On March 29th, the Department of Planning is hosting a meeting to discuss re-designation of the Station North and Bromo Arts Districts.
The purpose of the meeting is for people to learn about the impact of the A&E Districts and their plans moving forward, to ask questions, and to comment on the plans that are presented. The re-designation decision will be made by the Maryland State Arts Council, which is part of the Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development - this hearing is part of the process.
Meeting date: Tuesday, March 29th @ 5:30 pm
Virtual meeting via Webex: https://bmore.webex.com/bmore/onstage/g.php?MTID=ecc11824299f30b246a10ed1f231cfe34
Event number: 2348 722 7466 Event password: Planning
Audio conference: United States Toll +1-408-418-9388 Access code: 2348 722 7466
There are a total of four arts districts in Baltimore City, out of 29 statewide. In 2001, Maryland became one of the first states to create a designation program for arts or cultural districts.
Station North was the first area in Baltimore to receive the State designation as an Arts & Entertainment District in 2002.
The Bromo Arts District is anchored to the south by the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower. The district envelops historic Lexington Market and Antique Row.
The other Arts Districts in Baltimore include the Black Arts District along Pennsylvania Avenue and Highlandtown's Arts District.
In an effort to help ensure that the residents of Baltimore City have access to fresh produce during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food Policy and Planning Division continues to implement the COVID-19 Emergency Food Response.
Currently, 17,000 produce boxes are being distributed to families across the city weekly! We have now distributed over 1.5 million total food boxes, 1.2 million of which have been produce boxes. It is important that we give a special thanks to our 70 plus community distribution partners who have committed to distributing produce boxes throughout our ongoing COVID-19 response.
New tool enables people to review the latest investments in the area.
 The Department of Planning Community Planning and Policy & Data Divisions teamed up to create an online interactive asset map for the Inner Southwest part of Baltimore city. This map can be found online.
The map enables residents and potential businesses to see new projects and investment taking place in the Inner Southwest as well information on other assets such as museums, schools, stadiums, and transportation.
This tool can be used by anyone who wants to tell the story of where investment is happening and what assets are already in place in the Inner Southwest. It may help inform those who might be seeking to open an office, lab, restaurant, commercial venture or even buy a house.
Please feel free to contact jeff.lanoue@baltimorecity.gov if you wish to make a suggestion or have questions.
The Reimagine Middle Branch project team presented its efforts to the Urban Design and Architectural Advisory Panel on Thursday, 3/10/22. Reimagine Middle Branch encompasses more than a dozen South Baltimore neighborhoods over an 11 mile stretch along Baltimore's softer harbor.
The plan is conceived with a 3-point approach, developed with a wide range of stakeholders and community partners:
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Protect and Connect the Shoreline by creating a thick, resilient shoreline to protect from flooding;
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Transform Barriers into Connections with Complete streets, new mixed-use development, celebration of African American heritage;
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Support Communities with Parks and Programs – create parks in collaboration with equitable development to increase the quality of life.
At an earlier public meeting on February 24, landscape architecture and urban design firm James Corner Field Operations presented proposed design ideas for 11+ miles of shoreline along the Patapsco River in South Baltimore.
The meeting was hosted by the City of Baltimore, South Baltimore Gateway Partnership and Parks & People Foundation. The designs included:
An Expanded Middle Branch Park: In Cherry Hill, the plan centers on an expanded Middle Branch Park that links Middle Branch Fitness and Wellness Center in Reedbird Park with the shoreline around Medstar Harbor Hospital. In the heart of the Middle Branch Park, a range of improvements are envisioned, including a new boathouse, improved boating and fishing piers, and an expanded playground. The existing boathouse is proposed to be adapted for social space and a food hall or marketplace.
Ridgely’s Cove: The Middle Branch’s public open space network will front new, proposed developments in Westport and Port Covington and extend north to Ridgely’s Cove, where large expanses of marsh will form a “maritime park” that also functions as green-stormwater infrastructure and creates a new natural area at the mouth of the Gwynns Falls. The proposed trail network in Ridgley’s Cove includes boardwalks and a new east-west pedestrian bridge that connects Westport with Port Covington, and links three parks: Black Sox Park to the west, Swann Park to the east and a new “Underpass Park” at Stockholm and Sharp Streets.
The Loop Trail: The Loop Trail will connect all these parks and open spaces with bike and walking trails, creating an 11-mile circuit around the Middle Branch that connects to regional trails, including Gwynns Falls Trail to the northwest and the BWI and East Coast Greenway trails to the south. In addition to providing connections and recreational opportunities, segments of trail network will tell a story about South Baltimore’s culture and history, linking significant places and offering new cultural programming.
For more information on the Reimagine Middle Branch project, and to register and learn about upcoming public engagement opportunities, visit: https://reimaginemb.com/.
Date: Wednesday, March 16th
Location: Virtual, via WebEx (Please register through Eventbrite.)
Description: The March 2022 meeting will explore the ways energy touches our lives - from household energy burdens to the health implications associated with energy-related GHG emissions and overall energy use in buildings including homes, offices, schools hospitals and churches. Join us on March 16th to learn more about how access to affordable, reliable energy effects you and what can be done in Baltimore to support more sustainable energy infrastructure.
Date: Wednesday, April 20th
Description: The April Commission on Sustainability meeting will feature a Sustainability and Resiliency Community Forum. The goal of the forum is to provide Baltimore City residents updates on sustainability and resiliency actions taking place across Baltimore, outline progress on implementing strategies and actions in the 2019 Sustainability Plan, and the commitment to sustainability, resiliency and environmental justice in Mayor Scott’s Term 1 Action Plan. During the event residents will learn how the City's Sustainability and Resiliency Subcabinet is helping the city reach urban sustainability goals through inter-agency collaboration.
Date: Wednesday, June 8th
Location: Shake & Bake, 1601 Penn. Ave.
Description: The city's annual Sustainability Open House will feature interactive sustainability displays, free giveaways, free food and much, much more! The theme of this year's event is The Art of Climate Action. Come learn how Baltimore is becoming more sustainable, more resilient and more equitable. You won't want to miss this FREE event full of fun, educational and engaging activities for all ages. Register to attend by clicking here.
Vendors: We are looking for organizations across the city to table and share their community-based initiatives that support sustainability and social equity while building resiliency among the populations they serve. If your organization is interested in tabling, please complete this form to register.
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