Citizens of Pigtown
900 Block Proposal – Result of Resident Vote
Thank you for voting on the 900 block proposal.
Resident comments – in favor and against – collected from the survey below: I don't like how open-ended the proposal is. I don't like
that when the market recovers we're locked into this developer.
You voted 87.6% to 12.4% in favor of supporting the 900 block proposal. 121 residents voted. COP will issue a letter of support for the proposal as it currently stands.
Thanks to all who took the time to speak up for the future of our neighborhood by voting. You left great comments and sent in great questions. COP will release the letter of support on our website and Facebook page when it's ready to send.
View resident comments collected from the survey after the jump.
I could support the proposal as far as renovating the two properties into single family dwellings, but I oppose the idea of paving over the lots after the building have been demolished. Pigtown needs more open, green space, not a patch of concrete.
I would really like for these buildings to be demolished and for us to move forward in making Pigtown a more beautiful place, particularly on our mainstreet. Thank you for this effort in moving forward.
Really hope to see this effort move forward. It's falling down and is a huge eye sore. We want to improve our neighborhood through development.
i'd be excited to see that stretch get cleaned up! let's do it :)
I am concerned that the community was not given a longer period of time to consider the bid proposal. I hope community members can see past the immediate outcome (building razed) of the proposal and see that it has no guarantee for anything more in the future. Is there professional documentation that the building is in too bad of shape to be rehabilitated? I'm not against razing it and starting over. I would like to see BDC do its job and sell the property to a buyer with financial ability and a contract for commercial development.
For years we've been complaining about that building and asking for it to be leveled. If the city government refuses to do it, and a developer wants to do it, why is there any opposition at all? Sometimes "something" really is better than "nothing". That building wrecks the entire main street. Voting against this because of uncertainties about what'll happen to the property years down the line is ridiculous and it makes our entire neighborhood leadership lose credibility.
This appears to be a good proposal and will improve the current look of the area.
Would like to see some sort of plan or agreement between the property developer and the neighborhood to ensure the property is kept clean. I am happy a private developer has taken this initiative.
I am rarely in favor of tearing down any dated Baltimore structure. I totally believe in renovation of these buildings to protect the integrity of the block. To often vacant lots become an eye-sore in the community. There are too many examples of this in Baltimore to allow in to happen in Pigtown. Preserve what our friends have left behind.
That building has been an eyesore since I moved to this neighborhood. Knocking it down will do wonders for the main street!
There is just not enough detail for me to vote yes.
I want to see it all turned into greenspace.
Unless we're able to see if this developer is financially able to complete the project in a reasonable amount of time, I'm against it. I'm concerned about the fact that he already owns properties in the neighborhood that have been left idle and blighted.
The only concern is the creation of open space. It needs to be a space that will contribute to the neighborhood and not become a hangout for drugs and prostitution. Much consideration needs to be given to its appearance and use. Since it is on Wash Blvd, it will be seen by everyday by many. We want a space that is inviting and appealing.
I'd like a grocery, eventually!
Neil Katz is a developer who is very enthusiastic about the Pigtown neighborhood and committed to working with the community. Here is an opportunity for the community to support a project which will take properties which have blighted a very visible intersection in Pigtown and gateway to the city and develop these properties to be positive and thriving.
What the developer has said is nice, but there is absolutely nothing binding him to do what he has promised nor is there any indication that it will be a part of any sale document. He does not live here and he will not have to deal with the problems that will be caused by a vacant lot that is 100% unattended. There is nothing requiring him to consult with the community - he says that now to facilitate a sale but he is doing this to make money and when push comes to shove, there is no indication that he'll pick the best interests of the community over his money.
The developer has all the answers we want to hear, but there is no proof and legal recourse that he will have to follow through with his promises. Also, I don't believe that creating more rental properties in the neighborhood will improve the community, we need homeowners who are here for the long haul.
The sooner the better. This property has been an eyesore for to many years and is beyond restoration.
"I think that the buildings should be demolished as they have no redeeming qualities architecturally or historically. However I think that a paved lot is not acceptable. A paved lot will just encourage loitering and produce harmful runoff. The BDC should encourage and promote plans that are a long term benefit to the community. Another vacant lot in Pigtown is hardly an improvement. The developer should be required to demolish the buildings, haul off all debris, and re-mediate the soil. If there is no long term plans the site should become a community vegetable garden or a park that displays sculptures, a skate park, a minature golf course, or a horseshoe pits.
If the BDC does not sell the lots perhaps they should implement one of these plans with city funds."
Please ensure all wok i adequately bonded and secured on inception. Also, I would like to see a firm commitment on when work is going to begin.
"As a past board member of both COP and the COP Main Street Development program i was saddened to know that the first two rounds of proposals (and subsequent approval of the last) did not come to fruition, however am happy to know that COP is actively working to improve our ""Main Street"" along Washington Blvd. However, a have concerns. Was this proposal worked through the COP Community Board or the COP Main Street Development program? Those board members of the latter are residents of the community, however are versed in the intent of what both the state and federal ""Main Street"" program has to offer and what it's trying to achieve.
Under the ""Main Street"" program, the current proposal only achieves the elimination of blight on Washington Blvd. It addresses no other goals of the program; specifically the establishment of business along the ""Main Street"" corridor. Actually, it works against that goal by the development of two single-use structures as single-family residences. Additionally, the leveling of a major portion of properties, although creating ""green"" space would bring about other problems. Lastly, the approval of this proposal as submitted would send a message to all developers that Pigtown is available for the taking. Specifically, the developer could come into our community and obtain property at a discounted or subsidized rate, remove the structure utilizing city and state grants (to eliminate blight), and then hold the properties in abeyance until they, not the community, feel its time to develop the lots - ultimately with maximum profits in mind. This is completely contrary to the intent of the ""Main Street"", BDC, and community programs and should not be supported."
I would like to know how they are actively searching for proposed tenants for the commercial space? Who is their target client and demographics? What group are they working with to locate a commercial client?
"There should be some limit, say 10 years, on the length of time the lot can remain vacant. After that, returns to City/BDC, with some possible payment to developer.
Paving/planting of temporary empty lot should be environmentally sensitive."
It'll be good to see that eyesore down!
Developer is telling us what we want to hear. He has let 1240 and 1236 Cross Street decay and done nothing as they literally fall apart until he wanted to buy this 900 block. Don't trust him to do what he is promising now.
A community garden would be a good use once the lot is vacant.
