Forget It Jake, It's Baltimore

From the Balmer Sun, Mayor promises to revitalize downtown: Baltimore ‘Action Plan’ to ‘immediately enhance the appearance and atmosphere of downtown’

The revitalization of downtown Baltimore is poised to be the comeback story of our generation. We battled a pandemic that closed local businesses, decreased hotel occupancy rates and sidelined our downtown. Now, on the other side, we witness homegrown establishments — such as Crust by Mack, the Empanada Lady and Hood Fellas Bistro — opening in the heart of downtown. The new $40 million Lexington Market stands as a testament to Baltimore’s adaptability, reinvention, and growth opportunities, with an increase of Black-owned businesses to nearly 50% from 5% before the reopening. Through the Downtown BOOST Program, which seeks to support the long-term success of creative, Black-owned businesses, historical inequalities are being addressed head-on, providing businesses including Codetta Bakeshop and the Black Genius Art Show a fair opportunity to operate storefronts downtown.

Baltimore is nearing pre-pandemic levels of tourism. In 2022, domestic travel increased by 39%, bringing in $3.7 billion to Baltimore’s economy. The Greater Baltimore Committee is developing a 10-year, regional, economic-opportunity strategy to ignite sustained growth for the region. Baltimore is emerging as a winner, and downtown Baltimore is leading the way with an impressive $6.5 billion earmarked for development by 2028.

Recently, Baltimore was recognized as one of the 31 inaugural Tech Hubs, unlocking $75 million in federal investment and signaling rapid growth in key technology sectors. Additionally, the $1.2 billion allocated for capital investments in the Sports and Entertainment Complex, home to the Orioles and Ravens, who are both drawing full stadiums, is promising. Moreover, the plan to attract private investment and increase tourism around our stadiums beyond games will be an important boost to our downtown revitalization efforts. The $250 million newly renovated CFG Bank Arena consistently hosts sold-out events, drawing large crowds of eager visitors. Looking ahead, the redevelopment of Harborplace signifies the next chapter in Baltimore’s downtown renaissance. Transformation takes time, but we are already achieving significant victories together.

Downtown Baltimore is more than a collection of buildings; it is the economic engine for the entire city and region, creating jobs, fostering innovation and cultivating a sense of community that embodies our resilient, historic, entrepreneurial city. We have cultural experiences like the CIAA Basketball Tournament, Charm City Live Music Festival, and the Charles Street Promenade. We have organized creative events like the Downtown Partnership’s Roller Skating Rink at Hopkins Plaza and the Waterfront Partnership’s Baltimore by Baltimore festivals, showcasing our city’s vibrant arts, music and cultural scene.

Downtown Baltimore is more than a collection of buildings; it is the economic engine for the entire city and region, creating jobs, fostering innovation and cultivating a sense of community that embodies our resilient, historic, entrepreneurial city.

However, as we look forward to the future of downtown, we must prepare for challenges that could hinder progress. The demand for increased safety and the rise of remote work, leading to reduced demand for office space, require us to rethink the future of downtown. Although we have made significant progress in reducing homicides by over 20% and squeegeeing complaints by nearly 85%, enhancing public safety remains a top priority. To ensure the success of these unprecedented investments and address the real challenges we face, my administration has brought together business and community organizations to develop a comprehensive plan that takes immediate action and prioritizes projects aimed at stabilizing the region’s economic engine while paving the way for sustainable change.

Tonight, I will unveil the Downtown Action Plan: Downtown RISE (Roadmap for Investment, Support, and Equity), and announce a set of actions that will immediately enhance the appearance and atmosphere of downtown. In the coming weeks and months, the project team will introduce key strategies and initiatives to revitalize our downtown core, engage a wider group of stakeholders and release a comprehensive plan in early 2024.

The time is now to unlock the full potential of our downtown and envision a future where every block, alley and square foot of our city embodies the promise of the best that Baltimore has to offer. Together, let’s embark on this journey toward a brighter, more vibrant Baltimore. We invite you to explore the details and sign up for updates at DowntownBaltimoreRISE.com.

I guess you shouldn't be mayor if you don't think you can make it better, but I'm skeptical enough to withhold judgement for now. Good luck, Mayor. 

Oregon, My Oregon

 From WaEx, Oregon residents increasingly support repealing decriminalization of drugs: Poll

A majority of Oregon residents support repealing a law that decriminalized hard drugs within the state, a reversal of the position's passage after three years.

A poll commissioned by the Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions surveyed registered Oregon voters to measure public attitudes toward Measure 110, a voter-passed measure in 2020 that decriminalized the possession of hard drugs in favor of expanding addiction treatment options as funded by the state's cannabis tax.

Measure 110 decriminalized small amounts of drugs such as heroin and other street drugs shortly before fentanyl burst onto the scene as a highly addictive and dangerous synthetic opiate alternative. Fifty-six percent of respondents said that they wanted to see Measure 110 repealed completely, while 45% said the measure should be left as is.

Voters also supported repealing parts of the measure to bring back penalties for possessing small amounts of drugs.

The measure has reportedly had adverse effects on the community, according to respondents. Fifty-four percent of respondents claimed that it increased homelessness in their communities, while 50% said it decreased safety in their communities.

One piece of the legislation designed to alleviate the knock-on effects of drug use was a small $100 fine for violations or an opportunity to have the citation dismissed if someone called a state hotline to help them get screened for substance abuse treatment. However, since the law went into effect in February 2021, 5,540 violations for possession have been filed, and most of the people who have been cited have either ignored the fine or failed to call the hotline.

Measure 110 was approved by voters in the 2020 elections with 58% of the vote. A number of drug policy reform advocates, including the Drug Policy Alliance, supported the measure. They argued the legislation would help those afflicted with addiction to get actual help rather than penalize them unnecessarily.

The greatest concentration of support for the measure came from voters in and around Portland from the state's 1st Congressional District. On the other side of the vote, residents of Oregon's rural and far more conservative 2nd Congressional District were the biggest opponents of the initial measure.

Drug legalization sounds like a good idea, until you actually try it.

So it only took 3 years to see the error of their ways? That's encouraging/ 

Forget It Jake, It's Baltimore

 Fox 45 Downtown Baltimore grapples with plummeting property values amid urban exodus

The struggle to revive downtown Baltimore appears to be deepening.

The recent sale of the 30-story building at One South Street sold for a fraction of its value in 2015. Eight years ago, the building sold for $66 million. Last month, new owners purchased the building for $24 million.

The values of downtown property took another hit last month when the city reduced the assessed value of a building at 100 East Pratt Street, currently home to T. Rowe Price. The building had been assessed at $171.4 million. When owners appealed, the city reduced the assessed value to $93.65 million.
 
"The property values are declining rather rapidly," said Economist Anirban Basu, President of the Sage Policy Group.

Basu says companies, which are desperately searching for staff and safety, are moving out of downtown and predicts the city's tax base will suffer. "The only way for Baltimore to get out of this quandary is to grow its tax base, to add taxpayers, not subtract from that," said Basu.

Well, nobody wants to live there because of crime, etc. What are you going to do in an city with 14,000 empty houses? It looks like Baltimore is headed down the same road Detroit took.