Baltimore21201.Com - The Blog

Baltimore, Sports, Preservation. Thoughts.

Hinchliffe Stadium -- Paterson, NJ -- is possibly the last surviving stadium that hosted the Negro Baseball League. Preservation, the magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has just published an extraordinary story of the stadium, its background, and its possible future.

And, it's a great read. The title is: Field of Forgotten Dreams.

Here's a short excerpt from the National Trust:

It was the spring of 1937, and Irvin, a 17-year-old rising star from the nearby city of Orange with a .666 high school batting average, was at Hinchliffe trying out for a professional baseball team. Because Irvin was African American, and because of the color barrier in the major leagues, the team was not the New York Yankees or the Brooklyn Dodgers but a Negro League ball club called the Newark Eagles.

The sweet sound of home run after home run—crack, crack, crack—attracted the attention of Josh Gibson and Buck Leonard, two Negro League players preparing for a game at Hinchliffe later that day. Irvin was introduced to the two stars, whose grace, athleticism, and dapper uniforms and dress had inspired him. Indeed, Gibson had been called The Black Babe Ruth and Leonard The Black Lou Gehrig (though some wondered if Gehrig should have been dubbed The White Buck Leonard). And on this day, Irvin learned he would play alongside his two idols. He had made the Eagles.

Even though Irvin never imagined it possible at the time, with his paltry $125-a-month salary and the seemingly unshakeable reality of segregation in America, he would become one of the first African American players to make the major leagues after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, and would go on to enjoy a Hall of Fame career as a left fielder for the New York Giants and Chicago Cubs...

I know, I know that Paterson, NJ isn't in my usual 21201 coverage area. And, baseball isn't my strong suite either. (However, after moving back to Baltimore, Jacob and I are now watching, commenting on, and truly enjoying local sports -- even when the Ravens don't look like they can play football, let alone a decent game of hopscotch.)

Here's the Preservation paragraph that brings this story home to Baltimore 21201:

Today, a heap of trash -- rotting wood, old tires, twisted metal -- rises along one end of the track that rings the stadium. Empty bottles litter the old concession area. Graffiti covers the crumbling bleachers. The burned-out roof over one bathroom represents the work of arsonists or vagrants who simply wanted to stay warm.

After the passing of our great Baltimore benefactor, Clarisse Mechanic, last month I wonder -- once again -- what the future of the Morris Mechanic Theatre will be. And, that leads me to wonder...

How are we going to save the many Baltimore architectural treasures that need to be preserved, buildings that need to be re-purposed, and areas where graffiti is simply unacceptable. Let's all think about this.

Baltimore has come a long way. Let's not let Baltimore move in the direction of Paterson.

Walking Tour: Ten Hills

This Saturday, 1 to 3 PM. Friends of Maryland's Olmsted Parks & Landscapes host a guided tour of Ten Hills, a Baltimore neighborhood and residential development influenced by the Olmsted Firm.

In 1909, developer Charles Steffey laid out Ten Hills on the site of the old A.S. Chappel estate, keeping the natural topography intact. Edward Bouton, developer of the Olmsted Brothers-designed neighborhoods in Baltimore -- Roland Park, Guilford, and Homeland -- influenced Steffy as a community builder.

Ten Hills residents, Robert O. Hatnick and Stephen Israel will guide the tour of the picturesque area. Hatnick is an architect and principal at GWWO Inc./Architects and Hatnick is a retired archaeologist and preservation planner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Ten Hills exemplifies the concept of a superbly planned suburban neighborhood. Lining the winding streets are houses built in the Colonial, English Tudor, Spanish Colonial, Greek Revival, and Arts & Crafts styles.

Tour tickets are $15 in advance. $18 day of the tour. For more information and to make reservations contact Heide Grundman at 410-945-0586. These tours usually sell out. Call today.

Our Famed Harborplace Has Just Been Put Up for Sale

According to the BBJ, General Growth Properties has indeed put Harborplace and the Gallery on the block.

 

It seems that General Growth Properties hasn't been experiencing much general growth. According to the Baltimore Business Journal, GGP is about $900-million in debt. That debt is coming due in just two months. Oh, swell.

 

And, as they say on the infomercials: "But wait, there's more!" GGP, Inc. also owns Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston and South Street Seaport in New York City. Yes, they are part of this portfolio sale, too.

What this will ultimately mean to Baltimore's biggest tourist attraction and a great downtown shopping destination is unclear as the story is just breaking. Stay tuned, this could be wicked.

Art to Dine For - With Dr. Giraud & Carolyn Foster in Their Roland Park Home

Baltimore's Creative Alliance says that there are a couple of spots left for what may be their most impressive art and dinner combination that we've seen in a long, long time.

Dr. Giraud Foster has traveled the world as a private physician (formerly to the King of Yemen), photographer, archaeologist, and ethnographer. He's created a massive collection of art works, many have been displayed in Baltimore's Walters Art Museum, and other great museums. His wife, Carolyn, is a scholar of indigenous myths and oral traditions.

 

Join them at their home for a tour of their private collection which includes Ancient Alabasters from Yemen, 18th Century English Furniture, 19th Century Indian Textiles, and more. Much more.

You'll be treated to an exceptional Indian Buffet and listen to over 50 years of tales about travels and tastes in India and South Asia.

Jacob and I would be there if we didn't have a dinner invitation on the evening of the 15th. If you go, please let us know all of the details. And, send photos.

A Few Words From Senator Barbara Mikulski & Why I Love This Woman

I've always seen the United States' most senior female Senator and Maryland's first and longest serving female Senator, Barbara Mikulski, as the woman guarding the rights of, and advocating for, the average man. Not only in Maryland, but everywhere.

I've always seen our Senator as a powerful bull dog with strong points to make. (And, a bull dog who has a bite that is stronger than her bark.) Now, I'm seeing her as more of the LIONESS of American politics and she's roaring loud for all to hear.

A couple of days ago I emailed our Senator (and many other elected officials) with my position on sending a blank check to the Bush administration for the proposed Bail Out of the very companies that caused this mess in the first place. Senator Mikulski's response was the only literate and to-the-point response that I received. And, while pre-written, it's perfect. Read along, aloud if you like:

Dear Mr. Brockelman:

Thank you for writing to me about the Bush Administration's proposal to bail out the financial industry. It's good to hear from you.

There's no question that we are in a credit crisis. People who have saved for their retirement, been faithful in paying their mortgage, and worked hard to pay for college are wondering, 'What is going on?'

They've watched Wall Street executives pay themselves lavish salaries. They've watched irresponsible lending practices. They've watched casino economics, gambling on risky investment mechanisms. Now those very same Americans who've worked hard and played by the rules are being asked to pay the bill for those who didn't.

Congress must act promptly to restore confidence and stability in the economy. But I will not be stampeded into voting for the Bush Administration bill. During the last seven years, every time there's a crisis, they generate fear and they generate bad ideas. This three-page bill gives the Secretary of the Treasury unlimited power to intervene in our financial markets without any review by Congress, agencies, or courts. It cannot be rubber stamped by the Congress.

At the minimum, the plan must be limited and temporary - not open-ended. There can't be any golden parachutes that reward executives for their excesses and their recklessness. No blank checks. There also must be a plan for those who have been hit hardest by the mortgage crisis.

Knowing of your views is very helpful to me. I will keep them in mind as the Senate continues to debate the President's economic plan.

Thanks again for getting in touch. Please let me know if I can be of assistance to you in the future.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

P.S. If I can be of further assistance in the future,
please visit my website at http://mikulski.senate.gov
or call my Washington D.C. office at 202-224-4654

 

So folks, regardless or your take on party lines, we need to adore and thank this Maryland Treasure for not dancing around her position. She never has; she never will.

Take Note - Los Angeles Police Chief, WJ Bratton is Coming to Baltimore

Really he is. And October 23rd will be a great day for learning. Truly great. Chief William J Bratton, LAPD has been fighting crime for over 30 years. I'm looking forward to his take on fighting city crime.

Chief WJ Bratton is the best-of-the-best to address the issues involved in Policing Cities in the 21st Century. And, he will do that in Baltimore. As LAPD Chief Bratton has, in many ways, bigger issues than we have here in Baltimore. In many ways we, in Baltimore, have bigger and more selective issues than he has in Los Angeles. And all cities have individual & specific issues that no other city can address alone. Cities, large or small, need to adress crime in this ecomony more than ever before. Let's see what he has to say. Let's see if we can learn.

 

Bratton's presentaion, "Policing in the 21st Century" is presented by Johns Hopkins Universtiy, Johns Hopkins Institute for Policy Studies, WTMD 89.7, WYPR 88.1, and EverGreen House & Museum.

Let's all be there and listen and ask questions. It's a free event. Attendance is limited and pre-registration is required. Call 410-516-0341 or send an email to urbanlecture@jhu.edu. Also, there's free onsite parking.

Need more, take a look at the official LAPD website.

Documenting the Baltimore to DC Commute

I've heard it and read it time and time again, "The commute from Baltimore to DC on the MARC train is a piece of cake". I only know one person who actually takes MARC daily, he's a big fan and says the commute is as easy as pie.

I figure the proof is in the pudding: Catrin Davies of Passport Realty in Baltimore's Mt. Vernon neighborhood thought so, too.

Looks like all the commuter-types aren't full of beans after all. The trip's like taking candy from a baby. Doesn't look like people are packed in like sardines, either.

So Long, Baltimore Sun. Your Light Is Barely a Flicker. What a Paper You Were.

If you've read this blog even once, you know that we love all things Balimore. And this blog is intended to support our favorite city. Baltimore is home, that's why we moved back here in the winter of 2006.

When Jacob and I lived 3,000 miles away we subscribed to the daily print version of the Baltimore Sun. It was an expensive subscription back then. The paper was big, fat and rich with local content. It was well and cleverly written by local reporters. It spoke to Baltimore residents (and former residents living far away) in an insightful, historical, yet progressive way. The paper reached out and spoke to its readers.

Our once great Baltimore daily paper which was known the world over by the tag-line, Light for All, looks to me like it's doomed.

Just in this afternoon from the Baltimore Business Journal...

"The Baltimore Sun will eliminate its weekday Maryland section as part of a redesign that the newspaper will debut Aug. 24." Read the full BBJ story here. I won't even attempt to pull more info. Read the story and weep.

Check back. I'll post more on this sorry issue shortly. Examiner anyone?

Boscov's Files Bankruptcy. No Big Suprise. But, Very Very Sad for a Successful Family

For Boscov's, the family owned department store chain that was founded in 1911, it's all over but the screamin'. Around Baltimore this will leave three local malls with big holes real fast. And, no long-term income from what turned out to be a short-term anchor tenant - many of the local Boscov's [Wiki reference] moved here and set up shop around 2006.

Marley Station, White Marsh Mall and Owings Mills Mall are losing Boscov's and that blue script logo.

By filing their Chaper 11 statements, Boscov's also put themselves up for sale.

I've only been to Boscov's a few times since they arrived on the scene here and wasn't at all impressed. There was nothing in or around Boscov's to tell me that they were any different than JC Penny, Sears, or the Macy's stores that were previously housed in the local Boscov's locations. 

When will these department stores understand that they can no longer be all things to all people? We've lost more than a few chain stores to bankruptcy this year -- many with a great niche, which Boscov's didn't have.

The list of lost stores includes Steve & Barry's, Mervyn's, Bombay Company, Levitz Furniture, Linens and Things, Domain Home Furnishings, Friedman's Jewlers, Fortunoff's, Sharper Image, Lillian Vernon, Goody's Clothing and many, many more. I'm predicting, more to go this way before the end of the year - some will be big box stores.

How Our Inner Harbor Changed the World's Port Cities. No, Really! I'm Serious.

If you missed this last night, be certain to set your Tivo or DVR to record Maryland Public Television at 9PM July 22nd. (Channels 22 and 67)

Global Harbors: A Waterfront Renaissance is an outstanding piece of documentary work.

Baltimore Sun's architecture critic, Edward Gunts writes, "In many ways, Global Harbors is the Un-Wire. It doesn't deny the existence of crime and poverty and dysfunction in the city, but it starts with the premise that the glass is half-full. It shows Baltimore as a place where good things can happen when people put their minds to it. It dares to suggest that 50 years of rebuilding may be paying off."

I think Global Harbors' premise is that the glass is way, way more than half-full and that 50 years of rebuilding started paying off 50 years ago. It certainly did for the urban pioneers who, decades ago, bought their homes in Otterbein for a dollar.

In the Examiner, Michael Olesker notes, "What most of us didn’t know — but learn from the documentary — is the profound effect Harborplace has had on urban harbors around the world, with municipal leaders having taken their cues from the Baltimore model." I like Olesker's take, as I usually do, best.

Like all good documentaries should, this one has a website. And, if that Tivo crashes or Comcast goes down you can buy the DVD online. Trust me, it's a keeper. Spend the twenty-bucks.

Centerpoint to Get WOW Factor

The WOW is World Of Wings. Coming this spring to Baltimore's westside Centerpoint complex: WOW Cafe & Wingery. Based in Covington, LA the WOW chain offers up wings in dozens of flavors.

What's looking good to me are their Texas Toast Burgers. The Philly, for example, is 1/2 pound of beef on buttered Texas Toast dressed with Monerey Jack, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, peppers, mushrooms, and spicy mayo.

What really brings the WOW factor (and seperates this from your average hot wing and burger joint) is its full bar with some signature drinks that might just set you on fire even without the wings. Check out their Chamation: This 32-ounce cocktail is filled with Smirnoff Vodka, Captain Morgan's Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice and grenadine. (I'll stick with Johnny Walker on the rocks with a twist, thanks.)

Finally. After months, NEW SPIRITS in downtown Baltimore. And at great prices, too.

After months of anticipation and waiting - on my part - Jim Amato's Urban Cellars is finally open next door to the Peanut Shoppe's new location and just a few steps away from 21201's new SuperFresh grocery store at 222 N Charles Street, Baltimore.

I've written before about the oddness of having to go to RiteAid for a bottle of wine or scotch when friends were coming over.

No longer do we, as residents of downtown Baltimore's City Center, have to buy our Band-Aids and Brandy and Benedryl in the same store. That change is a wonderful, wonderful thing!

Here's the very best news: Jacob and I were at Urban Cellars last week shopping for our Friday cocktail party and for our private New Year's Eve celebration. Jacob had been to Urban Cellars before. I hadn't. He asked me to check the shelf prices and I expected them to be high due to the store's location.

THEY WERE NOT!

Every bottle of wine (Urban Cellars has an International Collection), every six-pack of beer (Urban Cellars offers the finest and coldest and some of the most unusual), and every bottle of liquor (their selection blew my socks off) was priced equal to or less than what you'd pay at any Maryland liquor store. And, certainly less than you'd pay at the drug store.

Stay tuned. Amato tells me that Urban Cellars is planning some extradorinary tastings and events.

Belly of the Beast? Nope. Today, I Was in the Brain of the Beast!

If you enjoy Baltimore 21201... If you've lived in Baltimore for any period of time... If you love our city and its landmarks... and, if you've ever dreamed about being in a seemingly impossible place to visit... then you must have thought about being in the clock room of the Bromo Seltzer Tower. I was there today. It was a dream fulfilled. I was INSIDE the clocks.

I'm a fairly new member of the Baltimore Architecture Foundation and while I attend their Forum Series, I didn't know how wonderful these tours could be. Adam Blumenthal, BAF's executive director, served as tour guide and was a wealth of information. (He also drives an old, cranky, brass-cage elevator like a veteran.)

Adam found me -- and my blog -- by way of looking for information on Baltimore's BG&E building conversion to luxury apartments. It seems that if you Google "BG&E Building" this blog hits the top of the charts. Odd, but true.


Adam began the tour on the ground floor by way of explaining the footprint of the building. As we arrived on the third floor, we saw drawings of the entire building -- inside and out -- including the Bromo Seltzer bottle that was on top decades ago. We learned about the wind sheer that probably caused the steel and glass advertising fixture to be removed.

Here's the deal: If you want an opportunity like the one I had today, join the Baltimore Architecture Foundation and every group like it.

And on some of these tours be prepared to climb some radical stairs. It's all worth it.

Citi Logo Soars Over Baltimore

What's this? Citi Financial signage being hoisted to the top of their building at Saratoga and Saint Paul on a Sunday afternoon? Yep, and as of now it's still tightly under wraps.

I see color under that wrap (the red on the arch) and from the placement of the logo it will surely be illuminated. And if it is, that's great news.

Way too few of Baltimore's tall buildings are lit properly at night. The crown of the Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore Hotel is a prime example. It's magnificent topper and is completely dark. Radisson Hotels should be ashamed!

Lights of all kinds bring energy to a city. Where there is light at night, there's attraction -- and not just for moths.

The Citi logos are going up on all sides of the building. What a welcome addition to the Vertical Neighborhood.

Is 21201 Becoming Too Pricey?

Looking at the direct mail we've been receiving from the newest downtown apartment buildings and from some of the recent classic building conversions... I'M JUST WONDERING...

Is this the wave of the future?

Reviewing the prices of of Bozzuto's newest construction, the Zenith, where prices per square-foot seem rather New-Yorkish and where the apartments seem cramped on each floor, I hope this is not where we're headed.

I'm also hoping that Baltimore's westside Super-Block project will finally come about and level the playing field by increasing inventory.

At the moment many of the new City-Center apartments rent for what would be a starting mortgage payment. I'm hoping that all of this cools down until the proposed Baltimore/DC MagLev train makes Charm City a viable suburb of our Nation's Capitol. Then, it will all be fair game.

And, yes I know, I've been doing a whole lot of looking, reviewing and hoping.

Southern Management's 39 West Lex - New Website & Hot Floorplans Now Online

I've been watching the progress at the old BG&E building on the corners of Fayette, Liberty and Lexington Streets for many months with some sense of awe. The grand dame of a structure has been receiving some tender loving care at the hands of some amazingly skilled workers by way of it's conversion from an office building, built in 1916, to new apartment homes known as 39 West Lex.

David Hillman and his Southern Management Co., under the supervision of the National Park Service, are restoring the 22-story, neoclassical building to the standards of the National Register of Historic Places. (Jacob and I belong to the National Trust for Histoic Preservation. Trust me, such a project is not easy and, for a project of this size, is blazingly expensive.)

Today I had my first look at the online floorplans. I'd feared that, to maximize income, there would be many, many small apartments per floor as is the case in quite a few historic conversions. Oh, that's not the case here. The building has a true penthouse level with 2-bedroom + den units, on two floors, topping out at a startling 1799 square feet. The entire project has a maximum of 10 units per floor.

And, no creaky spiral staircases here. At 39 West Lex you get the real deal.

By way of total disclosure, we live in a Southern Management property, the Park Charles, and have no plans of moving anytime soon. What Hillman's company has done to improve the unban landscape of downtown Baltimore requires some serious loyalty. Besides, young Mr. Oliver loves the view.

People in Glass Houses... Shouldn't Walk Around Naked

I've lived in high-rises for the greater part of my life.

My first apartment in New York City was on 75th Street between Riverside Drive and West End Avenue on the 17th floor of a beautiful pre-war building. Some years later, my second apartment in NYC was on Central Park West... that apartment was one floor lower, but what a view of the park it had!

I've lived in high-rises in Los Angeles, Dallas, San Francisco, and on and on.

Living on the 26th floor of the Park Charles in Baltimore's City Center, I look out the windows and see birds flying by -- and on special mornings, at special times of the year, I see Monarch butterflies. Some days at dusk I see bats taking out the local bugs. I also see blimps flying over Camden Yards. And lately, I see them over the Inner Harbor with real estate banners in tow.

Now and then I see a bi-plane fly by. Daily I see helicopters fly in and out of the heliport on University of Maryland Medical Center. The sunrises are vibrant and amazing here. As are the sunsets.

You'd think I'd be used to all of the theatre outside the windows by now.

Unknown faces looking IN the windows twice-a-year shouldn't surprise me. However, no matter how well in advance I'm warned about the arrival of the window washers, I'm always taken off-guard. And, I laugh at myself.

I guess I'm good until next Spring.

   

Downtown Baltimore to Have a Bit of Monaco - The Hotel

The Baltimore Sun reported this morning that one of City Center's finest old buildings has been sold. The real estate closing was yesterday for the $20-million-dollar sale of the 1906 headquarters of B&O Railroad located on the corner of Charles and Baltimore Streets.

The historic building will reopen in 2009 with the top floors becoming a Monaco Hotel managed and operated by Kimpton. Washington DC has a fine Monaco by Kimpton. So does Chicago and San Francisco. There's a Monaco in Salt Lake City and Seattle.

It seems that it's Baltimore's turn to have a brand new (in a century-old, classic space) boutique hotel.

ARCWheeler, the Philadelphia-based developer, has marked the middle floors as office and the ground floors for retail and restaurant use. I'm liking this concept.

Kimpton's Monaco-branded hotels are smart, sassy, and requested by high profile performing artists visiting cities where Monaco Hotels are located.

ARCWheeler's website speaks highly of their purchase:

"This 225,000 SF, $55-million mixed-use development will reside in the regal Beaux-Arts style B&O Building in Baltimore which was designed by noted architect James Gamble Rogers."

They go on to say:

"The B&O building will represent the first of ARCWheeler's "10" boutique hotel brand, which will include hotel, office and retail space, and be located in buildings of grandeur in prime locations. This historic 13-story building, built in 1906 as the headquarters for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, includes marble floors and staircases, cobalt-blue stained glass windows and high vaulted ceilings."

It's also promised that the developer will return the huge marble lobby, with dual staircases, to it's origional 1906 glory.

The Saratoga Condominiums. Hot, New Baltimore Homes.

Coming soon to Baltimore 21201 from Phoenix Developers: The Saratoga Condos. The 19 unique floor plans are being constructed in a building that has history going back to 1847. It was reconstructed in 1873 after a fire and named St. Alphonsus Hall. It was run as a Catholic School by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. It was used as an educational facility until 2002.

The floor plans are amazingly wonderful, imaginative, and no two are the same. There are 2-level one bedrooms, 2-bedroom duplexes and loft-like units with overlooks. Some of the amenities include onsite parking, a fitness center, sauna, a theatre & media room, and many homes have private balconies or patios. All together, that makes for an impressive package for an inner-city condo project.

What a great addition to downtown and the near-westside. To The Saratoga Condos, WELCOME HOME.

Personally, I'm kind of fond of Unit 17...