The official newsletter of The Historic Charles Street Association - Issue 49 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. March 1, 2009 It's Party Time - On March 21, 2009 the HCSA will hold its third annual fundraising event, Masquerade on Charles at the beautiful Tremont Grand, 225 North Charles Street. This year's theme is Truman Capote's Black and White Ball of 1966; once noted as the famed "Party of the Century".  The proceeds of this event will fund many important initiatives that support the businesses and institutions along the Charles Street corridor. Guestswill dance the night away with the sounds of The Junkyard Saints, and enjoy an open bar plus sumptuous foods from Charles Street areas' finest restaurants and caterers. Silent and live auctions will offer historic Baltimore memorabilia, fine gifts, and entertainment packages. Masks are highly encouraged, but not required, with a prize for the most creative mask that evening. Masquerade on Charles will be very exciting with the addition of our Champagne on the Rocks event sponsored by Nelson Coleman Jewelers who will drop 198 Cubic Zirconia's & 2 diamonds into 200 glasses of champagne (one in each glass). Guests will be able to purchase a glass of champagne at $50 and in return, will receive a $100 gift certificate to Nelson Coleman Jewelers. For more information call: 410-332-4144 or visit http://www.masqueradeoncharles.com/. Charles Street Traffic Stats - During the lunchtime hour, about 550 cars drive on the 300 block of Charles Street. During the 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM rush hour, about 1100 cars drive the same block. For an entire, 24-hour weekday about 10,000 cars drive on this portion of Charles Street. There are also several thousand people who ride through this block on buses every day. It's a Parade! - The 53rd Annual Saint Patrick's Day Parade will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2009. This parade has been called the jewel in Maryland's emerald crown. Thousands of people will crowd the streets and the sidewalks of the Charles Street corridor to watch the parade which celebrates Irish culture, music, song, and dance. The parade will begin at 2:00 PM at the Washington Monument and end at President Street. Parking restrictions will be posted 48 hours in advance with enforcement/towing commencing early that morning. Charles Street will be closed to traffic around 12:45 PM. For more information and a schedule of events visit http://www.saintpatricksdayparade.com/. Barnes & Noble Superstore coming to UB - The University of Baltimore recently announced that a Barnes & Noble College Booksellers Superstore will serve as the anchor of the retail portion of $77 million The Fitzgerald at UB Midtown, a major residential and retail development located on a University of Baltimore-owned parcel at the intersection of Mt. Royal Avenue and Oliver Street in midtown Baltimore. The store, featuring 20,000 square feet of retail space on two levels, a Starbucks-branded café, and designated areas for UB textbook and institutional sales, is expected to open for business in fall 2010. Lead developer The Bozzuto Group joined UB in announcing the plans for the store. Call for Judges - The Maryland Humanities Council invites you to serve as a judge for the 2009 Maryland History Day competition on Saturday, April 25, 2009, from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. The event is hosted by the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Middle and high school students are developing research projects in local, United States, and world history this year for the Maryland History Day competition around the theme "The Individual in History: Actions and Legacies." Register online to judge at Maryland History Day!  http://md.nhd.org/register Pope John Paul II Prayer Garden - The City Law Department recently approved the Right of Entry agreement, which now awaits the approval of the Board of Estimates - the final regulatory step before the banner that will cover the Franklin Street parking garage façade can be installed. Land Bank Authority - Baltimore housing officials are pushing the establishment of a nonprofit Land Bank Authority to streamline the sale of city-owned vacant properties. Properties for sale would be listed online and could be sold without the Board of Estimates approval. Baltimore City Department of Planning - Thomas J. Stosur has been appointed the new Director of the Baltimore City Department of Planning. Stosur comes from the Mayor's Office, and has worked with a variety of City departments, including the Office of Sustainability, the Department of Public Works, and the Parking Authority. Farewell Message - As many of you may know, I am leaving the Historic Charles Street Association effective March 31, 2009. I have thoroughly enjoyed my five and a half years as executive director and feel very proud of the work we have done together. The HCSA has experienced significant growth in many areas over the years as a result of your on-going support and for that, I am most grateful. I wish the organization all the best going forward and have complete confidence that the important work we do on your behalf, will continue. I look forward to maintaining many of the relationships I have had the privilege of developing over the years and hope our paths will cross again in the future. 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. 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. A decision should be reached spring 2009. 2. On-going removal of overflowing trash in back alleys. 3. Meeting with local restaurant owners and the City to bring a valet program to Charles Street. 4. 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? STREET SMARTS One of the more prevalent crimes in the downtown area is, using the police department terminology, Larceny from Vehicle.  This includes the actual or attempted "theft of article from vehicle" and/or "theft of vehicle accessory." A recent article in The Sun cited police reports that 74 vehicles in the Inner Harbor and Federal Hill areas were broken into in the first two weeks of 2009. The last thing that any of us wants to see is a pile of shattered glass next to our car because someone has broken out a window to gain access.  According to police, it takes only 10 seconds for a thief to take anything you left in your car. Everything from CDs to cassette tapes, gym bags to sunglasses, and even small change can be tempting. One of the most important things you can do is leave the car empty. Leaving the car's cigarette lighter out of its socket is a sure sign that you have a cellular phone. Cell phones account for more than 60% of all car break-ins. So, put your lighter back in its socket. These are little things we can do to help to make our cars less appealing. Always be vigilant and report suspicious behavior.  HAVE YOU HEARD? XS located at 1307 N. Charles Street, now has a new ultra sleek sunken, bi-level lounge. Adjacent to the bar, now exists an entrance to the 500 square-feet chamber of tiger stranded bamboo floors and a 30-foot long paprika colored padded wall. The new space displays a variety of finished hardwoods, revealing a geometric wall housing over 100 wines and sakes. The opposite side offers a candle lit fireplace with surround lounge seating, a custom made flowing stone fountain, and a steel I-Beam mantel. Also, XS has released its most creative beverage menu yet, Sips&Sweets. Expect to experience creative, original cocktails & mocktails, fresh desserts made from scratch and an expanded wine & sake selection. 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