Royal farms re-vote: A big thumbs-down

“I have this ‘thing’ against the city using neighborhood associations and other community organizations instead of contacting citizens directly. I have never understood why citizens have to pay a third party to be able to vote for or against an issue.”
– Bmorepanic

“If I remember rightly, Mr. Curran characterized those who showed up for the original vote as the ‘ones who cared to show.’ It’s HIS problem if he’s bothered by the angry reaction he received. Personally, I was entertained at the sight of an elected official yelling back at his constituents. . . hmm, just how many votes did he lose over this performance?”
– JS

“The Democratic Party machine in Baltimore has long used community associations to do its work, especially getting communities to fall in line for favored development.”
– Maria Allwine

“The residents of Westfield, Lauraville, Harford-Echodale Perring Parkway have just as much if not more at stake in this project. The Harford Road corridor is their neighborhood too. The increased traffic at an already dangerous FIVE way intersection puts undue burdens for all of us.”
– Jenna Fischetti
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Paterakis group seeks to restore a lucrative tax break for Harbor Point

“Had dinner at Wit and Wisdom last night. Nice view of the neighborhood. Couldn’t see a poor person anywhere.”
– Jack Sandberg

“But Wit and Wisdom wouldn’t have existed w/o tax breaks in the first place. Plus this tax thing is for a vacant Harbor Point. . . not the already-developed Harbor East.”
– Tom R

“This is the very opposite of a balanced approach to development. Harbor Point won’t possibly succeed if the rest of Baltimore is left to crumble. A super huge number of luxury units recently constructed (most with some form of subsidy) are currently sitting empty.”
– The Fire Next Time

“This is a huge tax revenue generator for the city. Looked at the tax credit again. . . . it’s only a 10 year credit on the INCREASE in property taxes. That means the developer always pays the base assessed value plus the increase in value. Any development on this lot will increase the value of the land and in turn generate more revenue/jobs for the city.”
– Tom R

“There are no assurances that any of the jobs that go to the working poor/average resident of Baltimore, will provide a living wage. What percentage of the housing at Harbor East is offered at affordable rates and what guarantees do we have about the affordability of Harbor Point? If Paterakis expects more subsidy, then average taxpayers should get some return. This city needs more leverage in its public-private partnerships.”
– The Fire Next Time

“it’s insane, immoral and frightening just how much money he is being paid by the City to build buildings that look good, fill up for 5 hours twice a week and have an permanent occupancy of 40%.”
– Lisa O’Reilly via Facebook

“Baltimore needs a land tax. In its purest form, the city would know exactly how much revenue it would get, the tax rate for all the new development would be zero and Mr. Paterakis would have all the incentive he could want.”
– Gerald Neily
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Inside City Hall: Mayor heads South

“This is how you build business relationships. I supposed she should pull a Willie Don and go fill a pot hole.”
– Steve

“I need a national agenda. Instead of Popeye’s, I could be going to New Orleans.”
– Mairzdoatz

“These appear to be the activities of a leader who knows the value of building relationships, promoting her city, seeking out new ideas and learning about best practices – activities of a leader with energy and initiative . . . Maybe not. Maybe it’s all  boondoggle travel. But since it’s perfectly possible to mind the store from the road, I’m all for the mayor hanging out with the likes of Michelle Obama and Cory Booker.”
– AH

“The mayor needs to be a promoter and cheerleader for the city, and put up a positive face of Baltimore. It’s big picture thinking. The mayor can’t just live the life of a soup kitchen nun and only rub shoulders with constituents and the most needy. . . in Baltimore I oftentimes get the feeling that some people want their mayor to bash the area’s largest and most important employers (Johns Hopkins, in particular) and snub business-minded persons and interests in a faux display of solidarity with the struggling worker or public assistance recipient.”
– City Slicker

“This is NOT a trip that benefits the citizens of BMore – So I’m sure that our Mayor will not be submitting the bill for US to pay for it!!! Her agenda, NOT ours!”
– Kim Trueheart
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In East Baltimore, friendly police and free groceries

“Thank you for being with us and giving a great story. Though there are tough days in Darley Park, there are also many good ones and amazing people.”
– Matt

“This puts the police in a positive light for me. Be a part of the community you police and you will see crime go down. In my line of work I deal with those who have fallen on hard times. They are amazing and their survival stories elevate and inspire.”
– Unellu

“Sick of it. . . more freebies for the so called poor. . . get job. . . get off welfare. . . now you got a free phone. . . call about a job. . . independance card. . . yea right. . . go buy your shrinp and stake . . . get a education and be something.”
– Mickey 111

“Mickey111–learn to spell instead of driving a stake through the heart of the poor–cook em some steak, kick your dependence on the ‘this is socialism’ dance, stop preaching independence – note spelling of independence – and if you got an education how come for you shrimp is shrinp, budget is budgit, taxes is taxs and “an” education is “a” education?”
– Unellu
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Another Baltimore Olympean to cheer for: Angel McCoughtry

“Wow she is all muscle – magnificent. And what determination on her face. Baltimore should be proud. There is so much hidden athletic and academic talent among the kids who are faced with less choices and opportunities. It is up to us to unearth, unravel and develop those hidden talents.”
– Unellu
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Royal Farms vote tomorrow: is “no” off the table?

“Don’t shoot a ‘gift horse’ in the mouth! Many in the community support the new Royal Farms. Everyone should not think it’s some conspiracy to allow a very nice store and a local company based in Baltimore replace a dilapidated old eyesore of a building!”
– Jack McDougle

“Jack, you obviously live nowhere near the location of the proposed store. Given your multiple posts on this topic on various forums, I suspect you are somehow employed by the marketing department of Royal Farms. . . Would you want a 24/7 store/gas station 50 feet from your front porch? People blaring car stereo noise at the gas station, cursing, hearing the gas and delivery truck and hearing the dumpster empty at all hours? I bet not. If so, maybe you will want to purchase our house in a few years.”
-LoriMaryAve

“How many stories must the Brew write about one single gas station? This isn’t even interesting. Some gas station wants to legally buy some abandoned land and build something that people will probably use. There is no alternative plan for this land other than it continuing to be empty. A few protesters are blowing it out of proportion.”
– andrew
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No “stalking horse bid” so far identified for Sparrows Point

“It could be curtains, it could be a fire sale, but it just may get picked up for REAL cheap so that the new owners have more money to get things going. Of course we could all be screwed as well. Thank you Mark and The Brew for yet another timely story. And the waiting continues!”
– Fordtrkfan

Guys and Gals, I work in the Wheeling Corrugating Louisville plant (which has a whopping 23 workers) and though it makes no sense, I’ve been hoping for my job to go under. I’ve been there 16 years and have grown completely tired of the ridiculous methods used by owners and management to get metal out the door. Believe me when I say I admire all the work you all did on the lines. You are the real deal, putting your butts on the line and risking it all for your families and the good of America. It is a sad day when a part of American heritage is put to rest for the sake of money.”
– Markallanreynolds
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Sparrows Point auction postponed until Aug. 7