04:00

Our blog is on a bit of a hiatus. It will return this fall as part of our newly-redesigned website, www.GoDowntownBaltimore.com. thnx.

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-34864564852250235552009-06-15T16:49:00.008-04:002009-06-16T10:12:21.912-04:00

It's kind of confusing but, as you probably know, the Filene's Basement chain has been struggling. It had closed two of its three Baltimore-area stores, leaving only the Downtown Baltimore location at Lockwood Place open.Last week, a bankruptcy court auctioned Filene's off and the winning bidder, the Men's Wearhouse chain, announced it would close the Downtown store. They didn't say why, and you

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-26323362120648731802009-06-11T10:51:00.003-04:002009-06-11T11:14:04.656-04:00

Hotel Monaco staff welcoming visitors for a preview tourWe've been fortunate to get preliminary looks at the new Hotel Monaco that's scheduled to open in the historic B&O building (at Charles and Baltimore Streets) in about a month. It's part of the high-end Kimpton hotel chain and they've done a great job building out this unique space.There will be a little more than 200 rooms with top

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-40615184528839494242009-06-10T14:09:00.004-04:002009-06-11T10:50:57.315-04:00

The mayor unveiled the new busses and name of the Downtown shuttle. When it begins in late summer / early fall the service will be called the Charm City Circulator.It'll consist of about 20 clean-energy busses that run on three continuously looping routes. One will go from west Baltimore (near the B&O Museum) through the heart of the Downtown tourist district and terminate in Harbor East. The

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-18914281124025691582009-05-27T12:25:00.007-04:002009-05-27T13:09:59.347-04:00

This is the time of year when businesses take on interns or summer associates. We want to help these seasonal hires make the most of their time working downtown and, hopefully, convince them to come back and live / work here when they finish school. So, we've started a kind of orientation event that includes a reception, a quick presentation, and plenty of resources to find things to do, ways to

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-44793726065674746442009-05-27T11:45:00.005-04:002009-05-27T12:13:15.938-04:00

co-worker, Faith, and a friendThere are plenty of good reasons to work downtown but, hands down, my favorite is the businessman's special ... aka, weekday afternoon baseball games.The O's could get their first sweep of the season when they play the Blue Jays at 1:35. But whether they win or lose is almost beside the point. For a lot of people, these games are about heading to the ballpark when

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-61454815159796601422009-05-15T13:20:00.006-04:002009-05-15T14:09:50.880-04:00

the American Can Co. (image from the Can Co. website, thecanco.com) Some things stubbornly refuse to go away. Like ailanthus "trees." Or this.Similarly, there are lingering perceptions about Baltimore, some good (affordable, city of neighborhoods), some trite (funky charm), some harmful (full of crime), and some outdated - that we're a blue collar town, for example.My relatives worked at American

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-9296318342269656472009-05-06T15:27:00.002-04:002009-05-06T15:39:11.335-04:00

Tonight is the latest in an ongoing series of conversations about design in Baltimore. They're held the first Wednesday of the month at the excellent Wind Up Space (12 W. North Avenue).The conversations are curated but open discussions that include presentations by architects, graphic designers, urban planners, and other Big Thinkers. And, each month the program is centered around a specific

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-25372994455438461192009-05-06T14:22:00.012-04:002009-05-06T15:20:30.655-04:00

When you've got a captive audience you don't always need to be captivating. Such is the case with in-flight magazines offered gratis by several major airlines.They're designed as advertising vehicles for the different markets served by the carrier and, by definition, their goal is to appeal to as wide a cross section of people as possible.I often read them when I'm flying, and I've even helped

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-40874909721900602172009-05-05T15:01:00.008-04:002009-05-27T12:17:20.805-04:00

Photo from the Baltimore Sun taken by Jed Kirschbaum.This happens every so often in older homes, cars, cities. Stuff breaks. And, as was the case with the recent water main break that still has Lombard Street closed, people sometimes have a good idea where repairs should happen before it becomes an emergency.Unfortunately, it can be difficult to come up with the money and initiate a majorly

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-35951562860600112972009-04-22T15:23:00.005-04:002009-05-06T10:27:42.159-04:00

In case you haven't noticed, we took some time away from the blog. What can we say, we've been very busy. Since our last post, Mayor Dixon has announced the Pratt Street Initiative, and progress is already being made (more on that in a later post). What else...? The Downtown circulator service we worked to create will begin late in the summer. There was a contest to name the shuttle system and

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-5696628562358816582008-08-18T11:17:00.019-04:002008-08-18T15:54:42.555-04:00

To pick up where my previous post left off, there's a spate of new scholarship about the re-emergence of city centers. (Not to gloat, but we've been pointing this out for years.)At our last Business Over Breakfast meeting, we were fortunate to have Brookings Institute fellow Christopher Leinberber talk about the renewed interest in downtowns and how he thinks it will play out.The gist of his

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-84288865164836441952008-08-05T10:09:00.004-04:002008-08-05T11:44:26.132-04:00

An interesting article in The Washington Post looks at the linkage between gas and the American Dream, basically explaining how the relatively low cost of fuel and the rise of the automobile helped drive people out of cities into suburban clusters for the past several decades - a trend that may be shifting now that gas prices have risen so dramatically.Post reporter Eric Weiss writes:Since the

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-8015797707856240882008-07-30T09:01:00.006-04:002008-08-04T10:35:03.400-04:00

I have celebrated my birthday a grand total of 7 times now, and it isn’t because I am popular or that I have hit some huge milestone, it is simply due to the fact that everyone has crazy schedules in the summer. It is absolutely impossible to get a group together without loosing someone. So you can imagine my surprise when I made reservations for 15 at the Black Olive to celebrate restaurant week

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-80754705151663382002008-07-22T16:47:00.005-04:002008-07-23T10:53:53.667-04:00

the zenith - one of downtown's newest appartment buildings (photo by mitro hood)The national housing slowdown hasn't hurt residential growth here in Downtown. We gained roughly 1,000 new residents last year, and we predict that number will grow this year.Demand for apartments, in particular, is very strong. Many buildings are currently 100% leased, and new properties just hitting the market are

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-39449910825950041992008-07-17T11:47:00.009-04:002008-07-24T12:21:24.748-04:00

photo of Red Maple taken by Mitro HoodGood restaurants define great cities.Think about it... A thriving food scene implies taste and sophistication, it underscores the creativity and entrepreneurialism of a community, and it provides places for people and ideas to come together, mingle, and regenerate. Once known mostly for crabcakes, Baltimore's culinary traditions have been elevated

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-6806481643702651672008-07-16T15:03:00.007-04:002008-07-23T10:56:08.222-04:00

traffic has calmed at Charles Street & Saratoga, although crews are still working to repair conduit damaged by Monday's underground fireThe Sun's Doug Donovan and Jessica Anderson had an interesting article today about the tangled web of public and private utilities underneath our streets.Most of us are vaguely aware of power and sewer lines running below ground but have little idea just how

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-60919569838424038252008-07-08T14:32:00.006-04:002008-07-09T16:14:12.065-04:00

Source: Greater Baltimore Board of RealtorsGoing into 2008 the economic prognosticators were guarded about how the national economy would affect Downtown's.We interviewed 68 regional business leaders for our recent State of Downtown Report, and nearly all of them felt that things wouldn't be great, economically-speaking, but that Downtown's strengths would keep it from struggling the way it did

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-79530050129191244602008-06-30T15:52:00.005-04:002008-07-01T12:27:17.894-04:00

photo by Mitro HoodBaltimore is one of "America's Best Cities for Design."Almost.According to a Baltimore Sun report by architecture critic Ed Gunts, we just missed being a top ten city the likes of San Francisco, Portland, New York, Chicago, and Boston - which all made the list.Gunts writes that, "The independent survey by RMJM Hillier, a large architectural firm based in New York, ranks cities

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-6907880958524041182008-06-30T15:28:00.007-04:002008-07-08T16:20:08.764-04:00

The Brookings Institution has launched something it calls the Blueprint for American Prosperity, a policy initiative to improve the health of the country's metropolitan areas (which it defines as, "old and new suburbs, and even exurban and rural areas that, by virtue of their interwoven labor and housing markets, share common economic destinies"). According to Brookings, "Maryland has three of

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-38188906250529768442008-06-18T16:00:00.009-04:002008-06-20T10:59:37.531-04:00

fast company photo/illustration by peter funchThe magazine Fast Company has named Chicago and London its 2008 cities of the year, praising them for their vibrancy and diversity as much as the strengths of their economies. Chicago has been on our minds a lot lately. In the past three years, Partnership staff has taken several trips there to meet with local officials and see how they do things. For

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-83873375774724583732008-06-18T15:19:00.009-04:002008-06-18T17:12:03.563-04:00

For the second year now, we're hosting Employee Appreciation Week - a great excuse to get outside during the work day. I don't care how rich or powerful you may be, everybody appreciates free ice cream and pizza. We had a great day on Center Plaza this afternoon as you can see in these photos. The next event is a happy hour tomorrow at the Blue Door Bar (the plaza bar at Power Plant Live).

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-61612877559557809932008-06-11T14:49:00.011-04:002008-06-12T15:08:44.045-04:00

This week we kicked off the new Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) and an impressive group of executives joined us for a chic party, presentations by women entrepreneurs, and a private screening of the new Sex & the City movie.The idea behind the initiative is pretty simple, and it came to us from our members. For some time we've heard from businesswomen who want new ways to connect with their

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-21006802306878179032008-05-30T12:00:00.005-04:002008-05-30T16:10:24.060-04:00

“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Normally, that’s a smart move. But we’re hoping that’s not the case with the International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) annual Global Retail Real Estate Convention we attended recently.With more than 50,000 attendees, this is the Mecca of retail recruitment. National retailers, real estate brokers, and developers make the trek each year to find the

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-82326677021106486392008-05-23T13:27:00.006-04:002008-05-27T10:03:10.865-04:00

M&T Bank Stadium seen from Federal Hill park. (photo by Frank Klein)If you're a lacrosse fan, chances are you at least considered making the trip to the NCAA final tournament at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. In it's infinite wisdom, the NCAA has moved a tournament that drew record crowds here in Baltimore the past few years. I can't fault them for trying to grow the sport and

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-35834783311239894092008-05-22T12:07:00.010-04:002008-05-22T13:16:33.172-04:00

Photo of Johns Hopkins Commencement by Will Kirk / HIPS, 2007Earlier today I passed by a group of jubilant looking people in black robes who were either very young judges or newly minted graduates. Trailing a few paces behind were relieved looking people I assume were the parents. It seemed they were all headed off to a celebratory lunch somewhere near the harbor. Seeing students Downtown is

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-55849830427567350222008-05-15T10:22:00.010-04:002008-05-30T16:43:56.843-04:00

trading floor at T. Rowe Price (Photo by Mitro Hood)A recent national study that compares the economic strengths of major metropolitan areas has ranked Baltimore as the eleventh most competitive place in the country. (They're talking about economic competitiveness, not trying to imply that we're all cut-throat.) The rankings, compiled by the Beacon Hill Institute at Suffolk University, are based

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-72767629949522886572008-05-14T16:45:00.004-04:002008-05-15T10:36:21.942-04:00

Today may have been the 42nd Annual Preakness Frog Hop, but it was the first time I placed in the top three (please see my excitement pictured.)Linda (pictured, far right, in the midst of a valiant fist pump) helped me co-jockey “Downtown Kirby” to a whopping 4 feet 6.5 inch jump. Not bad for a frog named after our own Downtown Partnership President, Kirby Fowler.Maybe next year we will bring

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-65933969832474971932008-05-09T11:46:00.004-04:002008-05-15T10:13:10.693-04:00

I generally like to think I live a charmed life. My concerns usually consist of:Work: Why does the printer hate me?Family: Is everyone safe?Friends: Where are we going tonight?Money: When do I get paid again?I watch the news, but to be perfectly honest, I find that most of the national and even local news has little direct effect on me (other than the $50 it costs me to fill up my gas tank).Two

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-73754394179251820792008-05-07T15:53:00.018-04:002008-05-30T15:06:34.457-04:00

New York Times photo by Todd HeislerIt feels like summer out right now which makes me think two things: how long before the good local produce starts rolling into area farmers markets, and why am I still inside typing on the computer?This link to the Sun has information on all the area farmer's markets including the newest one in Harbor East. Coincidentally, there's a great story in today's New

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-3222659483365709792008-05-07T15:21:00.007-04:002008-05-08T09:20:41.052-04:00

the current arena Plans for a new Baltimore arena aren't even finalized yet but, to its credit, the Urban Design Committee of Baltimore's American Institute of Architects (AIA) chapter wants to start planning what could go on the current arena site - provided that location isn't used for a new arena. We've always felt the site (along with the Superblock just to the north) is critical to linking

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-72501279063437177892008-05-06T13:14:00.007-04:002008-05-06T14:06:51.520-04:00

The city has opened a kind of mission control center for Baltimore traffic that should alleviate gridlock and quickly detour drivers around accidents or construction. Operators at the center can monitor traffic around town via live cameras and, at the push of a button, change traffic light timings. That means they can turn lights green to speed things up in a congested area, route traffic around

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-92144348862425526102008-05-01T13:50:00.008-04:002008-05-06T13:48:23.358-04:00

Lauren Conrad has been spotted with Doug Reinhardt, a minor leaguer for the Baltimore Orioles. We hope his stats don't suffer if he spends more time with the formerly known LC than at the batting cages, however I think we should give him a try. Something tells me the female attendance count might shoot through the roof. How about giving him a shot at the big time, Mr. Angelos?--faith

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-22044607998379637462008-04-30T12:37:00.012-04:002008-07-17T14:12:07.250-04:00

buy 'em by the bagBaltimore Sun photo by by Monica Lopossay / April 25, 2008RIP Little Tavern. The last of these throw back hamburger stands just closed in Baltimore after holding on for so many decades. The closing is ironic given that sliders are such a hot trend, popping up on the menus at corner bars and pricey bistros.Small square hamburgers were Little Tavern's stock in trade. They came

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-11773345911353001552008-04-30T12:08:00.006-04:002008-05-27T15:41:26.363-04:00

I live in Federal Hill. People who live in Federal Hill don’t often venture any where else--maybe the occasional Canton, or if we get crazy, Mt. Vernon. But in all honesty we are happier in the 21230. In fact, last week I was told, “You Federal Hill kids drop anchor and it takes a tornado to get you to move, except if you're in Canton. Then a mouse passing gas is enough to send you back to The

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-71092501359185717692008-04-28T17:12:00.006-04:002008-05-06T15:01:20.363-04:00

New York City has unveiled a new transportation plan that promotes sustainable growth, improved traffic and pedestrian flow, and the goal of doubling the number of bicycle commuters. It's an impressive plan not just in scope, but because it's so forward-thinking and substantive. Check it out here. -mike

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-2828624419867537972008-04-28T14:08:00.004-04:002008-04-28T16:15:49.866-04:00

Right now everything is GREEN. However I am more inclined to agree with Kermit—it’s hard being green. I turn off my lights when I am not using them (at least when I remember), I recycle (however, I have no idea if the stuff I put in the specially marked trash can in my kitchen is actually recyclable, and I walk to work (most of the time). Aside from that, I really am unconcerned with the whole

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-75166322676870078202008-04-28T09:55:00.008-04:002008-05-06T15:01:41.744-04:00

Historic photo of the North Avenue Market as posted on the Load of Fun website. There's a good article in The Daily Record today (subscription required) summarizing the redevelopment of the old North Avenue Market and some of the other projects that are putting that area back on the map. (Here's an older article from Urbanite magazine about the SoHo effect - the delecate balance required to

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-77644590934302127162008-04-24T11:53:00.005-04:002008-04-24T12:24:06.103-04:00

Rolling Stone photo by Josh Rothstein In case you don't get out much, the new issue of Rolling Stone gives you some idea of what you're missing. The current magazine includes a Best of Rock section that calls out Baltimore for having the Best Scene. What's cool about the recognition is that it underscores just how diverse Baltimore's hip hop, art, and alt-rock culture is. The article provides

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-7781834504103992802008-04-22T09:49:00.011-04:002008-04-22T10:41:05.698-04:00

Happy Earth Day everyone. This may not be as lively a celebration as, say... St. Patrick's Day, but there's no denying it's relevance. Most people don't associate environmentalism with Downtowns, but as we've noted on this blog, there's increasing evidence that dense transit-oriented communities like Downtown are much more eco-friendly than developments that gobble up land and require a car to go

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-90418735640810100862008-04-22T09:03:00.006-04:002008-04-22T09:26:46.766-04:00

There's no glossing over the serious crime problems that Baltimore, and cities just like us, are facing. But, here at The Partnership we do our best to let the world know that crime is only one small piece of Baltimore's story, and it certainly shouldn't define us. We've documented in the past several State of Downtown reports that Baltimore is enjoying steady rises in investments and jobs, that

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-80749930917658556982008-04-22T08:23:00.008-04:002008-04-22T10:32:18.074-04:00

The pace of improvements to the south shoreline of the harbor (the Middle Branch) seems to be picking up as the north fork of the Patapsco (the Inner Harbor, Key Highway, Locust Point, Harbor East, Fell's Point, Canton) becomes fully developed and as more people realize the potential of all the available, and largely under-used shoreline on the other side of the Hanover Street Bridge. As anyone

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-36089902319232405712008-04-21T11:51:00.013-04:002008-06-20T13:57:57.963-04:00

Light Rail Commuters in Downtown Baltimore. Today on NPR, Morning Edition reported that home prices are falling most in areas with the longest commute times, and that both developers and home buyers are embracing smart growth policies as a result.National studies have shown that in-town and transit-oriented neighborhoods are maintaining or gaining in value as people tire of long commutes,

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-33150483803008458102008-04-16T10:35:00.010-04:002008-04-16T12:31:38.507-04:00

The April edition of Metropolis magazine features an article by Karrie Jacobs about how cities are taking the lead on issues of national importance (like California did on CAFE standards and curbing auto emissions), while the feds are slowly having to catch up. She writes: "I’ve noticed that America’s big-city mayors have emerged as a sort of government in exile, putting forth a remarkably

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-76348947813029725312008-04-15T18:07:00.006-04:002008-04-16T17:41:37.439-04:00

For the past five years, David Simon and his amazing crew have made my job—what's the word I am looking for—challenging. And while I am absolutely addicted (no pun intended) to The Wire, I am slightly elated that HBO won't be syndicating a show that depicts my city as an arm pit.I recently downloaded the theme song from "The Wire" to listen to while I walk to work. It is a two mile trek from my

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-48254510396473648212008-04-15T09:59:00.007-04:002008-04-16T13:18:56.544-04:00

There's an interesting article in today's Examiner about the green roof being installed at the new Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel. The plans call for 32,000 square feet of green roof comprised of six different species of plants. According to the article, this will make it bigger than the one over at Montgomery Park.Of all the benefits to green roofs (increased efficiency, runoff control

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-48373504412894922142008-04-14T13:15:00.005-04:002008-04-14T14:12:03.244-04:00

The water cooler talk last Friday was all about the confirmed news that Jenna Bush will be moving with her soon-to-be husband to South Baltimore. Some people who work here and live in that area are wondering how this will change the neighborhood, if at all. Will that mysterious guy next to you at Cross Street Market be Secret Service? Will there be traffic jams in front of the house? What happens

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-43775149088012700512008-04-14T12:38:00.003-04:002008-04-14T16:11:24.562-04:00

Anyone wondering what was going to happen to the plot of land where the Rochambeau once stood got their answer last Friday when the Baltimore Archdiocese broke ground on the Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden.What's currently a grassy field will become a $1.5 million green space along a well-traveled portion of Charles Street (at Franklin). It will feature a winding path of flowers and shade trees,

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-76109697474831486972008-04-14T12:07:00.001-04:002008-04-14T16:12:30.399-04:00

People often associate The Partnership with large development projects, like the transformation of Center Plaza or the Pratt Street redesign. But we also have programs to help the little guy. Our Facade Improvement Program (FIP), for example, has been used by dozens of smaller commercial properties to fix up the front of their building.The process works like this: You apply and, if accepted in to

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-964754448528465859.post-16146950508175270492008-04-09T16:47:00.000-04:002008-04-10T09:58:24.865-04:00

. . . to the inaugural post of our blog. The micro plan is to update this space with news, information, and insights that might be of interest. As with all we do, the macro plan for this site is to generate excitement and discussion about what's happening in Downtown Baltimore and, hopefully, encourage more people to take advantage of all the area has to offer. Downtown is the region's bulls-eye.

downtown partnership of baltimorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00901642644264214476noreply@blogger.com