Robin Godwin: January 2019

Councilman Eric Costello announced this week that a new traffic signal will be coming to the intersection of S. Hanover St. and W. Henrietta St. The intersection sits at the cross-section of neighborhoods Otterbein, Sharp-Leadenhall, and Federal Hill. It is adjacent to Firestone Complete Auto Care’s busy parking lot.

The new traffic signal is expected to be completed by Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT) by this November. The design is slated to be completed by the end of April.

On Facebook, Councilman Costello said: “This intersection has been plagued by vehicular accidents over the years and after failed attempts at traffic calming, I remain convinced that the only viable solution is installation of a traffic signal.”

Councilman Costello said he received extensive feedback from residents of the three neighborhoods.

In a letter to DOT Director Michelle Pourciau, Councilman Costello said: “Specifically there have been dozens of vehicular accidents that have occurred at this intersection over the past four years. This is caused by a variety of issues, including but not limited to: 1) speed of vehicular traffic on S Hanover St; 2) traffic signal timing and proximity of intersection of W Hamburg St and S Hanover St as well as W Montgomery St and S Hanover St; 3) W Henrietta St access to W Conway St, I-395, and I-95; 4) an auto report facility at the SE corner of the intersection with a challenging parking/loading situation; and 5) consistent illegal parking in “daylight” areas in close proximity to the intersection.”

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/31/new-traffic-signal-coming-to-s-hanover-street-and-w-henrietta-street/

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Federal Hill Business Owner Chris Riehl Releases ‘Baltimore!’ Song and Music Video

Baltimore Rent A Tour owner Chris Riehl decided to celebrate his 40th birthday last Thursday by releasing his song and music video ‘Baltimore!’ Riehl wants his song to be a positive message and a source of pride for Baltimore, which he calls “the greatest city in the world.”

Riehl, who was born and raised inside the beltway, spends his days entertaining guests as part of his Federal Hill-based tour company. Riehl takes visitors to Baltimore on tours around the city giving them history lessons on Babe Ruth, the Star-Spangled Banner, museums and attractions, architecture, and diverse neighborhoods that celebrate different cultures from around the world.

“The comment that I get from our tour groups the most is ‘I had no idea there is so much cool stuff in Baltimore,'” said Riehl.

He also takes visitors to Baltimore on day trips to Annapolis and Washington, D.C.

The music video has been 16 years in the making. Riehl wrote the song in 2003, soon after graduating from college. He partnered with his friend and piano player Colin Lippy soon after writing the lyrics to arrange the song for a jazz quartet and to record it.

Riehl has always been a fan of jazz/swing standard singers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bobby Darin, who are all typically his selections when he grabs the microphone on karaoke night. Riehl’s vocals in ‘Baltimore!’ are styled in that genre.

The song got some plays after it was recorded, but Riehl and Lippy did not do a lot more with it at the time.

In the last few years, Riehl decided he wanted to make a music video for his song, knowing the impact of video on social media and YouTube.

Riehl hired a production company to help produce the video in 2016 but wasn’t entirely satisfied with the final result and decided to shelve it again. With his 40th birthday in January approaching, Riehl decided it was time to finish this project. He hired videographer Josh Brayden to get the music video completed.

Riehl was also approached by Tommy Barrick, a drummer, about rerecording the song with a big band arrangement to which Riehl agreed. The song now has piano, drums, guitar, bass, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and Riehl’s vocals.

‘Baltimore!’ mentions the Patapsco, “Oh say can you see” from the Star-Spangled Banner, the cobblestones in a reference to Fells Point streets, Fells Point, Federal Hill, Baltimore Street, Natty Boh, “welcome to Baltimore hon,” and repeated chants of “Baltimore.”

The music video takes places in Federal Hill’s Illusions Magic Bar and a recording studio. Riehl also takes his wife Jen Riehl out for a dance in the cobblestone streets of Fells Point.

There are plenty of other shots in the video of Federal Hill and South Baltimore including the rowhouses, O’s and Ravens fans on S. Charles St., Tiki Barge, Fort McHenry, Domino Sugar, the Inner Harbor, American Visionary Art Museum, and scenic shots from a boat ride through the harbor.

The video has been shared many times and garnered about 14,000 views between Facebook and Youtube. It can also be downloaded on iTunes.

Riehl’s ultimate goal for the song is for people to associate it with Baltimore, just like New Yorkers to Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York. But, in the meantime Riehl hopes the song spreads a positive message and hopes he and his crew will get gigs to perform the song live, along with new songs in the works and jazz standards.

Riehl would also love to see the song licensed with a company like Visit Baltimore or another organization that thinks the song can be a positive message.

Riehl is additionally hoping to parlay the attention of “Baltimore!” into his upcoming Baltimorientation video series which will tell stories about attractions and historical sites in Baltimore. He’s also thinking about launching a Baltimoientation podcast.

“A big issue we have is the narrative in Baltimore,” said Riehl. “By talking about the positive things, we are not diminishing the challenges. Hopefully with a positive story to tell, more people can buy into Baltimore’s potential.”

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/30/federal-hill-business-owner-chris-riehl-releases-baltimore-song-and-music-video/

South Baltimore USPS Post Office Moving on February 4th

First announced in May 2016, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will be moving its South Baltimore post office less than two blocks from 1220 Race St. to 1200 S. Hanover St. on February 4th. The new post office will be at a 1,200 sq. ft. space that was previously the home of Papa John’s, which relocated to a smaller space within the same retail building.

USPS’s soon-to-be former site was acquired by developer Caves Valley Partners (CVP) in 2014 as part of its three-block, $275-million Stadium Square development. The one-story building and parking lot will be demolished to make way for a new six-story, 67,000 sq. ft. office building with ground floor retail, and a five-story, approximately 315-unit apartment building on that block. The block was also previously the home of several other businesses that already relocated from their former buildings, which have now been demolished.

USPS’s new retail building is also owned by CVP. It has a small customer parking lot behind the building that has an entrance on W. West St.

“We are pleased that our team was able to build the USPS a new, right-sized facility for their South Baltimore post office, and that it is within a short walk of the current facility and includes parking,” said CVP Partner Arsh Mirmiran in a statement. “We look forward to the redevelopment of their former facility and to continuing the progress that has been made at Stadium Square.”

Mirmiran said the USPS facility at Stadium Square will be demolished in the next 60 days pending getting services cut and a demolition permit.

The goal for the two new proposed buildings on that block is to break ground this year. Both buildings will go to final Baltimore City Planning Department’s Urban Design and Architecture Advisory Panel (UDAAP) review in February.

CVP is negotiating with an “anchor” tenant for the office building and has a “handshake agreement” with a restaurateur who will take the entire first-floor retail space at the office building.

Read SouthBMore.com’s articles detailing the Stadium Square development here.

The new location

The soon-to-be-former location

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/30/south-baltimore-usps-post-office-moving-on-february-4th/

Baltimore Museum of Industry is Opening Sparrows Point Exhibit, Restoring Bethlehem Steel Crane

Baltimore Museum of Industry and Tradepoint Atlantic Release:

Tradepoint Atlantic, a 3,250-acre multimodal global logistics center, and former home of Bethlehem Sparrows Point Steel mill in Baltimore, Maryland featuring an unmatched combination of access to deep-water berths, railroads, highways and storage space, announced today a partnership with the Baltimore Museum of Industry (“BMI”) to honor and preserve their shared industrial heritage.

The partnership, which includes a significant investment made by Tradepoint Atlantic in the BMI, will include a multi-year community engagement and preservation initiative leading to the creation of a long-term exhibit slated to open at the museum in 2021. The exhibition will be dedicated to the legacy of Sparrows Point and its 125-year history of steelmaking as the site of Bethlehem Steel – a vital catalyst for Baltimore’s industrial transformation.

The iconic Bethlehem Steel shipyard crane that was once used to build Liberty ships during World War II and that adorns the BMI’s campus, will be restored and painted in 2019. At the same time, the BMI and Tradepoint Atlantic will commence work with members of the Sparrows Point community to identify previously untapped cultural resources for the exhibit through the collection of images, documents, artifacts and interviews.

“As we work on transforming Sparrows Point into a new center for global commerce, we are ever mindful that we are also the stewards of a rich American legacy that spans generations of Maryland families,” said Aaron Tomarchio, Sr. Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Tradepoint Atlantic. “We are proud to partner with the Baltimore Museum of Industry to fulfill our commitment to honoring the legacy of the men and women who worked at Sparrows Point – and we are eager to facilitate the telling, sharing and preserving of these iconic American stories for future generations.”

“The museum has long recognized the need to tell the story of Baltimore steelworkers and help carry their legacy forward. This partnership with Tradepoint Atlantic will allow us to do that in a very meaningful way. We look forward to working with the communities of Sparrows Point to help tell this remarkable account of hard work and innovation,” said Anita Kassof, the BMI’s Executive Director. Intensive community outreach and programs will take place at BMI, Tradepoint Atlantic, and other locations, to usher along the development of the Bethlehem Steel collection and the exhibition.

The exhibition will be installed in the BMI’s Decker Gallery, where it will be seen by the tens of thousands of adults and schoolchildren who visit the museum each year.

The public is invited to attend the Tradepoint Atlantic Open House on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 from 6-8pm to learn more about the Baltimore Museum of Industry and meet museum staff involved with the preservation initiative.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/30/baltimore-museum-of-industry-is-opening-sparrows-point-exhibit-restoring-bethlehem-steel-crane/

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

South Baltimore Crime Updates

According to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) Crime Map, the following crimes were reported from 1/19/19-1/25/19:

Ridgely’s Delight

BURGLARY (FORCE) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2019 23:44 7XX W PRATT ST OTHER-INSIDE

STOLEN VEH./OTHER SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2019 09:55 3XX S FREMONT AVE STREET

Stadium Area

NONE

Barre Circle

NONE

Otterbein

ROBBERY – FIREARM MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019 06:40 7XX S HANOVER ST STREET

From Councilman Eric Costello regarding a Monday robbery in Otterbein and additional incidents:

Update on Otterbein armed robbery at 6:40am on 600 block of S Sharp St from Baltimore Police Department is below (note this update is official and contains minor updates to the post I made earlier today). Please note that I do not have any other information available at this time, as info becomes available, I will post an update.

Detectives from the Citywide Robbery Unit are investigating three robberies that occurred on January 21, 2019. The first incident took place at 5:50am in the 1800 block of N. Wolfe Street. The second incident took place at 6:20am in the 600 block of E. Monument Street. The third incident took place at 6:40am in the 600 block of S. Sharp Street. In each of these robberies, the suspects were seen driving a Chevrolet Equinox with a New York State license plate.

After the third robbery occurred, the Chevrolet Equinox was stopped by officers in Northwest Baltimore. Officers found four suspects inside of the vehicle. Two of the suspects are 16-year old males and the other two suspects are 15-year old males. The vehicle had been previously reported stolen in Baltimore City.

Investigators are working to determine if these suspects are responsible for any additional violence in the community. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives from the Citywide Robbery Unit at 410-366-6341. Callers can always remain anonymous.

Sharp-Leadenhall

BURGLARY (FORCE) THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019 09:00 1XX W ROPEWALK LN ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

LARCENY- OTHER FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 05:15 10XX LEADENHALL ST STREET

LARCENY- FROM AUTO THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019 21:00 12XX S HANOVER ST OTHER-OUTSIDE

Federal Hill

AGG. ASSLT.- OTH. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2019 03:45 10XX LIGHT ST STREET

LARCENY- FROM AUTO WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2019 21:00 XX E WHEELING ST

LARCENY- OTHER THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019 21:30 XX E CROSS ST STREET

LARCENY- OTHER THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019 13:01 XX E WHEELING ST ALLEY

Federal Hill South/Riverside

LARCENY- FROM AUTO SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019 16:00 14XX RIVERSIDE AVE Unknown

LARCENY- OTHER SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019 21:00 8XX E FORT AVE CHAIN FOOD STORE

LARCENY- FROM AUTO THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019 20:10 15XX HALL ALY Unknown

LARCENY- FROM AUTO SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2019 23:00 11XX LIGHT ST STREET

South Baltimore Neighborhood

ROBBERY – OTHER WEAPON SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2019 21:17 XX E BARNEY ST STREET

From Councilman Costello regarding a shooting during an attempted carjacking in South Baltimore:

Shooting during attempted carjacking at approximately 9:20 p.m., at the corner of Patapsco St and E Barney St. Victim was shot in leg, is talking to BPD now, and is in stable condition. I will post when more info is available.

ROBBERY – FIREARM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2019 16:20 14XX OLIVE ST STREET

From Councilman Eric Costello:

Armed robbery in South Baltimore on the 1300 block of Olive St at approximately 4:20pm today, by three teenage males. Baltimore Police Department- Southern District currently has 2 overtime deployments on the South Baltimore Peninsula in response to recent crime trends. Baltimore Police Department is actively searching for the three suspects. This is all the info available at this time, will post when there are updates.

BURGLARY (FORCE) SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2019 16:10 18XX S CHARLES ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

LARCENY- FROM AUTO TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019 09:00 18XX S HANOVER ST RESIDENTIAL PARKING LOT

Key Highway/HarborView

NONE

Inner Harbor

ROBBERY – STRONG ARM TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019 09:15 6XX E PRATT ST PARKS

ROBBERY – STRONG ARM TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019 15:05 2XX E PRATT ST STREET

LARCENY- OTHER SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019 10:30 XX W PRATT ST RETAIL/SMALL BUSINESS

LARCENY- OTHER SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019 17:34 6XX E PRATT ST DEPT. STORE

LARCENY- OTHER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2019 14:51 4XX E PRATT ST DRUGSTORE/MEDICAL BLDG

LARCENY- OTHER THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019 15:00 6XX E PRATT ST SPECIALTY STORE

LARCENY- OTHER TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019 13:00 1XX INTERNATIONAL DR RETAIL/SMALL BUSINESS

Port Covington

NONE

Locust Point

NONE

Pigtown

AGG. ASSLT.- GUN SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019 22:26 11XX BAYARD ST STREET

From BPD:

Southern District Shooting Investigation

On January 20, 2019 at approximately 10:27 p.m., Southern District patrol officers responded to the 1100 block of Bayard Street for a report of a shooting.

Once at the location, officers located a 22 year-old male suffering from gunshot wounds to the face and hand and a 21 year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Both victims were transported to area hospitals for treatment.

Preliminary investigation revealed that both victims were exiting a bar in the 1100 block of Bayard Street when they were shot by an unidentified suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at 410-396-2221 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7lockup.

BURGLARY (FORCE) FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 14:00 5XX WYETH ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

BURGLARY (ATT. FORCE) TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019 17:56 6XX WYETH ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

LARCENY- FROM AUTO TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019 16:00 6XX ARCHER ST STREET

LARCENY- OTHER SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2019 16:00 11XX SARGEANT ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUS

LARCENY- FROM AUTO MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019 20:45 8XX WASHINGTON BLVD STREET

STOLEN AUTO MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019 17:30 8XX S PACA ST STREET

Carroll – Camden Industrial Area

ROBBERY – STRONG ARM SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 2019 07:02 18XX RUSSELL ST GAS STATION

AGG. ASSLT.- GUN FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 06:30 14XX BUSH ST STREET

STOLEN AUTO MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019 22:00 7XX W OSTEND ST Unknown

Hollins Market

AGG. ASSLT.- CUT THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019 16:13 11XX W PRATT ST APT/CONDOMINIUM

AGG. ASSLT.- GUN TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019 13:00 10XX W LOMBARD ST STREET

BURGLARY (FORCE) WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2019 08:00 8XX W LOMBARD ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

LARCENY- FROM AUTO MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019 20:30 11XX HOLLINS ST RESIDENTIAL PARKING LOT

Union Square

ROBBERY – STRONG ARM MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019 23:50 13XX W PRATT ST STREET

LARCENY- FROM AUTO MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019 16:40 16XX W LOMBARD ST STREET

LARCENY- FROM AUTO MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019 17:00 13XX HOLLINS ST RESIDENTIAL PARKING LOT

Offense definitions from the FBI

South Baltimore Peninsula Neighborhoods Map

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/29/south-baltimore-crime-updates-119/

Monday, January 28, 2019

Taiwanese Tea Shop ‘Chatime’ Coming to Federal Hill

Taiwanese tea, smoothie, and juice shop Chatime, which has more than 1,000 locations in Asia and around the world, will be opening the company’s second Maryland location at 1114 Light St. in Federal Hill. The first-floor storefront, which was the former longtime home of Morstein’s Jewelers, has been under renovation in recent months as it was being marketed for a new tenant.

The franchise owner of Chatime Federal Hill is Baltimore County resident Dane Ilagen. She grew up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and went to college in her family’s home country of the Philippines. While in the Philippines, Ilagen developed a love for Chatime and she was thrilled when a location popped up at The Avenue at White Marsh. Ilagen moved to the United States in 2013, taking a nursing position at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Ilagen decided she wanted to open her own franchise and began looking at other locations in Harford County, Canton, Fells Point, and Locust Point before deciding on the Federal Hill location. She said she loves Federal Hill and was very excited this space was available.

Construction is getting underway on the space and Ilagen hopes to open the shop in April. It will have an order counter, a bar looking out onto Light St., and table seating.

As cha translates to tea in Mandarin, Chatime means teatime. Chatime offers an extensive menu of beverages including milk teas; Oriental pop tea which are sparkling drinks; fresh fruit smoothies and slushies; mousses which have a thicker latte-type foam; fruit teas; QQ teas which have double toppings; fresh teas; and homemade juices. Unlike the White Marsh location, Chatime Federal Hill will offer a coffee menu as well.

The menu is a variety of hot and cold beverages. Types of teas include green tea, black tea, oolong tea, and matcha. Fresh fruits in drinks include mango, strawberry, lemon, banana, grapefruit, peach, pomegranate, guava, winter melon, and apple.

Chatime offers different pearls for the drinks, often referred to bubble tea. These include the traditional black tapioca pearls, grass jelly pearls, pudding pearls, coconut pearls, red bean pearls, rainbow jelly pearls, coffee jelly pearls, white pearls, mango pearls, and oreo crumbs.

Ilagen said drinks will be about $4.

Ilagen said Chatime offers drinks for those looking for a morning caffeine burst, a refreshing drinks, to feel better, and/or for dessert. She said many of the drinks offer anti-inflammatory properties and are rich in antioxidants. With Knockout Fitness right next door, Ilagen is going to look into adding drinks with a protein boost.

With a large menu that is likely a new experience to many customers, Ilagen said she will offer many samples and will then help customers out by asking what type of flavors they are into whether that be fruity, sweet, chocolate, or bitter. She recommends figuring out your favorite drinks before adding toppings.

Ilagen is considering adding food, including bao sandwiches, in the future.

Chatime Federal Hill will likely be open 10am to 9pm on Sunday to Thursday and 10am to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Ilagen said she may expand her hours in the morning if Chatime is popular with the morning coffee crowd.

Chatime will have about six employees and Ilagen plans to continue working at Johns Hopkins while she runs the new tea shop.

Ilagen noted Chatime White Marsh has attracted a very international crowd of individuals who are familiar with the shop from their home countries. She’s hoping Chatime Federal Hill will be popular with the locals, but will also be a draw with international residents including those who work and study at Johns Hopkins.

Ilagen is excited to finally make her own Chatime franchise a reality. She was hoping to open a business more than a year ago, but was delayed due to the passing of her mother. She will spend the next few months overseeing construction and training her staff, and hopes those interested in Chatime will head up to the White Marsh location to get familiar with the concept.

Photo below courtesy of Chatime White Marsh

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/28/taiwanese-tea-shop-chatime-coming-to-federal-hill/

Friday, January 25, 2019

South Baltimore Weekend Open Houses

Here is a rundown of the open houses this weekend in South Baltimore. Buy a house, stay a while!

1231 Hull Street
Locust Point
Price: $429,900
1,938 sq. ft.
3 BD/3.5 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Saturday from 12pm-2pm

100 HarborView Drive #1010
HarborView – Federal Hill
Price: $559,000
2,164 sq. ft.
3 BD/2.5 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Saturday from 12pm-2pm

1103 Sterrett Street
Pigtown
Price: $129,000
816 sq. ft.
2 BD/1 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Saturday from 12pm-2pm

100 HarborView Drive #505
HarborView – Federal Hill
Price: $162,500
856 sq. ft.
1 BD/1 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Saturday from 12pm-2pm

137 East Fort Avenue
Federal Hill
Price: $369,900
N/A sq. ft.
3 BD/2.5 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Saturday from 12pm-2pm

3 East Barney Street
South Baltimore
Price: $296,900
1,499 sq. ft.
2 BD/2.5 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Saturday from 1230pm-230pm

100 HarborView Drive #903
HarborView – Federal Hill
Price: $349,000
1,234 sq. ft.
2 BD/2 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Saturday from 1pm-3pm

1326 Richardson Street
Locust Point
Price: $455,000
2,430 sq. ft.
3 BD/3.5 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Saturday from 1pm-3pm

226 East Montgomery Street
Federal Hill
Price: $799,000
2,110 sq. ft.
4 BD/2.5 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Saturday from 1pm-3pm

1105 West Hamburg Street
Pigtown
Price: $174,900
1,008 sq. ft.
3 BD/2 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Saturday from 1pm-3pm

214 East Barney Street
Riverside
Price: $345,000
1,613 sq. ft.
3 BD/2 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Saturday from 1pm-3pm

1432 Battery Avenue
Federal Hill
Price: $424,900
1,692 sq. ft.
3 BD/3 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Saturday from 3pm-430pm

1422 Covington Street
Federal Hill
Price: $289,000
1,420 sq. ft.
3 BD/2 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Sunday from 10am-12pm

1516 Stack Street
Riverside
Price: $499,900
2,090 sq. ft.
4 BD/2.5 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Sunday from 11am-1pm

721 Harvey Street
Federal Hill
Price: $279,900
1,590 sq. ft.
2 BD/2.5 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Sunday from 11am-1pm

414 Sanders Street
Federal Hill
Price: $239,900
912 sq. ft.
2 BD/1 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Sunday from 11am-1pm

4 East Henrietta Street
Federal Hill
Price: $314,900
812 sq. ft.
3 BD/2BA
Off Street Parking: No

Sunday from 11am-1pm

14 West Fort Avenue
Federal Hill
Price: $275,000
1,490 sq. ft.
2 BD/2.5 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Sunday from 11am-1pm

23 Pierside Drive #113
HarborView – Federal Hill
Price: $189,000
700 sq. ft.
1 BD/1 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Sunday from 11am-1pm

1423 Henry Street
Federal Hill
Price: $315,000
N/A sq. ft.
2 BD/2 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Sunday from 12pm-2pm

1620 East Clement Street
Locust Point
Price: $379,900
1,676 sq. ft.
3 BD/2.5 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Sunday from 12pm-2pm

1423 Covington Street
Federal Hill
Price: $414,900
1,920 sq. ft.
3 BD/2.5 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Sunday from 12pm-2pm

116 West Hamburg Street
Sharp-Leadenhall
Price: $444,000
2,000 sq. ft.
3 BD/3.5 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Sunday from 12pm-2pm

1604 South Hanover Street
South Baltimore
Price: $239000
996 sq. ft.
2 BD/1 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Sunday from 12pm-2pm

113 West Hughes Street
Otterbein
Price: $649,000
2,781 sq. ft.
3 BD/2.5 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Sunday from 12pm-230pm

300 East Randall Street
Riverside
Price: $600,000
2,338 sq. ft.
3 BD/3.5 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Sunday from 1pm-3pm

1146 Hull Street
Locust Point
Price: $368,800
1,088 sq. ft.
2 BD/2 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Sunday from 1pm-3pm

112 East West Street #301
Federal Hill
Price: $415,000
2,046 sq. ft.
2 BD/2 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Sunday from 1pm-3pm

501 East Fort Avenue
Federal Hill
Price: $317,000
1,768 sq. ft.
3 BD/2.5 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Sunday from 1pm-3pm

52 West West Street
Sharp-Leadenhall
Price: $299,900
1,420 sq. ft.
3 BD/2.5 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Sunday from 1pm-3pm

1031 South Hanover Street
Federal Hill
Price: $299,000
1,316 sq. ft.
3 BD/1.5 BA
Off Street Parking: No

Sunday from 1pm-3pm

537 East Fort Avenue
Federal Hill
Price: $259,900
1,246 sq. ft.
2 BD/1 BA
Off Street Parking: Yes

Sunday from 130pm-330pm

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/25/south-baltimore-weekend-open-houses-192/

Deadline Soon Approaching for Riverside Residential Parking Permit Petitions

The Riverside Neighborhood Association (RNA) is launching a pilot program for its new Residential Permit Parking (RPP) from the Parking Authority of Baltimore City (PABC). A petition drive has been underway in recent months to sign up blocks in the pilot area of Fort Ave. to Randall St. (south to north) and Light St. to Battery Ave. (east to west) to launch the program. The deadline for those petitions is Friday, February 1st.

Each block in RPP must have 60% of the residents sign a petition and RNA volunteers are currently canvassing to petition residents in the pilot area. Once the pilot program is launched, all blocks within RNA will become eligible to petition into the newly-formed Area 48 RPP.

RNA Parking Chairman Jeffrey Brown said good progress has been made on some blocks, but not others. He said, “the main challenge for the RNA volunteers has been getting residents to open their doors, which is not surprising given the time of year and the weather. Among those residents that volunteers have been able to reach the response has been very positive.”

He noted that because of the neighborhood’s proximity to the stadiums, city code does not require that block faces (one side of a block, odd or even side) be unanimous in adopting RPP, or that RPP blocks be contiguous. Brown is hoping individual blocks or sides of blocks do not become “orphaned” so RNA is stepping up its efforts in the coming days.

RNA is hosting a petition signing event tomorrow at The Garden Restaurant at 1501 Light St. from 9am to 11am. John Pare and Erin Chrest will be collecting signatures.

RNA is also inviting those interested in signing to attend the community meeting this coming Monday from 7pm to 8pm at Salem Lutheran Church at 1530 Battery Ave.

Brown provided the following rundown of blocks in the pilot program, as well as the points of contact:

Please note that only those residing (owner or renters) the RPP pilot area (block faces listed below) are eligible to sign, one per household.

Volunteers (Contact them to sign):
100 & 200 East Randall St – Jeff Brown (410) 402-4522
100 @ 200 East Fort Ave (odd side only) Karen Bovie 410-230-0199
1500 Light Street – Erin Chrest (443) 301-8092
1500 Byrd Street – Mary Wargo (603) 860-5919
1500 William Street – John Pare (410) 917-1965
1500 Battery Avenue (odd side only) – Jen McLaughlin (410) 271-6939

Blocks over 60% Threshold
107-121 E. Fort Ave (Even)
204-211 E. Fort Ave (Even)*
213-221 East Fort Avenue (odd)*
102-114 East Randall Street (even)
103-163 East Randall Street (odd)*
200 East Randall Street (even)
1500 William Street (even)
1500 William Street (odd)
*These block are just barely over 60%, more signatures would help with verification

Blocks Under 60%
123-137 East Fort Avenue (odd)
116-136 East Randall Street (even)
1500 Byrd Street (even)
1500 Byrd Street (odd)
1500 Battery Avenue (odd)

Waiting for Report, See RNA Connect Facebook group for updates
1500 Light Street (even)
1500 Light Street (odd)

Given that many of the pilot blocks are close to or above the 60% approval level required by the City (pending signature verification), RNA anticipates that at least part of the pilot area will go forward and become new RPP Area #48.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/25/deadline-soon-approaching-for-riverside-residential-parking-permit-petitions/

Encantada Closes at American Visionary Art Museum, New Café to be Announced Soon

Vegetable-centric restaurant Encantada has closed after three and a half years at American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM). AVAM announced the closure yesterday.

Encantada was owned by Baltimore-based couple Robbin and Tanya Haas, who still own two Birotecca locations. They also formerly owned Nickel Taphouse.

“AVAM’s third floor restaurant space was always conceived as an extension of the spirit and visual delights found throughout our museum — literally a place to sit with people you love and ‘digest’ your visitor experience and to have fun immersed in deliciousness,” said AVAM Founder and Director Rebecca Hoffberger in a statement. “We dedicated our cafe to our beloved Baltimore farmer/master whirligig maker Vollis Simpson and his wife Jean — a perfect place to sit, drink, and watch it dance in the wind. We look forward to continue to offer our visitors of all ages a joyful eating experience, to be announced soon. We wish every renewed good health and future success to brilliant restaurant visionary Robbin Haas, along with his wife Tanya.”

Plans for a new operator for the museum’s third-floor café space are in development and will be publicly announced in the next few weeks.

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/25/encantada-closes-at-american-visionary-art-museum-new-cafe-to-be-announced-soon/

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Mid-Week Listing: New-Construction Townhome with a Garage Near Stadium Square

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

This three-bedroom, new-construction townhome near Stadium Square features wood floors throughout; steel railings; high-end bathrooms; a luxury kitchen with a breakfast bar; three outdoor spaces including a back patio, deck off the kitchen, and rooftop deck; and a one-car garage.

101 West Ropewalk
Federal Hill/Sharp-Leadenhall
Price: $409,900
Tax: $9,500
3 BD/3 BA
1,650 sq. ft.
Off Street Parking: Yes

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/23/mid-week-listing-new-construction-townhome-with-a-garage-near-stadium-square/

A Bakery, Craft Beer Station, Poké Restaurant, and Taco Grill Coming to Cross Street Market

Today, Cross Street Market developer Caves Valley Partners (CVP) and leasing team CANAdev announced four new vendors for the under-construction and currently-closed Federal Hill market. Phase One of the redeveloped, 31,800 sq. ft. Cross Street Market is expected to open in March.

The four new vendors are Annoula’s Kitchen, a bakery from Anna Leventis, owner of SoBo Market and SoBo Café; Cans Filling Station, a craft beer concept from Will Glass of Taps Fill Station which has locations at Mt. Vernon Marketplace and The Bourse in Philadelphia; Ono Poké, a poké and Hawaiian-style restaurant that has a location Downtown; and Taco Love Grill, a family-run taqueria based in White Marsh.

Annoula’s Kitchen will be a scratch bakery, featuring retail breads and pastries. It will also offer a modern Mediterranean menu of artisan sandwiches and seasonal soups and salads. Expanding on Leventis’ handcrafted foods, Annoula’s will additionally have gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan items.

Cans Filling Station will feature a wide selection of craft beers, including many beers typically not available locally. Cans Filling Station will also offer one-liter reusable aluminum cans.

Ono Poké is “committed to quality, from specializing in the freshest sashimi-grade fish to making the smallest environmental impact possible (e.g. they provide their diners with only compostable, biodegradable and recyclable materials.)” It got its start in 2017 serving “authentic surfer sashimi and ono grindz” in its Downtown location.

Taco Love Grill is a “passion project” from husband-and-wife team Gelmin and Jimena Portillo, who have traveled extensively to explore Mexican cuisine and culture. The authentic taqueria features fresh ingredients, meats cooked to order, and house-made tortillas.

Cross Street Market has now announced 12 businesses and “detailed and ongoing negotiations” with other businesses and area entrepreneurs are expected to yield an additional six leases, according to CANAdev. This would leave four available spaces for potential vendors. Additional vendor commitments, along with a firm re-opening day for the first phase of Cross Street Market, will be announced this winter.

CVP Partner Arsh Mirmiran has told SouthBMore.com that a new seafood concept to replace Nick’s Inner Harbor Seafood’s approximately 5,000 sq. ft. space should sign a letter of intent any day now. Nick’s closed in January and hopes to relocate within Federal Hill.

Additional vendors of Phase One will include longtime tenants Steve’s Lunch, Fenwick Meats, and The Sweet Shoppe, which will be adding Taharka Brothers Ice Cream to its offerings; and new tenants including Annapolis’ Ceremony Coffee; Burger Bar from the team at Southside Diner; Vietnamese pho restaurant from Hanover Phubs; Korean concept Rice Crook; Cockeysville barbecue restaurant Smoke, which hosted a pop-up at Cross Street Market earlier this year; a Haitian cuisine farmer’s market and event business Sobeachy

Cross Street Market will also have additional bars dedicated to craft cocktails and wine. Certain food vendors will also be allowed to sell alcohol.

Cross Street Market will be book-ended on Light St. and S. Charles St. with larger restaurant concepts: the seafood concept will be on S. Charles St. side, and a 2,000 sq. ft. space for Ceremony Coffee and a 2,000 sq. ft. restaurant space will be on the Light St. side. Mirmiran said they have been holding out for a specific style of food for the currently-vacant space. The rest of the stalls in the market will be smaller.

The new interior design of Cross Street Market features a lot of new windows bringing in natural light, a polished concrete floor, black ceilings, a middle aisle, and six common seating areas.

The Light St. entrance to Cross Street Market now has a retro design with new windows, a new glass door, a neon sign, and a painted sign.

The block-long market on E. Cross St. runs from Light St. to S. Charles St. The S. Charles St. facade, signage, and entrance will be identical to the design on Light St. Construction on the S. Charles St. entrance ramped up in recent weeks after the closing of Nick’s.

New framed windows have been installed and the cinderblock sides have being sandblasted to give them a gray look on both E. Cross St. sides of the market. When completed, the facade on E. Cross St. will feature painted signage for tenants, accent colors, awnings, lighting, and neon wayfinding signs. An outdoor seating area, planters, and a new sidewalk around the perimeter is also planned.

CVP expects to have all of the exterior improvements completed around mid-March.

Read SouthBMore.com’s articles detailing the different aspects of the Cross Street Market redevelopment here.

Photo courtesy of Cross Street Market

Renderings courtesy of BCT Architects

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/23/a-bakery-craft-beer-station-poke-restaurant-and-taco-grill-coming-to-cross-street-market/

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Knockout Fitness to open Towson location for boxing workouts

Knockout Fitness plans to expand to Towson by this summer, opening a second location in a building at 321 York Road.

The boxing and fitness studio gym opened its first location in Federal Hill in 2012.

The new Towson location will span about 9,750 square feet, twice the size of its first studio.

...

via http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-knockout-towson-20190122-story.html

South Baltimore Crime Updates

From Councilman Eric Costello regarding a Monday robbery in Otterbein and additional incidents:

Update on Otterbein armed robbery at 6:40am on 600 block of S Sharp St from Baltimore Police Department is below (note this update is official and contains minor updates to the post I made earlier today). Please note that I do not have any other information available at this time, as info becomes available, I will post an update.

Detectives from the Citywide Robbery Unit are investigating three robberies that occurred on January 21, 2019. The first incident took place at 5:50am in the 1800 block of N. Wolfe Street. The second incident took place at 6:20am in the 600 block of E. Monument Street. The third incident took place at 6:40am in the 600 block of S. Sharp Street. In each of these robberies, the suspects were seen driving a Chevrolet Equinox with a New York State license plate.

After the third robbery occurred, the Chevrolet Equinox was stopped by officers in Northwest Baltimore. Officers found four suspects inside of the vehicle. Two of the suspects are 16-year old males and the other two suspects are 15-year old males. The vehicle had been previously reported stolen in Baltimore City.

Investigators are working to determine if these suspects are responsible for any additional violence in the community. Anyone with information is asked to call detectives from the Citywide Robbery Unit at 410-366-6341. Callers can always remain anonymous.

Brian Keubler from WMAR did a detailed report on these incidents:

From Councilman Costello regarding a shooting during an attempted carjacking in South Baltimore:

Shooting during attempted carjacking at approximately 9:20 p.m., at the corner of Patapsco St and E Barney St. Victim was shot in leg, is talking to BPD now, and is in stable condition. I will post when more info is available.

According to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) Crime Map, the following crimes were reported from 1/12/19-1/18/19:

Ridgely’s Delight

NONE

Stadium Area

NONE

Barre Circle

NONE

Otterbein

LARCENY- FROM AUTO SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019 17:30 8XX BEVAN ST STREET

Sharp-Leadenhall

STOLEN AUTO SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019 22:00 1XX W HAMBURG ST STREET

Federal Hill

BURGLARY (FORCE) MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 11:50 XX E CHURCHILL ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

ROBBERY – FIREARM FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 14:10 2XX E CROSS ST STREET

Federal Hill South/Riverside

BURGLARY (FORCE) MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 02:35 2XX E HEATH ST STREET

BURGLARY (FORCE) TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 14:10 4XX E CLEMENT ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

LARCENY- OTHER TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 13:30 5XX E FORT AVE OTHER-INSIDE

ROBBERY – FIREARM TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 17:57 14XX HENRY ST STREET

From BPD:

2 males one female walked up on this lady on Henry St. They had at least one gun. She threw her keys and ran. Suspects made off with her Honda.

South Baltimore Neighborhood

BURGLARY (FORCE) TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 18:30 18XX LIGHT ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

LARCENY- FROM AUTO SATURDAY, JANUARY 12, 2019 21:00 XX E WELLS ST PARKING LOT – INSIDE

LARCENY- FROM AUTO SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019 18:20 XX E WELLS ST PARKING LOT – INSIDE

Key Highway/HarborView

NONE

Inner Harbor

ROBBERY – STRONG ARM MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 03:30 6XX S EXETER ST STREE

ROBBERY – STRONG ARM TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 14:46 2XX W PRATT ST OTHER-INSIDE

From BPD – Southern District:

LARCENY- OTHER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 19:00 2XX E PRATT ST RETAIL/SMALL BUSINESS

LARCENY- OTHER TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 13:48 6XX E PRATT ST RETAIL/SMALL BUSINESS

LARCENY- OTHER TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 14:12 4XX E PRATT ST DRUGSTORE/MEDICAL BLDG

LARCENY- OTHER TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 15:55 1XX MARKET PL RESTAURANT/BAR

Port Covington

NONE

Locust Point

NONE

Pigtown

ROBBERY – STRONG ARM WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 16:25 7XX CLIFFORD ST STREET

AGG. ASSLT.- OTH. MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 17:00 8XX W BARRE ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

BURGLARY (FORCE) FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 08:00 13XX HERKIMER ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

BURGLARY (FORCE) MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 19:15 8XX W CROSS ST ROWHOME/TOWNHOUSE

LARCENY- FROM AUTO FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 00:45 13XX NANTICOKE ST STREET

LARCENY- FROM AUTO FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019 18:00 4XX S POPPLETON ST YARD, RESIDENTIAL

LARCENY- FROM AUTO MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 10:30 12XX W PRATT ST STREET

LARCENY- OTHER MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 20:30 14XX WARD ST GAS STATION

LARCENY- FROM AUTO TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 08:36 14XX W HAMBURG ST STREET

STOLEN AUTO WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2019 21:00 12XX CARROLL ST STREET

STOLEN AUTO TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 01:00 12XX SARGEANT ST STREET

Carroll – Camden Industrial Area

AGG. ASSLT.- GUN SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019 01:55 15XX RUSSELL ST OTHER-INSIDE

LARCENY- FROM AUTO MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 14:40 17XX WASHINGTON BLVD STREET

LARCENY- OTHER SUNDAY, JANUARY 13, 2019 05:23 15XX RUSSELL ST OTHER-INSIDE

LARCENY- OTHER TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2019 02:50 15XX RUSSELL ST OTHER-INSIDE

Hollins Market

LARCENY- FROM AUTO MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 20:00 11XX W PRATT ST STREET

From BPD:

Union Square

ROBBERY – STRONG ARM MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2019 21:00 13XX W LOMBARD ST STREET

Offense definitions from the FBI

South Baltimore Peninsula Neighborhoods Map

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/22/south-baltimore-crime-updates-118/

Monday, January 21, 2019

Retro Neon Sign Added to Facade of Cross Street Market

A “retro” Cross Street Market neon sign has been installed to the Light St. entrance of the Cross Street Market. The market is currently closed as it undergoes an $8-million redevelopment by Caves Valley Partners (CVP). Initial construction began in April, a second phase began in November, and a third phase began earlier this month after Nick’s Inner Harbor Seafood closed.

The sign is a black rectangular structure with white neon lighting. It reads ‘Cross Street Market’ along with ‘ESTD 1846.’ It has a light feature that will switch between reading ‘open’ and ‘closed.’ The sign was designed by Younts Design Inc. and fabricated by Belsinger Sign Works.

The Light St. entrance also recently had a ‘Cross Street Market’ sign painted on the brick facade. New windows and a wood and glass door were also installed.

The block-long, 31,800 sq. ft. market on E. Cross St. runs from Light St. to S. Charles St. The S. Charles St. facade, signage, and entrance will be identical to the design on Light St. Construction on the S. Charles St. entrance ramped up in recent weeks after the closing of Nick’s.

CVP expects to have all of the exterior improvements completed around mid-March.

The S. Charles St. entrance and Nick’s former space in the market will not reopen until a new tenant opens in the space. The approximately 5,000 sq. ft. space is currently being gutted and full construction will start when a new tenant is signed.

CVP is in active negotiations with an “established restaurateur” to bring a new seafood concept to the S. Charles St. side of the market and it expects the deal to get done this week.

CVP Partner Arsh Mirmiran said the new concept would bring a fresh seafood dining option as well as provide a fresh fish stall for customers to purchase seafood to cook at home. He said the potential new restaurant has experience providing “high-quality” products. Mirmiran also said a rooftop deck for outdoor dining is a possibility for this potential restaurant.

Nick’s is hoping to find a new home in Federal Hill.

Phase One of Cross Street Market will likely open in late-March. This will include longtime tenants Steve’s Lunch, Fenwick Meats, and The Sweet Shoppe which will be adding Taharka Brothers Ice Cream to its offerings; and new tenants including Burger Bar from the team at Southside Diner; Vietnamese pho restaurant from Hanover Phubs; Korean concept Rice Crook; Cockeysville barbecue restaurant Smoke, which hosted a pop-up at Cross Street Market earlier this year; a Haitian cuisine farmer’s market and event business Sobeachy; and several yet-to-be-announced businesses.

Mirmiran said another announcement of new tenants is likely for next week. Cana Development is working with CVP to lease the stalls. MacKenzie is the contractor and will also be the property manager.

Cross Street Market will have one bar dedicated to craft beer with televisions, one bar dedicated to wine, and one bar dedicated to craft cocktails. Certain food vendors will also be allowed to sell alcohol.

The new interior design of Cross Street Market features a lot of new windows bringing in natural light, a polished concrete floor, black ceilings, a middle aisle, and six common seating areas.

Read SouthBMore.com’s articles detailing the different aspects of the Cross Street Market redevelopment here.

Renderings courtesy of BCT Architects

via https://www.southbmore.com/2019/01/21/retro-neon-sign-added-to-facade-of-cross-street-market/