1. Cam Newton and Carolina Panthers Play Volleyball at Baltimore Beach
Baltimore Beach Volleyball men’s and women’s two-on-two league players, who take to the courts on Monday nights at Rash Field in the Inner Harbor, experienced a surprise on July 18th. Reigning NFL MVP Cam Newton and some of his Carolina Panthers teammates – including quarterback Joe Webb; wide receivers Damiere Byrd, Avius Capers, Tedd Ginn Jr., Stephen Hill, Tobais Palmer, and Miles Shuler; and, tight ends Braxton Deaver, Scott Simonson, and Beau Sandland – stopped by the popular volleyball destination and participated in a few matches. They returned again the next night.
Not only did this appearance generate a lot of buzz from Baltimore Beach participants and residents around Baltimore, but the story first reported by SouthBMore.com was picked up by BaltimoreRavens.com, CBS Sports, ESPN.com and Sports Center, Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, The Baltimore Sun, The Charlotte Observer, USA Today, and many more media outlets.
2. Under Armour Reveals Plans for New 4 Million Sq. Ft. Port Covington Campus
In January, Under Armour presented the master plan for its new Port Covington campus and global world headquarters. Taking the place of the now-closed Port Covington Shopping Center, Under Armour is proposing a multi-billion dollar, 50-acre campus along a mile of the Patapsco River waterfront with approximately 4 million sq. ft. of campus buildings, 5,000 parking spaces, and room for up to 10,000 employees. In 2016 it converted the former Sam’s Club into a new 170,000 sq. ft. office building and amenity space and has plans for four additional stages of development.
Along with office buildings and parking, the campus will feature a stadium that could hold up 12,000 people, a public waterfront promenade, which includes additional fishing piers, a lake, and a future renovation of Ferry Bar Park. Under Armour is also planning a field house, similar to an athletic complex at many universities. It will feature an indoor practice facility as well as basketball courts and training equipment.
In November, Under Armour went into greater detail about Phase I of the project which will include more than 500,000 sq. ft. of space and a 1,500-space parking garage, which will be expanded to 5,000 spaces in the future. This includes two nine-story office buildings totaling more than 300,000 sq. ft. of space, plus two one-story “plinths” adjacent to the buildings and the parking garage which will have 30 ft. ceiling spaces for studios and innovation. Under Armour will also construct a new visitor center.
The roofs of the plinths will be multi-tiered green parks and plazas that surround the office buildings and garage.
Phase I will begin in 2017.
Renderings courtesy of Under Armour
3. Sagamore Development Unveils Master Plan for Port Covington
One of the biggest stories of 2017 was the revealing of Sagamore Development’s 266-acre Port Covington Master Plan for the redevelopment of the southern tip of the South Baltimore Peninsula. Sagamore’s plans were first revealed in January, followed by many public meeting including 10 presentations to the Baltimore City Planning Department to further detail new districts of Port Covington, parks, transportation upgrades, ecological improvements, and more.
Sagamore’s $5.5 billion plan for Port Covington includes Under Armour’s new campus; 1,500,000 sq. ft. of destination, attraction, entertainment, and specialty retail; 500,000 sq. ft. of “maker” and industrial/light manufacturing space; 200-plus hotel rooms; 1,500,000 sq. ft. of office space (in addition to the Under Armour Global Headquarters); and civic and cultural uses including 40-plus acres of public parks, a public waterfront, and other public facilities. It also includes more than 7,500 residential units, which could total up to 14,000 units comprised of rental and for-sale properties at various price-points. The plan also includes potential sites for a post office, school, library, fire station, police paddock, and cultural center.
Sagamore was approved for $534,795,000 in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) bonds from Baltimore City after much public input and debate, and signing a community benefits agreement with Baltimore City and the six South Baltimore neighborhoods south of the project.
Work is already in process at Port Covington as City Garage is open, as well as Building 37 at Under Armour’s new campus. Sagamore Spirit is currently under construction.
SouthBMore.com detailed every aspect of this plan and the past, present, and future of Port Covington here.
Rendering courtesy of Sagamore Development
4. Federal Hill’s Stalking Horse Changing to Whiskey Hill
Stalking Horse announced in November it would transition to Whiskey Hill with a new first floor featuring more dining spaces and reclaimed wood accents. The new menu has a “southern feel” according to ownership and the bar menu now has an increased focus on bourbon. Few changes were made to the nightlife on the second and third floors at Whiskey Hill.
Photos courtesy of Whiskey Hill’s Facebook page
5. South Baltimore’s Victory House Condemned and Listed for Auction
The Victory House – a 7,074 sq. ft., 39-bedroom, two-bathroom residence at 1702-1708 Light St. – was condemned and shut down by Housing and Community Development (HCD) due to structural issues in May. The property was a source of frustration to the surrounding neighborhoods for many years due to illegal activity in and around the property.
The property is under contract with developer Brandon Chasen who is proposing to raze the building and construct a new 13,000 sq. ft., four-story, 15-unit apartment building with a 10-car parking garage. The plan will require a Baltimore City Council ordinance for variances involving the site’s rear yard setback and the floor area ratio.
6. Suspended Brewing Company Opening a 3,000 Sq. Ft. Brewery on Pigtown Main Street
The team of Josey Schwartz, Yasmin Karimian, Amir Karimian, and Stevo Karolenko announced in September they would be opening a brewery and taproom for Suspended Brewing Company at a 3,000 sq. ft. former church at 912 Washington Blvd. in Pigtown. Suspended will produce progressive beers such as New England-style IPAs, kettle sours, sour mashed beers, beer and mead hybrids, and beer and wine hybrids. The tap room, which will be Suspended’s main focus, will be open daily.
Work has already begun and the team hopes to open as soon as possible.
7. Porter’s Pub to Reopen as The Outpost, Jesse Sandlin from Top Chef to Lead Kitchen
The long-anticipated reopening of the former Porter’s Pub is coming soon as The Outpost American Tavern will open in the space at 1032 Riverside Ave. in Federal Hill. The Outpost is owned by neighborhood resident Chris Frisone and Seung Cho, who previously worked at Cross Street Market. Former Top Chef television show contestant Jesse Sandlin, who has worked at Petit Louis, Oliver’s Speck, and Jokers & Thieves, will lead the kitchen. The team at The Outpost will be advised by the owners of Blue Agave and Don’t Know Tavern.
Frisone called the menu “creative American” with everything from bar food to salads, sandwiches, and entrées. There will be a small permanent menu and many daily specials. The Outpost will pour beer from its 10 draft lines and offer “creative cocktails” along with a full compliment of beer, wine, and liquor offerings.
8. Liam Flynn’s Ale House Owner Opening O’Flynn’s Crab & Cask House in Brooklyn
Liam Flynn, the owner of Liam Flynn’s Ale House in Station North, opened O’Flynn’s Crab & Cask House at 3432 S. Hanover St. in Brooklyn at the former home of O’Brady’s Crab House in April. O’Flynn’s focuses on crabs and seafood, as well as local beers and ales. O’Flynn’s also sells Shorty’s Bootleg BBQ and hosts Irish jam sessions every Tuesday.
Photo courtesy of O’Flynn’s Facebook page
9. Pigtown Tavern Featuring Homestyle Cooking and BBQ Opens This Week
The father and son duo of Bob and Rob Cockey are excited to be back in Southwest Baltimore as they opened Pigtown Tavern in July at 737 Carroll St. in the former home of SHAKERS. The menu at the 3,200 sq. ft. tavern focuses on BBQ and homestyle cooking.
Pigtown Tavern is temporarily closed for repairs.
10. Plans Presented for Anthem House II at Former Rallo’s Parking Lot
Bozzuto, Solstice Partners, and War Horse LLC, the team behind Anthem House, presented plans for Anthem House II in March. Anthem House II is a proposed five-story, 52-unit apartment building in the parking lot of the former Rallo’s diner at 1430 Lawrence St. The property is directly across Lawrence St. from Anthem House, which is currently under construction.
Anthem House II will have 21 parking spaces and tenants will also use the parking garage at Anthem House. Construction is expected to begin early this year.
Rendering courtesy of Bozzuto
via http://southbmore.com/2017/01/03/southbmore-coms-10-most-read-articles-of-2016/
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