 Happy 2015, Baltimore! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and a very happy New Year’s. As we plan our resolutions for the new year and continue our efforts to grow Baltimore in 2015, I would like to reflect briefly on 2014.
My top priority has always been working to eliminate violent crime. I am encouraged by how much Baltimore accomplished in the crime fight in 2014, and I am motivated to do even more in 2015. We have strengthened our focus on taking violent repeat offenders off our city streets, while consistently improving relationships with communities. In return, we have seen that violent crime is down, as are instances of police misconduct and excessive force lawsuits filed against the City.
Meanwhile, Baltimore is seeing its most significant growth in decades—across the board. Thanks to our continued implementation of the City’s first ten-year financial plan, Change to Grow, we have cut a $750 million structural deficit in half, reduced the property tax rate for homeowners (with additional cuts coming), pumped tens of millions of new dollars into much-needed infrastructure investment, and shrunk the City’s retiree health liability by two-thirds. Due to these reforms, the City earned its first bond rating upgrade in seven years!
Local businesses like Under Armour, Millennial Media, Groove, and Pixelligent continue to expand, while companies like Pandora, Spardata, Mindgrub, and KAO, USA have relocated to Baltimore and will grow with us. Meanwhile, in just a few months, the Horseshoe Baltimore Casino has provided 2,200 new city-based jobs, and more than 1,000 jobs will be available when Amazon opens its new fulfillment center later this year.
Thanks to the Vacants to Value initiative, my administration’s internationally recognized blight elimination program, we are seeing unprecedented residential growth. Through this initiative, approximately 3,000 vacant and blighted properties have been demolished or rehabbed, spurring more than $107 million in private investment to create sustainable communities of choice across our city. And there are more cranes in the air now than at any time in the past decade, due to initiatives like my administration’s newly created Apartment Tax Credit, which enhances our city's already thriving market.
I am proud to say that Baltimore is better, safer, and stronger than we were a year ago. Though I am encouraged by our progress, our true metric for success will always rest in the faces of the residents I see every day. While we have made significant strides to build better police-community relationships, the despicable acts of a few bad actors have continued to tarnish all who wear the uniform; and, while there is growing confidence in Baltimore as a hub for economic growth, we must stay the course and continue to balance fiscal accountability with future investment.
Despite these challenges, I remain hopeful and determined, because I believe in this city’s resilience, and I understand that where there are challenges, there are also opportunities. Right now, Baltimore is primed for growth. We have more work to do, and I embark on 2015 ready to face our challenges and determined to expand on opportunities to improve outcomes.
I want to personally thank you for your continued support over the past year and for your help in making Baltimore a great place to grow. Together, I know we will realize an even better, safer, and stronger city in 2015!
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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
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Fireworks over Inner Harbor help ring in 2015 at Baltimore's New Year's Eve Spectacular. Photo by Mark Dennis.
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Budget Live!
Budget Live! is Baltimore City's newest place to interact with the City’s budget office and get involved in the Fiscal Year 2016 budget process. The page is designed to be interactive, giving you a chance gain a better understanding of the budget. Have a look at past and current budgets, try your hand at balancing the City’s finances, ask questions, and give us your two cents about how to spend the City's limited resources. To visit Budget Live! head to bbmr.baltimorecity.gov/budgetlive2016.aspx.
Homeless Point-in-Time Count Volunteers Needed
The Mayor’s Office of Human Services needs your help to conduct its annual Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Count during the week of January 25, 2015. The PIT Count advances The Journey Home—Baltimore’s plan to make homelessness rare and brief. Through the PIT Count, Baltimore City is able to identify individuals, families, and youth experiencing homelessness, in order to connect them with housing and support services. For more information or to register as a volunteer, visit www.journeyhomebaltimore.com/events.
National Aquarium Pay What You Want Day
Sunday, January 11, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
National Aquarium, 501 E. Pratt Street
The National Aquarium will host its first ever Pay What You Want Day, allowing Maryland residents to donate an amount of their choice for aquarium admission; add a 4-D immersion film for just $5. Donated funds will support the National Aquarium's conservation efforts. Tickets for this promotion must be purchased on-site at the National Aquarium box office. For more information, visit www.aqua.org/paywhatyouwant.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade
Monday, January 19, 12:00 pm
Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard
Baltimore City honors the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with regional marching bands, color guards, steppers, equestrian units, dance squads, civic organizations, and floats. The parade steps off at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and Eutaw Street and continues south on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. For more information, visit www.promotionandarts.org.
It's a Wonderful Life
Through January 4, Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
(closed Christmas Day)
Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory, 3100 Swann Drive
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks present the 2014 holiday poinsettia show, It's a Wonderful Life. Tour the conservatory and enjoy all the magic and whimsy of the holiday season. Santa Claus will visit the conservatory on Sunday, December 7, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm and Saturday, December 13, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. A fine selection of poinsettias will be available for purchase. For more information, visit www.rawlingsconservatory.com or call 410-396-0008.
ArtsCentric Presents “The Color Purple”
Through January 4, Fridays - Saturdays, 7:30 pm; Sundays, 5:00 pm
Boston Street Theater, 5625 O’Donnell Street (inside the Best Western Plus Hotel & Conference Center)
Join ArtsCentric for The Color Purple. Food and beverages will be available for purchase, beginning 90 minutes before the show. This production of The Color Purple is suitable for ages 12 and up. General admission is $25. For group rates, call Sequina DuBose at 410-241-9492 or email info@artscentric.net. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.artscentric.net or call 410-205-5130.
Maurice Sendak: The Memorial Exhibition
Through January 4, 2015
Enoch Pratt Free Library, Central Library, 400 Cathedral Street
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak: The Memorial Exhibition is a retrospective of original works by the late, great Maurice Sendak. The artwork is presented with heartfelt words from 50 extraordinary people whose lives were all touched by this beloved author and illustrator. The exhibition will appeal to all ages. For more information, visit calendar.prattlibrary.org.
It's a Waterfront Life
Through January 19, 2015
Inner Harbor
This year, the Waterfront Partnership's annual holiday campaign is even more robust—a new seasonal ice rink at McKeldin Plaza is sure to make this a holiday season to remember! Visitors to the waterfront will also find special events, discounts, and deals on all kinds of festive activities. Don't forget to get your picture with Santa Claus or to take in a holiday laser light show. For a complete listing, visit www.itsawaterfrontlife.org.
Waterfront Partnership Ice Rink
Through January 19, 2015
McKeldin Plaza, Inner Harbor
The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore is thrilled to bring the return of Baltimore's holiday ice rink. Enjoy ice skating, special programming, and events throughout the holiday season. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for children; bring your own skates or rent a pair for $3. For more information, visit www.itsawaterfrontlife.org.
Ice Rink Hours
- Monday: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday – Thursday: 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- Friday: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
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