The official newsletter of The Historic Charles Street Association - Issue 56 Circulator Bus Delay As you may already know, delays with the Circulator bus system are due to production problems with the manufacturer.  According to Jamie Kendrick of the Department of Transportation, the new launch date for our particular Circulator route has been pushed back to December of this year.  There are three separate bus routes around the city, each with its own target date of operation.  As the third and last to roll, the Charles Street Circulator should be operating by the holiday season.  The good news . . . we should be kink-free!  For more information, please visit http://www.charmcitycirculator.com/ Charles Street Speaks Up! On September 16, HCSA will be speaking to local broadcast executives at the annual BBC Ascertainment Day.  The Baltimore Broadcasters Coalition, made up of television and radio station executives, invites elected officials and organizations like ours to this annual event so they can learn how to better serve the community by hearing directly from us -  off-the-record.  This is a wonderful opportunity for HCSA to share the problems, needs and interests of its members in the Charles Street corridor with broadcasters.  Please let us know if you have topics you would like raised by contacting Michele at 410-332-4144 or michele@charlesstreet.net. Crime Prevention Meeting To Be Announced HCSA is scheduling a crime prevention meeting in October. This informative session will address specific needs of HCSA members along the Charles Street corridor. Downtown Partnership's Tom Yeager routinely organizes training sessions for Downtown Management Authority and has agreed to extend this service to us.  Experts can tell us what crime preventative measures we should take in this community, well in advance of the holiday season.  This meeting will take place at the Downtown Partnership office.  Stay tuned for a date announcement.  In the meantime, let us know if you have any specifics you would like addressed by calling Michele at 410-332-4144 or michele@charlesstreet.net. Parking Discount at Franklin Street Garage HCSA has supply of discount coupons for the Franklin Street Garage available to its members.  If you are interested in being able to offer some of these to your customers, please contact Michele at 410-332-4144 or michele@charlesstreet.net. Survey Results - Extending Hours of EZ Park Meters As a follow up to last month's survey, the majority of those HCSA members who have responded feel strongly that the current EZ Park Meter hours of operation 10am-6pm are sufficient for business activity.  The Baltimore City Parking Authority has been discussing the possibility of extending the hours to 8pm based on the argument that residential cars parked at 6pm for the evening compromise business activity.  The Parking Authority wants to know what you think, and we are communicating your thoughts to them.  Please continue to send us your comments at michele@charlesstreet.net, or call Michele at 410-332-4144. Member News Abacrombie's Fine Foods Jesse Sandlin has put Charles Street on the map!  Thank you, Jesse, for representing Baltimore and congratulations on your appearance on Encore's Top Chef!  Learn more by visiting http://bravotv.com, and http://www.abacrombie.net/ for this great local inn and restaurant. First Unitarian Church of Baltimore  The Rev. David Carl Olson begins his tenure as minister in September. After a career in theatre and opera as a singer, actor, and director, Rev. Olson became a Unitarian Universalist minister and served most recently at the UU Church of Flint, Michigan. His creative vision brings together arts, ethics, and community building to encourage joy among people who seek to chart their own destinies and exhibit their collective power. For more information, please visit http://www.firstunitarian.net/. Rocchi Construction, Inc. is a new member of the HCSA!  We welcome them to our organization, and are pleased to have their support.  For more information, you can visit http://www.rocchiusa.com/. Visit Baltimore is the new name for BACVA (Baltimore Area Convention and Tourism Bureau) in effect since July 30th. Visit http://www.baltimore.org/.  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/ 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 http://www.charlesstreet.net/ Resources  Who to call? Broken Glass on the street or sidewalk from Pratt Street to Centre Street - contact LaToya Staten at the Downtown Partnership (DPOB) at 410-244-1030, or lstaten@dpob.org. Above Centre Street - contact the Midtown Community Benefits District at 410-528-1512 City Services - 311 is Baltimore's 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 Michele Coiron (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 Avon Mackel at 410-396-2410 or email avon.mackel@baltimorepolice.org 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: We wish to acknowledge and thank the following Masquerade on Charles 2009 Sponsors: Platinum Mask Sponsor: Baltimore's Tremonts Historic Venue and All-Suite Hotel Gold Mask Sponsor: Southern Management Corporation Bronze Mask Sponsor: Heath Design Group Michele Coiron Executive Director p: 410-332-4144 michele@charlesstreet.net