The official newsletter of The Historic Charles Street Association - Issue 47 The HCSA is pleased to present our monthly "E-News" with current information on new business openings and exciting projects taking place in the Charles Street district. November 1, 2008 Fall Members Business Breakfast - On November 6, 2008 from 8:00 AM -10:00 AM, the HCSA will hold its annual complimentary Members Business Breakfast at the Tremont Grand, 225 North Charles Street. The program will feature two dynamic presentations: Mayor Sheila Dixon will deliver the keynote address "Charles Street: A World Class Main Street." Engine Performance will present the "Charles Street Branding Initiative" sharing valuable findings from their research on what Charles Street has always been and remains today, uniquely Baltimore. You will learn what exciting plans for our area are next, and how you can benefit. If you would like to attend please call: 410-332-4144 or email robin@charlesstreet.net. 301 North Charles Street - Will be redeveloped as a new 97-room Lifestyle hotel. The developer/owners want to get the project started by the end of 2008 and are working on securing financing.  Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden - A dedication and opening ceremony of the new garden was held on October 23, 2008. The mural for the exposed Franklin Street garage that will cover the parking garage façade, will be hung as soon as the City Board of Estimates approves the agreement between the Parking Authority and the Church. The Mechanic Theater - The newest plans for the Mechanic by Washington DC based architects Shalom Baranes, involve the theater's shell to be preserved in a mixed-use development with ground level retail, underground parking, and a 30-story tower with residential and hotel components. Design review started in October 2008. Façade Lighting Program - With the installation of new pedestrian lights on Charles Street from Madison Street to North Avenue, more property owners will be able to participate in BGE's Façade Lighting Program. This program allows building owners to brighten up their building facades and highlight many of the wonderful architectural details on Charles Street. The façade lights attach to the pedestrian poles and light up the buildings without the need to attach lights to historic structures. Examples of these lights can be seen at the Baltimore City Courthouse. For more information, please contact Kristin Speaker at 410-659-7767. The B&O Building - Located at 2 North Charles Street, is now being redeveloped as a Hotel Monaco. Approximately 2/3 of the building will be converted into 220 hotel rooms with the remainder staying as office space. The anticipated completion is February 2009. The project is reported to be on schedule. Streetscape Project - Recent construction has focused on the west side of the 1700 and 1800 blocks. Trees will soon be planted on the east side of Charles Street from Madison to North Ave.  Work will soon begin on the west side of the 800 block and will continue north. Construction is estimated to be completed in Spring 2009.  For more information, please contact Kristin Speaker at 410-659-7767. Holly Tour - Friends of Mount Vernon Place, organizers of the 2008 Holly Tour are expanding the event to include the First Annual Window Walk during which local merchants will compete for the best decorated window display. Merchants, retailers and restaurateurs from Mt. Vernon, historic Charles Street and Midtown will unveil their windows on November 29, 2008 to officially kick off the downtown holiday season. Judging for several categories including most creative window will occur during the House Tour Sunday, December 7, 2008. Retailers interested in decorating their windows can download the application from the website http://www.friendsofmountvernon.org/ or call Window Walk Chair David Wiesand at 410-539-4440. My Sister's Place Women's Center - The Women's Center at 17 West Franklin is anticipated to be fully operational November 20, 2008. Although they have had a wonderful response from community partners, individuals and local businesses, they are still in great need of volunteers for their weekday breakfast and dinner meals. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jackie Reid at 410-261-6762 or jreid@cc-md.org.  Superblock Project - The city has picked Lexington Partners LLC to begin a $250 million redevelopment of a portion of the superblock including retail, residential, and hotel components. Planning for the project at 201-221 Lexington Street is currently underway. The project encompasses 360 residential units, 400 parking spaces and up to 150,000 SF of retail space. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED The HCSA is committed to being the driving force behind many of the key initiatives to improve our community and ensure the Charles Street district remains safe and vital. These initiatives include advocating and problem solving for the businesses along Charles Street, addressing issues related to safety and security and filling empty storefronts. One of the primary responsibilities of The Historic Charles Street Association is advocacy and problem solving on behalf of its members. We are pleased to report the following; IN THE WORKS 1. Plans for the five-year branding and marketing campaign designed to promote Charles Street as a destination are on track. Engine Performance, a local marketing communications talent agency, has been hired to create the brand and develop the marketing strategy to attract more visitors to our restaurants, shops, galleries, cultural and educational institutions. The new brand will be unveiled at the annual members business breakfast on November 6, 2008. 2. The project to enhance the Verizon red doors in the 300 block of North Charles Street with graphic designs featuring Verizon Foundation's key initiatives is currently under review to determine the implementation date. 3. On-going removal of overflowing trash in back alleys. 4. Meeting with local restaurant owners and the City to bring a valet program to Charles Street. 5. The HCSA's retail committee continues to address the number of empty storefronts along the Charles Street corridor and to bring new retail concepts to the area. What can we do for you? WELCOME TO OUR NEW MEMBERS Abacrombie Fine Foods - 58 W. Biddle Street Chesapeake Design Group - 419 N. Charles Street Day Capital - 900 Cathedral Street REIT Management & Research LLC - 1145 19th Street NW, Washington DC MEMBER SPOTLIGHT The HCSA wishes to congratulate the following that were featured in City Paper's 2008 "Best of Baltimore": Koffee Therapy for Best Coffee Shop and The Prime Rib for Best Restaurant Service. COMING SOON TO CHARLES STREET... 320 North Charles Street - The law firm of Meringer, Zois & Quigg, LLC have recently settled on the building and will be moving their practice from Lombard Street to Charles Street by April 2009. Plans call for extensive renovations to the property which will include a reception area and conference room on the first floor. 333 North Charles Street -  The Dogwood Cafe will be opening the week of November 10, 2008 in The Women's Industrial Exchange. Initially, the cafe will be a limited cafeteria-style lunchroom, featuring baked goods, freshly made soups and delicious Dogwood signature sandwiches and salads. Plans also call for a juice and smoothie bar with all-natural freshly squeezed juices and smoothies. Dogwood will be managing its catering business out of The Exchange beginning with its holiday meal special - let the Dogwood make your holiday dinner to be picked up the day before. In the springtime, The Dogwood Cafe will open the lunchroom to full-scale. For information about Dogwood and its award-winning food, visit http://www.dogwoodbaltimore.com/. 413 North Charles Street - Joss Cafe, a new sushi restaurant is planning to open December 2008. The building is currently undergoing extensive interior and exterior renovations. When the project is complete, plans call for a sushi restaurant on two levels of the building, and three apartments on the upper floors. DID YOU KNOW? You can be updated on traffic information and road closures including Charles Street lane closures by going to http://www.getarounddowntown.com/.   REAL ESTATE OPPORTUNITIES If you are interested in buying or selling commercial or investments properties, contact Byrnes & Associates: 410-528-1236 or email kempbyrnes@verizon.net If you have available retail space for lease, email Nan Rohrer, Downtown Partnership's Retail Development Director: nrohrer@dpob.org For information on residential properties for sale and residential units for rent, retail and office space for lease, visit: MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services, LLC - http://www.mackenziecommercial.com/ Corridor Reznick LLC - http://www.corridorllc.com/ About The HCSA The mission of The Historic Charles Street Association is to make Charles Street a distinctive destination for visitors to the city and local residents through the support, retention, and promotion of commerce in our district. We are a tax-exempt charitable organization that serves businesses and property owners in the Charles Street district from the Inner Harbor to North Avenue who share our commitment to a unique and vibrant community. We are a devoted advocate for the betterment of The Historic Charles Street District and depend on the support of our members to continue to make an impact. For membership information please visit our website at www.charlesstreet.net Our members are always welcome to attend our monthly Executive Board Meetings which are held on the second Wednesday of every month at the Downtown Partnership, 217 N. Charles Street. If you are interested in attending, please email robin@charlesstreet.net Resources - (Who to call for what) Broken Glass on the street or sidewalk from Pratt Street to Centre Street - contact the Downtown Partnership (DPOB) at 410-244-1030. Above Centre Street - contact the Midtown Community Benefits District at 410-528-1512 City Services - 311 is Baltimore's new number to call for all city services. All calls to 311 go through a One Call Center, a 75-agent in-bound call and dispatch center manned 24 hours a day every day of the year. Exterior Building Signs or Banners - to begin the approval process for any exterior building sign or banner, a permit application needs to be filed at the permit counter, 417 E. Fayette Street, room 100. For more information call 410-396-3360 Facade Improvement Program - contact LaToya Staten (DPOB) at 410-244-1030 or lstaten@dpob.org Liquor Licenses - for assistance with all liquor license issues contact Bob Dengler (DPOB) at 410-605-0451 Malfunctioning Easy Park Meters - contact Robin Budish (HCSA) at 410-332-4144 Safety Escorts - anyone wishing to receive an escort while walking to their car or bus, or waiting for a taxi after dark should contact 410-244-8778 during business hours or 410-802.9631 after hours. Downtown Partnerships Public Safety Guides are available within the DMA District from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM seven days a week. Safety and Security Issues - for non-emergency situations in the Charles Street district, contact Deputy Major Joseph Conway at 410-396-2410 or email Joe.Conway@baltimorepolice.org Streetscaping above the monument - contact Kristin Speaker (CSDC) at 410-649-2052 The Homeless - for assistance with all issues regarding the homeless from Pratt Street to Centre Street contact Tom Yeager or Bertina Silver (DPOB) at 410-244-1030. Above Centre Street - contact the Midtown Community Benefits District at 410-528-1512 You are a valuable member of the HCSA and we welcome your input. Please send all comments and suggestions to: Robin Budish Executive Director p: 410-332-4144 fx: 410-332-4433 robin@charlesstreet.net