The official newsletter of The Historic Charles Street Association - Issue 48 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. December 1, 2008 Fall Members Breakfast Review - The HCSA would like to thank all our members and guests who attended the HCSA's annual Business Breakfast on November 6, 2008 at the Tremont Grand, Baltimore MD. The program featured two dynamic presentations: Engine Performance presented the "Charles Street Branding Initiative" and shared valuable findings from their research on what Charles Street has always been and remains today, uniquely Baltimore. Deputy Mayor, Carolyn Blakeney delivered the keynote address "Charles Street: A World Class Main Street." All attendees enjoyed having the opportunity to network and to learn more about plans to keep our historic district safe, vital and vibrant. No Parking? No Problem! - In an effort to attract more people to Charles Street, the HCSA has been working with the Parking Authority of Baltimore City to extend the Discount Parking Program at the Franklin Street Garage through December 31, 2008. Discounted parking rates will be offered on evenings (after 4:00 PM) and weekends. During the trial discount program, parking during evenings and weekends will be free for the first hour and only $2 (with a coupon distributed by the HCSA and local businesses) for up to the next 24 hours. The cost without a coupon will be $4.00. For more information or to request discount parking coupons please email robin@charlesstreet.net. A Monumental Occasion - the 37th Annual Lighting of the Washington Monument presented by Saul Ewing, LLP and the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore will be held on December 4, 2008. The festivities in historic Mount Vernon Place include choir performances, food vendors, strolling entertainment, celebrity appearances, and a spectacular fireworks finale. The event which is free, begins at 6:00 PM, lighting ceremony begins at 7:00 PM, lighting and fireworks approximately 7:20 PM. Visit www.GoDowntownBaltimore.com. Supported by Monumental Life. Mount Vernon Place Conservancy - Mayor Sheila Dixon recently announced the formation of a major public-private partnership for the restoration and future management of Mount Vernon Place, with the launch of the new Mount Vernon Place Conservancy, the first park conservancy organization in Baltimore's history. Included in the restoration will be the upgrading of all electric and water service, restoration of highly deteriorated and damaged marble, increasing access for the disabled and enhancing much of the current landscaping. "The Conservancy will bring Mount Vernon Place to the highest standards of urban parks and gardens," said Dr. Lance Humphries of Baltimore, the country's leading expert on the history of the squares of Mount Vernon Place. "It has all the architectural elements to be a great urban space and a fascinating and important history that includes visits by presidents and foreign leaders who recognized its beauty and its importance to the country as a symbol of the ideals of American democracy." The Fitzgerald at UB Project - The Bozzuto Group has secured financing and started construction on The Fitzgerald at UB Midtown complex. The project includes 280 luxury apartments, 14,000 square feet of retail, and a 1,245-space parking garage. The project is expected to be completed in Fall 2010. Streetscape Project - In the coming weeks, the contractor will be installing conduit in the 800, 900 and 1000 blocks of Charles Street. Granite curbs are being installed in the 1000 block, and paver work is moving forward in the 1300 blocks. Crews will be installing curbs and pavers in the corners of the 1700 and 1800 blocks. Trees will soon be planted on the east side of Charles Street from Madison to North Avenue, and the street will be repaved in the 1700 and 1800 blocks. For more information, please contact Kristin Speaker at 410-659-7767. My Sister's Place Women's Center - The Women's Center at 17 W. Franklin Street is now officially open! The Center is providing three meals a day, seven days a week to the women and children of Baltimore along with many other services. They are still in need of volunteers for their weekday breakfast and dinner meals. Other volunteer opportunities include workshop facilitators, laundry assistance, organizing holiday donations, and more. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Jackie Reid at 410-659-3763 or jreid@cc-md.org. 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. 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 was unveiled at the HCSA's 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 remains under review. 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 Caribou Coffee - One North Charles Street Edison Properties LLC - 100 W. Fayette Street NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK... 333 North Charles Street - The Dogwood Café has officially opened 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/. 904 North Charles Street - Marie Louise Bistro has opened in the former Gampy's Restaurant location. The large interior restaurant space has 18-foot high tin ceilings and plans call for additional outdoor seating. COMING SOON TO CHARLES STREET... 413 North Charles Street - Joss Cafe, a new sushi restaurant is planning to open on or before January 2009. 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. 529 North Charles Street - A proposed 7-Eleven convenience store is planning to open a new location at the former Buttery restaurant, southeast corner of Charles and Centre streets. HAVE YOU HEARD? 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