Sweat Peaz Southern Kitchen Opens in Federal Hill

Sweet Peaz Southern Kitchen opened this month at 1026 S. Charles St. in Federal Hill. The 4,000 sq. ft. storefront was the former home of Fat Larry’s before it closed in 2017.

Sweet Peaz serves Southern dishes including fried chicken, chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits, BBQ ribs, broiled salmon, turkey wings, turkey burgers, oxtails, fried fish, and sides including mashed potatoes, green beans, collard greens, mac and cheese, and candied yams.

Sweet Peaz is open for lunch, dinner, and late-night, and soon will add brunch hours. Sweet Peaz is currently open Tuesday and Wednesday from 12pm to 8pm, Thursday from 12pm to 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 2am, and Sunday from 12pm to 5pm. Sweet Peaz will offer earlier hours and a brunch menu on Sundays in the near future.

After 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays, the late-night menu will focus on turkey burgers, fried chicken, fried fish, shrimp, and french fries.

The building no longer has a liquor license as it was sold to Shoyou Sushi. Sweat Peaz will sell homemade iced tea and lemonade.

Owner Fatimah Ames opened Sweet Peaz to honor her late mother. After high school, Ames tried nursing school and then beauty school, before getting into the clerical side of healthcare. However, Ames was still not completely happy and wanted to go to culinary school. Ames’ mother was concerned about another career change for her daughter, but Ames was sure this is what she wanted to do. Ames’ mother died soon after this decision and Ames was adamant about keeping her promise to her mother of finishing culinary school and naming a restaurant after her mother one day. This is now a reality as Sweet Pea was Ames’ mother’s nickname.

Ames grew up in New York City and Virginia Beach, and her mother is from Alabama and her father is from Eastern Virginia. Ames said Southern cooking was a big part of her household growing up. She carried on that tradition at family functions by cooking her family’s Southern food recipes. One day a friend encouraged her to start doing catering. She followed that advice and eventually opened a small carryout storefront in Harlem called ‘Sea to Soul,’ which was open for a few years starting in 2011.

Ames, who was raising her own three kids along with three younger siblings, moved to Georgia, but soon after wanted to be closer to family and moved to Baltimore where her father had relocated after retiring. Ames finished her business degree last year and currently has a catering business that has moved its operation into Sweet Peaz.

Ames chose Federal Hill because she fell in love with the space at 1026 S. Charles St. Its layout features a kitchen and carryout area in the front and a large two-story dining room in the back, which reminded her of SoHo in New York City. There is a back bar and patio that will not initially be open at Sweet Peaz.

Ames also loves the space because her and her now-husband had their first dance next-door at Nobles two years ago.

Ames renovated the floors and bathrooms in the restaurant space and lined the walls with black and white photos of Baltimore and New York City. Sweet Peaz also honors The Soup Kitchen, which was the former long-time restaurant in the space that was run by Wayne Brokke, who still owns the building.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/23/sweat-peaz-southern-kitchen-opens-in-federal-hill/

Photo Tour of the Nearly-Completed Reconstruction of the Key Highway and Light Street Intersection

Baltimore City Department of Transportation’s (DOT) reconstruction of the Key Hwy. and Light St. intersection is nearly complete and is now being used by cars and pedestrians. The project started in January 2018 and will be 99% complete by the end of December, according to DOT Public Relations Officer Kathy Dominick.

District 11 Councilman Eric Costello told SouthBMore.com in an email, “DOT will be having a “Semi Final Inspection” in January at which time they will create a “Punch List” but at this moment we need to remove some old signal poles at Light/Hughes/Key and some small masonry things over at the sidewalk in front of the shopping center.”

He added, “In addition to the above from DOT, I am working with them on getting some railings installed around the bio-retention area in front of Christ Church Harbor Apartments. That is an accident waiting to happen for our seniors. No determination has been made on this request yet.”

In 2012, a traffic circle was proposed for the intersection but the project became too large and expensive, and presented concerns regarding pedestrian safety, according to City officials. It was scrapped and the project went in a different direction. “They are able to use the same amount of money to make improvements from Conway all the way to Covington, as opposed to just that one intersection,” former Councilman William Cole told SouthBMore.com in 2013.

Rendering from the previous plan

Project engineers also said at a public meeting in October 2017 that a traffic circle would be a safety concern for blind pedestrians in the area.

The new plan, which was first presented in 2013 and has since undergone some changes, does away with the traffic circle and adds several new medians, green spaces, traffic lights, and curb bump-outs. The project specifications are listed as:

• Full Depth Roadway Reconstruction with Complete Rail Track Removal
• Concrete Roadway Repairs
• Installation of New Traffic Signals – Key Highway @ Light Street, Key Highway @ William Street; Key Highway @ Covington Street – ACPS/CPS Crosswalk Revision
• New Signing and Pavement Markings
• Storm Drain Improvements, Stormwater Management
• Increase to the Capacity of Existing Conduit System
• Replacement of Water Line
• Median Installation along Key Highway from Battery Avenue to Covington Street
• Removal of Existing Berm between Key Highway and Rash Field (Battery Avenue to Covington Street/Rusty Scupper)
• Gwynns Falls Trail Extension
• Landscaping, Sidewalk & ADA Upgrades, Gwynns Falls Trail Extension

A southbound lane of Light St. has been eliminated between Lee St. and Key Hwy. with a sidewalk extension. Cars traveling southbound into Federal Hill on Light St. now have a separate lane which is divided by a new median. There continues to be a traffic signal at southbound Light St. and Key Hwy. to protect pedestrians. This stretch also has a new bike lane.

An existing median at Hughes St., Key Hwy., and Light St. was expanded, eliminating a small stretch of Hughes St. that connects to Light St. This median has a new walkway.

New curb bump-outs surround the off-street parking along the south side of Key Hwy. Many new trees and plants were added along sidewalks and medians.

STV is the designer of the project, and Manuel Luis Construction Company, Inc. was rewarded the $6,325,113.50 contract from DOT.

Redevelopment of the adjacent Rash Field is expected to begin in January 2020.

Screenshots from Google Maps of the previous intersection 

 

Picture of project renderings from an STV poster

Light St. and Key Hwy. intersection 

New light at William St. and Key Hwy. 

New bioretention in front of Christ Church Harbor Apartments on the 600 block of Light St. 

New streetscaping, medians, and bioretention around the shopping center on the 200 block of Key Hwy.

New median on Key Hwy. between Federal Hill Park and Rash Field 

Gwynns Falls Trail extension in front of Rash Field

An existing bike path section on the 600 block of Light St. was repaired as tree roots had disrupted the surface. 

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/20/photo-tour-of-the-nearly-completed-reconstruction-of-the-key-highway-and-light-street-intersection/

The Harak Law Firm Relocates to Federal Hill

David Harak moved The Harak Law Firm, LLC from Downtown to 1400 S. Charles St. in recent months. Harak purchased the 4,263 sq. ft. building in August.

The Law Offices of Bryan A. Bishop remains on the second floor of the three-story building. Harak has his offices on the third floor. The first floor has additional space for Harak, as well as shared amenity spaces including a kitchen and conference room.

Harak renovated the building with new flooring, paint, artwork, a new roof, and new HVAC units. He is adding a rooftop deck so he can work outside and enjoy views of Baltimore.

1400 S. Charles St. was an apartment building prior to 2008 when it was converted to law offices.

Harak said he was looking around Baltimore for a new office and fell in love with the Federal Hill neighborhood. He said it’s safe and that “people say hello here.” While he has clients all over the state and often works on the road, he said he loves Baltimore and the gravitas of having a firm located in the city.

The Harak Law Firm is a plaintiff’s firm servicing clients with legal matters in the areas of personal injury, medical malpractice, and legal malpractice. Harak started the practice in 1997 and said he relies on word of mouth to get clients, mentioning the close relationship he’s had with many past clients. Harak said he was motivated to become a personal injury lawyer after his father was a victim of medical negligence while Harak was attending the University of Maryland School of Law.

The Harak Law Firm has two longtime employees who Harak said are like his family.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/18/the-harak-law-firm-relocates-to-federal-hill/

Tuesdays Under 250: Two-Bedroom Home on Battery Avenue for Under $200,000

Welcome to Tuesdays Under 250! Each week SouthBMore.com will showcase a home on the market listed for $250,000 or less.

This two-bedroom home in Federal Hill features hardwood floors, exposed brick, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, a double vanity, a subway tile shower/tub, vaulted ceilings, and a back patio.

1232 Battery Avenue
Federal Hill 
Price: $194,900
Tax: $4,859
910 sq. ft.
-2 BD/1.5 Full Bath
Off Street Parking: No

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/17/tuesdays-under-250-two-bedroom-home-on-battery-avenue-for-under-200000/

South Baltimore Crime Updates

According to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD)  Crime Map, the following crimes were reported from 12/7/19 – 12/13/19:

Ridgely’s Delight

BURGLARY (FORCE) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2019 21:00 6XX MELVIN DR ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

Stadium Area

NONE

Barre Circle

NONE

Otterbein

NONE

Sharp-Leadenhall

NONE

Federal Hill

NONE

Federal Hill South/Riverside

BURGLARY (FORCE) TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 03:21 17XX BELT ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

BURGLARY (FORCE) SUNDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2019 22:00 8XX E FORT AVE OTHER-INSIDE

LARCENY- FROM AUTO MONDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2019 20:00 16XX WEBSTER ST APT/CONDOMINIUM

LARCENY- FROM AUTO TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 18:00 14XX COVINGTON ST STREET

South Baltimore Neighborhood

NONE

Key Highway/HarborView

NONE

Inner Harbor

NONE

Port Covington

NONE

Locust Point

LARCENY- OTHER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2019 15:30 18XX WHETSTONE WAY STREET

LARCENY- FROM AUTO SUNDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2019 17:00 13XX LOWMAN ST Unknown

BURGLARY (ATT. FORCE) SATURDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2019 23:40 16XX E CLEMENT ST STREET

Pigtown

ROBBERY – FIREARM MONDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2019 17:55 13XX W OSTEND ST STREET

ROBBERY – KNIFE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019 21:32 2XX SCOTT ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

LARCENY- OTHER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2019 07:11 9XX RAMSAY ST OTHER-OUTSIDE

LARCENY- FROM AUTO SUNDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2019 20:00 11XX SARGEANT ST STREET

Carroll – Camden Industrial Area

LARCENY- OTHER MONDAY, DECEMBER 09, 2019 01:30 15XX RUSSELL ST OTHER-INSIDE

LARCENY- OTHER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 07, 2019 13:03 15XX RUSSELL ST STREET

LARCENY- OTHER SUNDAY, DECEMBER 08, 2019 06:50 18XX WASHINGTON BLVD CONVENIENCE

Hollins Market

NONE

Union Square

NONE

Offense definitions from the FBI

South Baltimore Peninsula Neighborhoods Map

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/17/south-baltimore-crime-updates-165/

A Renovated ‘Ropewalk’ Reopens with Duckpin Lanes, Arcade Games, and a New Menu

Ropewalk Tavern reopened last week after being closed since July for renovations. Now in its 25th year of business in Federal Hill, Ropewalk returns with a concept the ownership group feels will “cater more to locals and families in South Baltimore.” The restaurant now has mini duckpin lanes, arcade lanes, more low-top tables, more beer taps, and a new menu.

The Ropewalk team is building off the success of its beach bars in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia that have different activities like playgrounds, corn hole, ring toss, and fire pits. They also opened a new restaurant in Ocean City over the summer called Alley Oops which has a shark tank, mini duckpin bowling, and around 50 games.

A spokesperson for the Ropewalk team said Alley Oops has been a fantastic experience and they are already planning a second location at the former OC Brewing Co. on 55th St. in Ocean City.

The Ropewalk team used its experience at Alley Oops to determine what games would likely work best at Ropewalk. However, if a game doesn’t work out at Ropewalk, it can be moved to one of the Alley Oops locations. Ropewalk will look to add more games to the second floor after figuring out what is popular.

Ropewalk is four rowhomes wide, and the front of the middle two buildings have been filled with games including a very large Connect Four Hoops, four skee-ball machines, two mini duckpin machines, Big Buck Hunter, Golden Tee, bubble hockey, and bubble soccer. There are new pool tables on the second floor and third floor.

Ropewalk will add four more duckpin machines to the second floor if the first-floor units are popular. The lanes on the second floor will likely be a bit longer than the ones on the first floor.

Ropewalk has all new flooring, paint, bar tops, blinds, Samsung televisions, and draft beer lines. The front bar on the northern-most building now has 32 draft lines. The other bars at Ropewalk Tavern each have 16 draft lines.

The back room, which is in a building that dates back to the 1700s, was painted white to brighten it up. It now has all low-top tables that are more family- and dining-friendly. Dueling pianos and DJs will continue to play in this room on weekend nights.

The new menu is a “bar menu” featuring .59 cent wings all the time. The wings tap into many of the flavors rolled out when the team started and used to own Delia Foley’s. The menu also has burgers, sandwiches, and tacos.

“With games and discounted food, we thought we could bring people in earlier, but still be a late-night place,” said the Ropewalk spokesperson.

The front signage was updated and the buildings that used to say McFaul’s now say Ropewalk in a logo with bowling pins. A new hanging Ropewalk sign with a bowling pin reads “Eat, Drink, Play.”

The team is excited to open in time for the Ravens playoff run as well as to host its 25th Ronald Reagan birthday party on February 6th.

Many of Ropewalk’s staff and bartenders are returning.

Ropewalk is open Tuesday to Thursday from 430pm to 2am, Friday from 2pm to 2am, and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 2am.

Photos courtesy of Ropewalk Tavern

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/16/a-renovated-ropewalk-reopens-with-duckpin-lanes-arcade-games-and-a-new-menu/

‘Vagrant Coffee’ Takes Over ‘3 Bean Coffee’ in Federal Hill, Will Also Open a New Pigtown Location

Vagrant Coffee started as a traveling pop-up and catering coffee business in 2017 and has since grown to have four brick-and-mortar shops in its portfolio. It opened Cafe @ 1100 in Pigtown in January; took over Milk & Honey Market in August, which has a location in Station North and will be opening a location next year in Pigtown; and took over 3 Bean Coffee in Federal Hill on October 1st.

Josh Dew and Jared Cate are the co-founders of Vagrant. Dew told SouthBMore.com the mobile business grew to the point where it made sense to start acquiring other cafes. Dew and Cate met when they both worked at Ceremony Coffee Roasters and decided to team up after learning that a lot of people were requesting baristas for special events. They started a mobile cafe out of a Mini Cooper and started attending events and farmers markets. The mobile cafe remains an important part of their business as they have added brick-and-mortar locations.

Vagrant Coffee roasts its own beans at another coffee shop in Canton. Dew says Vagrant sources its beans from all over the world and looks to create a medium blend.

Vagrant was involved in the relaunch of Milk & Honey Market at the Nelson Kohl Apartment building 10 E. Lanvale St. in Station North since its opening in December 2018. It started as a consulting agreement with Milk & Honey Market using Vagrant’s products, and the company later took over the business in August.

Milk & Honey Market was owned by Dana Valery who is the wife of Ernst Valery, a principal with SAA/EVI which developed Nelson Kohl and developed Bath House Square at 906 Washington Blvd. in Pigtown where the second Milk & Honey Market will open. Dew said he hopes to partner with SAA/EVI to open more cafes in its buildings.

Dew said the Pigtown location of Milk & Honey Market could open in January. The 1,700 sq. ft. cafe will follow the same model as the Station North location. It will serve drip coffee drinks and lattes, along with nitro cold brew, kombucha from Baltimore’s Wild Kombucha, and tea from Baltimore’s Wight Tea Company. Food will be “classic American lunch fare” including turkey sandwiches and chicken salad served on bread from local bakeries, salads, breakfast sandwiches, bagels, pastries, and hash from Baltimore’s Stone’s Throw Hash.

Milk & Honey Market will open on a block that has seen significant investment including the under-construction Groundwork Kitchen restaurant and culinary arts training facility, Bath House Square, and businesses including Suspended Brewing Company, Mobtown Ballroom, and REEF Kitchens.

“Pigtown is a very interesting place and very up-and-coming,” said Dew, who added that they are following through on the Valery family vision of opening a business to benefit the community.

Milk & Honey Market is open Monday to Friday from 630am to 630pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 5pm in Station North. The Pigtown location will have similar hours.

3 Bean has been undergoing renovations at its space at 209 Key Hwy. and will be rebranded with the name Vagrant Coffee when its new sign is installed in the near future. Vagrant upgraded the food menu with the same items served at Milk & Honey Market. Vagrant kept 3 Bean’s staff in place during the ownership change.

Dew said the 3 Bean location is “very strategic” as well as “beautiful” with its views of the Inner Harbor. He noted its location across from Rash Field and the Inner Harbor allows them to sell coffee to tourists, and its location near I-95 and Downtown allows them to be an easy stop for commuters entering and leaving the city.

Work is wrapping up on the reconstruction of the Key Hwy. and Light St. intersection. Dew said they are excited the work in front of the shop has been completed, but that it also allowed Vagrant to coordinate renovations to the shop while exterior work was taking place. The front parking area of 3 Bean now has a protective median that separates it from Key Hwy., an effort by Baltimore City Department of Transportation to make the entire intersection more pedestrian-friendly.

A redevelopment of Rash Field will begin early next year, and Dew said they are excited to be the coffee shop that serves Rash Field and they are looking to make a strong connection with the park.

Cafe @ 1100 is located in the lobby of 1100 Wicomico and mostly serves the tenants of the 416,000 sq. ft office building, according to Dew. It is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 2pm.

Vagrant Coffee currently has 24 employees.

Dew said another location in South Baltimore is a possibility and they are interested in opening a location in Port Covington near City Garage and South Point.

3 Bean Coffee

New median and reconstructed Key Hwy. in front of 3 Bean Coffee 

Future location of Milk & Honey Market at Bath House Square in Pigtown 

Cafe @ 1100

The Vagrant Coffee Mini Cooper. Photo courtesy of Vagrant Coffee’s Facebook page

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/13/vagrant-coffee-takes-over-3-bean-coffee-in-federal-hill-will-also-open-a-new-pigtown-location/

South Baltimore Business Roundup

Federal Hill Natural Market Closing 

Federal Hill Natural Market is closing at 1205 Light St. after four years in business. The natural products store, which sells vitamins, healthcare products, teas, oils, and foods, is currently offering discounts on its remaining inventory.

Howard Street Tunnel Reconstruction Gets Funding 

A reconstruction of the Howard Street Tunnel is now fully funded after CSX and the State of Maryland have agreed to $103 million in additional funding for the $466-million project. The project will allow for the double stacking of CSX trains going to and from the Port of Baltimore. The Howard Street Tunnel runs under Downtown for 1.4 miles and reopens next to the Camden Yards Sports Complex.

The project received a $125-million federal grant this summer. CSX had previously committed to $91 million and the state to $147 million.

The Maryland Congressional Delegation said this is projected to create 7,000 jobs in Maryland.

A New Jamaican Restaurant in Brooklyn 

Straight JamDown Island Cuisine opened in recent months at 429 E. Patapsco Ave. in Brooklyn. It takes over a long-vacant retail space. The Jamaican menu features fried chicken, curry chicken, jerk chicken, oxtail, curry goat, red snapper, patties, and more.

Former Unleashed by Petco for Lease

Unleashed by Petco closed at 1100 Light St. in Federal Hill in November 2018 and now the 3,600 sq. ft. space is up for lease. A new ‘for lease’ sign was placed in the window by MFI Realty. The space sits at the prime corner of Light St. and E. Cross St. adjacent to Cross Street Market. The retail space shares a building with Dunkin’ Donuts.

New Murals Added to Hollins Market 

Phase 1 of improvements to Hollins Market has been underway since June. Improvements include new siding, trim, lighting, and fixtures to the exterior of the 14,000 sq. ft. shed. In recent weeks, three new murals were also added. The project was spearheaded by War Horse Cities CDC and was designed by design PI.KL Studio.

Baltimore Public Market Corporation (BPMC) will lead an interior renovation of the market. This is currently in the planning phase.

Kamala Harris to Close South Baltimore Campaign Office 

Senator Kamala Harris shut down her campaign for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Senator Harris’ campaign headquarters was located at Spaces in Stadium Square in South Baltimore, but that office will now close.

Suspended Adds Thursday Hours 

Suspended Brewing Company has been open for a year and a half at 912 Washington Blvd. in Pigtown, but its tap room has been limited to Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. This month it added a fourth day to its lineup as the tap room is now open on Thursdays from 4pm to 9pm.

Diablo Doughnuts on Food & Beverage Magazine Cover

Michael Roslan, owner of Diablo Doughnuts in Federal Hill, appeared on the cover of the December issue of Food & Beverage Magazine. The magazine published a story on Diablo’s partnership with DuClaw Brewing Company on Sour Me Unicorn Farts beer.

Food & Beverage Magazine cover

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/11/south-baltimore-business-roundup-166/

Mid-Week Listing: Custom Four-Bedroom Home Near Riverside Park with Parking, a Rooftop Deck, and Tax Credit

This Mid-Week Listing is brought to you by Federal Hill’s Upper Chesapeake Insurance Agency:

Welcome to Mid-Week Listing! Each week SouthBMore.com will showcase a home on the market listed between $250,000 and $500,000.

This four-bedroom home near Riverside Park features original hardwood floors; exposed brick; reclaimed wood walls, shelves, window sills, and countertops; sliding barn doors; custom bathrooms; stamped concrete floors in the basement; a parking pad; and a rooftop deck.

1820 Belt Street
Riverside         
Price: $449,900
Tax: $4,464
4 BD/3 BA
2,028 sq. ft.
Off Street Parking: Yes

Upper Chesapeake Insurance, your local Erie Insurance Agency, is located on S. Charles Street in Federal Hill. We are a full service agency providing home, auto, business and life insurance since 1996.  Our agents have lived and worked in the neighborhood are very familiar with the unique aspects of city row homes and city living. Contact us today to speak with a local agent with local knowledge – we know 21230! Erie offers the protection you need and the service you expect all at a great price.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/11/mid-week-listing-custom-four-bedroom-home-near-riverside-park-with-parking-a-rooftop-deck-and-tax-credit/

Efforts Underway to Connect the BWI Trail to the Gwynns Falls Trail

MedStar Harbor Hospital, Greater Baybrook Alliance (GBA), and South Baltimore Gateway Partnership (SBGP) are teaming up on an effort to connect the BWI Trail in Anne Arundel County to the Gwynns Falls Trail in Baltimore City. The Gwynns Falls Trail currently ends just south of MedStar Harbor Hospital’s Cherry Hill Campus and a spur of the BWI Trail currently ends at W. Maple Rd. near N. Camp Mead Rd. in Linthicum Heights.

The organizations received a $500,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development for a 30% engineering design of the trail. Ryan Moran, MedStar’s Director of Community Health for Baltimore City, told SouthBMore.com a 30% engineering design is required to apply for construction grants.

The engineering design process will determine the route of the trail and where construction would occur, as well as study traffic patterns. There will be a community engagement process during the engineering design. The engineering design will begin in January and take about 18 months.

Moran said the goal of the connection between the two trails is for recreation and bike commuting. He noted 50% of households in Cherry Hill and 33% in Curtis Bay do not have access to a car. This is higher than the 29% city-wide average and 6.1% in Federal Hill.

Moran said the grant proposals presented points of improvement for the trail connection. They include resident access to Middle Branch Park and its 11 miles of shoreline; access to the soon-to-be renovated Reedbird Park; closing the gap between the Gwynns Falls Trail and BWI Trail; improving access to the Patapsco Light Rail Station; increasing economic activity in Brooklyn, Brooklyn Park, and Cherry Hill; creating opportunities to access care at MedStar Harbor Hospital; and to foster a community culture of health and outdoor recreation.

GBA Executive Director Meredith Chaiken told SouthBMore.com the trail connection would be a huge boon to the area and the unified system of trails will attract tourists.

The gap between the two trails is about 4.5 miles. While a route for the trail will be studied and has not been determined, a connection would likely go through Pumphrey, Brooklyn Park, and Brooklyn before connecting in Cherry Hill. The BWI Trail is connected to the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail that travels south to Annapolis along the former Baltimore and Annapolis Railroad tracks.

The Broadneck Peninsula Trail in Arnold and Annapolis is being constructed in phases and will eventually connect the Baltimore and Annapolis Trail to Sandy Point State Park next to the Bay Bridge.

The Gwynns Falls Trail currently travels from Cherry Hill to the Inner Harbor and runs west through Carroll Park and west through Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park.

If the connection is made between the BWI Trail and Gwynns Falls Trail, a cyclist would be able to ride a trail entirely from Baltimore to Annapolis and Baltimore to Sandy Point State Park, as well as to the Bay Bridge when the Broadneck Peninsula Trail is completed.

Additional improvements to the Gwynns Falls Trail are eyed as the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT) is partnering with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Baltimore Greenway Trails Network, and SBGP to “establish a better connection between the Middle Branch trail and the Inner Harbor.” This connection, which is also part of the Gwynns Falls Trail, would go through Sharp and Stockholm Streets in Stadium Area and Solo Gibbs Park in Sharp-Leadenhall. This effort received a $250,000 federal grant last year.

The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) in partnership with Topgolf and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore owners CBAC will begin renovating a park early next year that is along the Gwynns Falls Trail. The park is behind the casino garage and on the Ridgely’s Cove waterfront.

The Gwynns Falls Trail was also expanded in recent weeks along Key Hwy. adjacent to Rash Field as part of the reconstruction plans for the Key Hwy. and Light St. intersection. This expansion connects to a new Covington Street Cycle Track which travels from the Inner Harbor to Riverside Park.

SBGP, Parks and People Foundation, and the City of Baltimore announced in July that Dutch architecture firm West 8 won the Middle Branch Waterfront Design competition to lead planning for a phased, multi-year design and construction project for the 11-mile-plus park system along the shoreline of the Patapsco River in South Baltimore. West 8’s design competition proposal added a trail system looping around the Middle Branch and into Ridgely’s Cove with new pedestrian bridges and new marshlands adjacent to each shoreline. The plan also converts the Spring Gardens Swing Bridge into a pedestrian bridge.

Screenshot courtesy of Google Maps showing a bike route (not a trail) between the end of the BWI Trail spur in Linthicum Heights and Medstar Harbor Hospital in Cherry Hill where the Gwynns Falls Trail ends. 

Picture from last year of the Gwynns Falls Trail on MedStar Harbor Hospital’s campus

Gwynns Falls Trail adjacent to the Horseshoe Casino Garage. This park space will be renovated next year. 

Photo from last month of the new Covington Street Cycle Track (pre-completion)

Photos of West 8’s display boards in the Middle Branch Waterfront Design competition  (click to enlarge)

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/11/efforts-underway-to-connect-the-bwi-trail-to-the-gwynns-falls-trail/

South Baltimore Crime Updates

From Baltimore Police Department (BPD):

UPDATE

Southwest / Southern District
Arson Investigation

Detectives have arrested and charged two suspects in connection to several recent arsons in Southwest Baltimore.

The first suspect is 37-year old William Ritchie. He was arrested on December 2, 2019, and charged with an arson that occurred in the 1900 block of Ramsey Street.

The second suspect is 41-year old Shawn Krainer. He was arrested on December 7, 2019, and charged with an arson that occurred on December 6, 2019, in the 2400 block of Christian Street.

Since December 2, 2019, there have been 17 fires reported. Five of these fires have been ruled arson and the others remain under investigation. Each fire occurred in a vacant home and there have been no injuries reported.

Detectives are continuing to work to determine if Ritchie and Krainer are responsible for any additional arsons. The investigation remains ongoing.

***The correct age for William Ritchie is 37***

According to the BPD  Crime Map, the following crimes were reported from 11/30/19 – 11/29/19:

Ridgely’s Delight

NONE

Stadium Area

NONE

Barre Circle

NONE

Otterbein

LARCENY- OTHER SUNDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2019 12:53 1XX W LEE ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

STOLEN AUTO TUESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2019 18:40 6XX S CHARLES ST PARKING LOT – INSIDE

Sharp-Leadenhall

NONE

Federal Hill

LARCENY- OTHER SUNDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2019 13:00 10XX S CHARLES ST RESTAURANT/BA

Federal Hill South/Riverside

ROBBERY – STRONG ARM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2019 12:22 11XX COVINGTON ST SCHOOL

LARCENY- FROM AUTO SUNDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2019 09:00 7XX E HEATH ST STREET

LARCENY- FROM AUTO TUESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2019 19:45 11XX RIVERSIDE AVE STREET

South Baltimore Neighborhood

LARCENY- FROM AUTO TUESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2019 21:00 16XX PATAPSCO ST STREET

LARCENY- FROM AUTO TUESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2019 17:20 XX E RANDALL ST STREET

Key Highway/HarborView

NONE

Inner Harbor

LARCENY- OTHER SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019 16:05 2XX E PRATT ST STREET

LARCENY- FROM AUTO SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019 17:00 4XX W PRATT ST RESIDENTIAL PARKING LOT

LARCENY- OTHER SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2019 18:48 6XX E PRATT ST RESTAURANT/BAR

STOLEN AUTO SUNDAY, DECEMBER 01, 2019 22:48 4XX W PRATT ST STREET

Port Covington

NONE

Locust Point

LARCENY- OTHER MONDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2019 15:00 12XX HAUBERT ST Unknown

Pigtown

LARCENY- FROM AUTO MONDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2019 11:00 8XX S PACA ST STREET

Carroll – Camden Industrial Area

NONE

Hollins Market

NONE

Union Square

ROBBERY – STRONG ARM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2019 02:00 17XX W PRATT ST STREET

Offense definitions from the FBI

South Baltimore Peninsula Neighborhoods Map

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/10/south-baltimore-crime-updates-164/

Baltimore Man Found Guilty of Murder of Federal Hill Resident Timothy Moriconi

Yesterday, Deandre Devon Sleet, a 24-year-old Baltimore resident, was found guilty by a jury of murdering 25-year-old Federal Hill resident Timothy Moriconi on September 27, 2018 on the 1200 block of Riverside Ave. Sleet was found guilty of first degree murder, as well as guilty of additional robbery and firearm-related charges.

Sentencing of Sleet is scheduled for March 10, 2020.

Sleet’s attorney told The Baltimore Sun that they will file an appeal.

Moriconi’s family is not making a statement at this time.

In separate open cases for incidents in Fall 2018, Sleet is also charged with armed robbery, possession of a firearm, and attempted first degree murder. Sleet has two co-defendants in several cases.

Sleet was found guilty in May 2013 for armed robbery by the Baltimore City Circuit Court. In the case he was charged with four counts of robbery, four counts of assault, two counts of probation violation, and two charges of theft. He was sentenced to five years with three years suspended.

A 2015 second degree rape case against Sleet was dropped in 2015. In October 2017 he was found guilty on a misdemeanor drug distribution charge in Anne Arundel County. He was sentenced to eight years with all but 18 months suspended.

Moriconi’s parents, Andy and Laurie, shared the following about Moriconi’s life in a Facebook event titled Celebrating the Life of Timothy Moriconi: “Tim comes from a warm loving family and has cast a wide net of friendships between Crozet, Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, and Baltimore, Maryland. Tim was 25 and a graduate of VCU. He worked at Northrop Grumman in Baltimore. Tim loved sports, music and hanging with his friends. He enjoyed working out and loved cars. He had a very good and smart sense of humor. Most people used the same description for Tim … and this is, “He’s such a good kid.” We’ll miss Tim, but keep him in our hearts forever.”

A scholarship has been created in Timothy Moriconi’s name for Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro. The family has also asked for donations to be made the Thread in Memory of Tim Moriconi.

Screenshot from a Baltimore Police Department press conference 

Timothy Moriconi 

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/12/10/baltimore-man-found-guilty-of-murder-of-federal-hill-resident-timothy-moriconi/