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Issue #167
June 7, 2013
In this issue:
Don't Miss:
BARCS Spring Yard Sale
Saturday, June 8
8:00 am – 2:30 pm
Mayor's Hot Links
Baltimore Snapshot
Special Notices
Recreation and Parks Events Calendar
Extended Summer Hours at City Drop-Off Centers
Upcoming Events
Summer Sounds at the Square
Images and Ruins
BARCS Spring Yard Sale
Baltimore Housing Father's Day Celebration
Vacants to Value: Baltimore Builds Expo
Camp Baltimore Celebrity Kickoff BBQ
Patterson Park Splash Bash
Baltimore Housing Summer Food Outdoor Site
Waterfront Partnership's Summer Social Series
Information Technology Job Fair
Sounds of the Summer Solstice
Ashe to Amen
Baltimore Dragon Boat Challenge
Northwest Community Relations Council Public Safety Day
To request a listing for your event, send all the details to neal.gary@baltimorecity.gov.
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 Earlier this week, I introduced public infrastructure financing legislation to support Harbor Point, a new $1 billion master-planned, mixed-use community that will support thousands of construction jobs and permanent jobs and generate, on average, $19.6 million in new city tax revenue annually. Harbor Point is currently a largely-vacant 27-acre brownfields site—formerly the location of an Allied Signal chrome processing plant—located between the Fells Point and Harbor East communities.
Built in phases over 12 years, the project will include an estimated 1.6 million square feet of office space, new residential and retail space, a high-rise hotel, 1.2 million square feet of public parking (including 3,115 new spaces), and five distinct public urban parks. The project will be funded with approximately $920 million of private investment, supported by approximately $106.9 million of city Tax Increment Financing (TIF) bonds to finance public infrastructure, which does not presently exist at Harbor Point. In turn, the project is expected to create numerous benefits for Baltimore.
The project will bring significant new revenue to Baltimore City. Prior to the commencement of development at Harbor Point, the City has collected only about $244,000 per year in property tax revenue from the site. After development, the City anticipates an average of approximately $19.6 million per year in new tax revenues generated directly by the project. Harbor Point will sustain and grow the city’s tax base through increased property and other related taxes and revenues. The City will also receive profit sharing payments from the developer, subject to the approval of the Board of Estimates.
The development of Harbor Point will support a significant number of jobs, including an estimated 7,175 construction jobs, 6,611 direct permanent jobs, and 2,547 indirect jobs. The developer, working in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development, is incorporating an inclusion strategy to comply with the City’s Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise program. The developer is also working closely with Baltimore Development Corporation and the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development to develop a local hiring plan to ensure that Baltimore City residents will have maximum opportunity to obtain employment related to the project under the mayor’s Employ Baltimore hiring program.
The project will include 9.5 acres of new public park land, including a half-mile of new public promenade connecting Fells Point with Harbor East—completing the city’s waterfront promenade system from Canton to Locust Point, and providing enhanced access to the city’s waterfront for all city residents.
The creation of a vibrant, new neighborhood will make Baltimore a better place to live, work, and play, furthering our goal of attracting 10,000 new families to the City of Baltimore. It is anticipated that the Harbor Point neighborhood will increase the city’s residential population by approximately 2,070 residents—a significant number of whom will be new to the city. In addition, the Harbor Point development project and the TIF will enhance and expand an existing public charter school, the Crossroads School, which will construct new educational facilities, partly as a result of TIF assistance.
Like the Inner Harbor revitalization effort of 30 years ago, the Harbor Point project represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow Baltimore by attracting new jobs, new residents, new tax revenue, and new public amenities. In total, more than a third of the development will be public park space that all of Baltimore’s residents can enjoy. I look forward to working with the City Council to move this important revitalization effort forward. I’m confident that we will be able to look back at this project together and know that it has made Baltimore better and stronger.
For more information about Harbor Point, including detailed financial figures and benefits for Baltimore, see our official press release.
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If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at my website or by email at mayor@baltimorecity.gov. You can also follow the Mayor’s Office and be a part of the conversation on Facebook or Twitter.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor
City of Baltimore
WJZ
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
WBALTV
Baltimore Snapshot
 The Power Plant on Pier 4, with its array of restaurants, residences, and attractions, is one of the most recognizable features of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. Cultural centers such as the Inner Harbor, Harbor East, and the planned Harbor Point development, make Baltimore's waterfront one of the best in the nation.
Recreation and Parks Events Calendar
The Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks offers a wide range of events throughout the year. Take advantage of these free, fun, and exciting activities for all ages and all members of the family! For a full listing of Rec and Parks events, visit bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/AboutBCRP/EventsCalendar.aspx.
Extended Summer Hours at City Drop-Off Centers
Extended summer hours at three of the City’s Citizens' Convenience Centers are now in effect. Baltimore residents can drop off residential waste, bulk trash, recycling and electronic equipment Monday through Saturday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. For additional information on drop-off locations, permitted items, and regulations, visit publicworks.baltimorecity.gov. Extended hours will remain in effect through Saturday, August 31 at these locations:
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Western Citizens' Convenience Center
701 Reedbird Avenue
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Eastern Citizens’ Convenience Center
6101 Bowleys Lane
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Northwest Citizens’ Convenience Center
2840 Sisson Street
Summer Sounds at the Square
Every Friday, May 17 – August 30, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Belvedere Square, York Road and Belvedere Avenue
Belvedere Square brings back the summer’s hottest concert series for a tenth season! Enjoy a festive atmosphere with live music from the region's hottest bands and special offerings from the merchants of Belvedere Square. Concerts are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule of performances and dining options, visit www.belvederesquare.com. Concerts will be cancelled if it rains; for updates, visit Belvedere Square on Facebook.
Images and Ruins
June 7 – August 2, Wednesdays – Saturdays, 12:00 noon – 6:00 pm
Opening Reception: Saturday, June 22, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
School 33 Art Center, 1427 Light Street
In conjunction with its Studio Artist Biennial, School 33 Art Center hosts Images and Ruins, curated by Michelle Gomez. The exhibition's eight artists work with unique approaches to photographic imagery to both preserve and destruct memory. Participating artists include Twiggy Boyer, Chajana denHarder, Michael Koliner, Shannon LaRue, Erin Maywhoor, Joseph Parra, Nick Clifford Simko, and Heather Stratton. For more information, call 443-263-4350 or visit www.school33.org.
BARCS Spring Yard Sale
Saturday, June 8, 8:00 am – 2:30 pm (Rain date: June 9)
BARCS, 301 Stockholm Street
Join the cause to help the Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS) in its mission to rescue homeless and neglected animals. Don’t Miss the Spring Spring Yard. Purchase gently-used items, raffle tickets, and refreshments. All proceeds go to BARCS. For details, call 410-396-4695.
Baltimore Housing Father’s Day Celebration
Saturday, June 8, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
Pleasant View Gardens Community Center, 201 N. Aisquith Street
Baltimore Housing's Resident Services presents this third-annual celebration for fathers, male role models, and children living in public housing or utilizing the Housing Choice Voucher Program. This free event includes food, games, prizes, free haircuts, live entertainment, and more. For more information, call Tyrone Furman at 410-396-6197.
Vacants to Value: Baltimore Builds Expo
Saturday, June 8, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Coppin State University Talon Center, 2500 W. North Avenue
Join Baltimore Housing for to learn all you need to know about restoring value to Baltimore’s vacant properties. Visit exhibit booths, attend educational seminars, speak with industry professionals, and take a self-guided tour of renovated or ready-for-rehab properties. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required. For more information, call 410-396-4111 or email V2V@baltimorecity.gov. To learn more about Vacants to Value, visit www.baltimorehousing.org/vacants_to_value.aspx.
Camp Baltimore Celebrity Kickoff BBQ
Thursday, June 13, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Medfield Recreation Center, 1501 Woodheights Avenue
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake presents an exciting kickoff to Camp Baltimore, The Department of Recreation and Parks' series of summer day camps. Join Rec and Parks and Magic 95.9 to honor Baltimore’s 2013 Rec Stars—former recreation participants who continue to inspire our youth. At this free event, enjoy a carnival atmosphere and a BBQ dinner. For more information, call 410-396-7900. To register, for Camp Baltimore, please drop by your local recreation center.
Patterson Park Splash Bash
Saturday, June 15, 11:00 am (Rain date: June 16)
Patterson Park Pool, 148 South Lakewood Avenue
The Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks presents the annual Big Splash! Cool off and chill out with the Oriole Bird, Flipper, the Fluid Movement swimmers, and even a steel drum band. Free ice cream will be served to the first 50 swimmers, so arrive early for a cool treat. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 410-396-3838.
Baltimore Housing Summer Food Outdoor Site
June 17 – August 16 (excl. July 4), 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm
Food Depot, 2401 Belair Road
This summer, the Baltimore City Summer Food Service Program presents a new outdoor site. Families in need can receive free meals for children 18 years old and younger. Martin's Caterers will provide kids a nutritious meal, and kids can hang out with other children at the outdoor site while parents and guardians shop at the adjacent Food Depot. For more information or a list of other Summer Food Service Program locations, call 410-396-0773 or visit www.baltimorehousing.org/food.
Waterfront Partnership's Summer Social Series
Friday, June 21, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
West Shore Park, Inner Harbor
The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore presents the return of its Summer Social Series at West Shore Park. Enjoy free entertainment on the Waterfront every month through August. With live music from local bands, cold beverages, food trucks, a waterfront kids play area, and the Walter Sondheim Interactive Fountain, these socials offer something for everyone. For more information or a list of events, visit www.waterfrontpartnership.org.
Information Technology Job Fair
Friday, June 21, 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
Workforce Reception Center, 100 W. 23rd Street
The Mayor's Office of Employment Development will gather employers from around the region to discuss training and employment options for Baltimore residents. The job fair will have an extra focus on jobs in the Information Technology industry. For more information, a list of employers attending, or to RSVP, call 410-396-1474.
Sounds of the Summer Solstice
Friday, June 21, 6:30 – 12:00 midnight
Druid Hill Park
Join in a celebration of life on the longest day of the year. The evening begins with a free concert at the Rawlings Conservatory. Later, revelers and nature lovers can join in an evening hike, led by the Friends of Druid Hill Park, and participate in the Summer Solstice celebration around the solstice fire at the Druid statue. The event is free, though a $5 donation is suggested. Don't forget to wear red, gold, or yellow to honor the sun! For more information, visit www.druidhillpark.org.
Ashe to Amen
Exhibition: June 22 – September 29
Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 East Pratt Street
The traveling exhibition Ashe to Amen: African Americans and Biblical Imagery presents African American artists' interpretations of Biblical stories and traditions through historic and contemporary art. The exhibition is among the first scholarly explorations into how the Bible has informed the African American community’s evolving artistic expression. For more information, visit RFLewisMuseum.org.
Baltimore Dragon Boat Challenge
Saturday, June 22 8:00 am – 4:00 pm (Rain date: June 23)
Under Armour Headquarters, 1010 Hull Street
The Baltimore Dragon Boat Club presents the 5th annual Baltimore Dragon Boat Challenge. A mix of dragon boat teams, including corporate, city, club, and cancer survivor teams will compete in a series of 500-meter races. This year, The Gathering food truck festival will be held at the event. Sample Baltimore's fabulous food trucks and enjoy live entertainment, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults. For more information, visit challenge.baltimoredragonboatclub.com.
Northwest Community Relations Council Public Safety Day
Sunday, June 23, 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm
Public Safety Training Academy, 3500 W. Northern Parkway
Bring the whole family for a day of fun and excitement at the Northwest Community Relations Council's 4th annual Public Safety Day. See emergency vehicles on display and learn important facts and tips about public safety and security through exhibits from federal, state, city, and private agencies. Kids can have fun while learning at the Kiddie Police Academy. The day culminates with a softball match between the Northwest Police District and the Northwest Citizens on Patrol. Free giveaways while supplies last, so get there early! For more information, contact Deborah Woolford at 410-805-6589 or Patricia Rydeout-Howard at 443-934-1347.
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