South Baltimore Business Roundup

Under Armour Adds Wichita State

Wichita State University, a recent basketball power out of Kansas, has partnered with Under Armour. From an April 17th Wichita State press release:

Wichita State University today announced a new partnership with Under Armour (NYSE: UA, UAA). The Baltimore-based global leader in performance footwear, apparel and equipment will become the official outfitter of Wichita State University beginning July 1, 2017.

As part of the eight-year agreement, Under Armour will provide on-field and training gear for 15 varsity sports. Additionally, Under Armour will outfit members of the athletic department including coaches and staff.

The agreement between the university and brand will include baseball, women’s basketball and golf in 2017-18, men’s basketball and cross country/track in 2018-19 men’s and women’s tennis in 2019-20 and volleyball and softball in 2020-21.

Also from the release:

Wichita State University joins the growing Under Armour roster of NCAA partners that includes UCLA, University of California, Berkeley, University of Wisconsin, University of Notre Dame, Naval Academy Athletic Association, University of Maryland, Texas Tech University, Northwestern University, University of Cincinnati, Boston College, University of Utah, University of South Carolina and Auburn University.

Photo Courtesy of Wichita State University

New Bar at Bookmakers 

Federal Hill’s Bookmakers is opening a second-story cocktail bar called Grey Ghost. From Baltimore Business Journal:

The bar, called Grey Ghost, is named after famed thoroughbred Native Dancer’s nickname.

Ben Circelli, general manager at Bookmakers, said they have always had the upstairs and used it for big events when needed, but decided it was time to make use of the roughly 1,100 square feet. Bookmakers debuted in 2014.

The new bar is expected to launch by the end of April.

Also from the article:

Grey Ghost will have a different look and vibe than Bookmakers. The space will only be open on Fridays and Saturdays with normal dinner service from 5-9 p.m. Afterwards, the space will have its own unique drink menu.

Muir’s Tavern Block Party for Thomas Johnson 

Muir’s Tavern at 36 E. Fort Ave. is hosting its annual block party on May 13th from 1pm to 7pm. The proceeds will go to Thomas Johnson Elementary Middle School. Tickets cost $20 and include a t-shirt. The party will feature a live band, DJ, food, drinks, and raffles.

Baltimore Makes Lists 

It’s been an up-and-down month for Baltimore when it comes to internet lists.  Baltimore was rated as Travel + Leisure’s Least Attractive City survey in 2016. From the article:

Readers love Baltimore for its revitalized inner harbor, and its beautiful historic sites—such as the Beaux Arts Pennsylvania Station, one of 65,000 local buildings on the National Historic Register. But while the city itself is photogenic to the core, Americans think its citizens are less so. Baltimore has slipped down the list from its No. 4 spot, and now has the sad honor of being America’s least attractive city in this year’s survey. Residents shouldn’t take the news badly, though. They’re passionate enough about their hometown sports teams to minimize any potential hurt feelings.

But, Travel + Leisure did rate the George Peabody Library at Johns Hopkins University as one of the Most Beautiful College Libraries in America.

Baltimore was also named one of Conde Nast Traveler’s 6 U.S. Cities to Watch in 2017. From the article:

To know Baltimore is to venture beyond its overcrowded, often underwhelming Inner Harbor area. Head east of the tourist traps, and you’ll find Fell’s Point, a quaint, sett-stone neighborhood dating back to the 1760s. Its imposing Recreation Pier building, once an early 20th-century destination for social events, has been converted into the stately, 128-room Sagamore Pendry Baltimore, the lovechild of Under Armour founder (and Maryland native) Kevin Plank and Montage International—here, you’ll find rooms lined with warm wooden millwork and the odd leather settee, plus water views. Throw in the hotel’s Rec Pier Chop House, helmed by chef Andrew Carmellini, where you and a friend can tuck into a 28-day dry-aged Porterhouse, and you’ve got your evening cut out for you. Plus, Baltimore’s bike share program launched last October, making it all too easy to find yourself in the city’s Little Italy, where a plate of pasta at Café Gia and a fresh cannoli from Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop are just within reach. Looking for a day trip? Try the Guinness Brewery, which will open in the nearby town of Relay come October.

ProjectSpace Comes to Federal Hill

From a Parking Authority of Baltimore City (PABC) press release:

Mayor Catherine E. Pugh and the Parking Authority of Baltimore City (PABC), in partnership with the Mayor’s Office on Disabilities, announced today that Phase 3 of ProjectSPACE, the parking program aimed at combatting the abuse of disability placards, creating reserved, accessible on-street parking for people with disabilities, and making more available parking for everyone, will launch in Federal Hill on April 17, 2017. As in Phases 1 and 2, the third phase will require all people parking on-street to pay the parking meter, including vehicles displaying disability placards or tags.

“I’m excited that people with disabilities will soon have the accessible parking spaces they need to be able to enjoy Federal Hill,” said Mayor Pugh.

As part of ProjectSPACE, Phase 3 reserves 24 on-street parking spaces for vehicles displaying disability placards or tags. Each space will be equipped with a single-space parking meter that meets the newest Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. Additionally, the card readers and coin drops of 57 multi-space EZ Park meters throughout Federal Hill will be lowered to meet the most-current ADA standards. The meters will provide people with disabilities equal access to on-street metered parking. Meters that meet the ADA standards are marked with the universal accessibility logo. Payment will be required after April 17 at all accessible meters. The cost to park will be the same for everyone, including those using a disability placard or tags. As in previously launched Phases 1 and 2, all time limits for on-street parking spaces within the area will increase to four hours to give people with disabilities additional time to get to and from their destination.

ProjectSPACE is part of an ongoing, long-term solution to a major parking problem in Baltimore City. Current policy in all areas of the city except for the Central Business District (Phase 1) and the Fells Point and Harbor East neighborhoods (Phase 2) allows individuals displaying a disability placard or license plates to park on-street at meters free of charge. This often results in illegal use by motorists parking for long periods of time and thefts of disability placards. Disability placards were the number one item stolen out of motor vehicles before ProjectSPACE Phase 1. By removing the financial incentive to park on-street free of charge in Federal Hill, PABC anticipates increased parking turnover similar to the effect Phases 1 and 2 have had on parking in the Central Business District, Fells Point and Harbor East neighborhoods. Ultimately, ProjectSPACE makes it easier for everyone to find an available parking space in Baltimore City.

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via http://southbmore.com/2017/04/28/south-baltimore-business-roundup-132/