Baltimore Fishbowl Staff, Author at Baltimore Fishbowl

Last week, we shared news about the City of Baltimore planning to end its contract with the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts; findings from the Waterfront Partnership’s latest Healthy Harbor report; and an update about Foreman and Wolf’s The Duchess restaurant coming soon to Hampden.

Revisit the stories here:

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“I had to let the reality of where we are now in the city guide my pastoral strategy…” — Father Evan Ponton, associate pastor, Shrine of the Little Flower. Credit: Brigette Paffenback

“A City to Come: Anger and Acceptance at the Shrine of the Little Flower“: The Shrine of the Little Flower is one of six churches in Northeast Baltimore to be closed in a restructuring plan.

Restaurateur Tony Foreman walks outside the soon-to-open and newly painted Duchess restaurant in Hampden. Photo by Ed Gunts.

“Signs that the much-anticipated Duchess restaurant is getting closer to opening in Hampden“: Foreman and Wolf Group’s The Duchess restaurant, which will replace the former Cafe Hon in Hampden, shows signs it’s getting closer to opening, including an open call for job interviews.

SodexoMagic Vice President of Business Development and Account Management Donna Ford speaks at Morgan State University’s 40th Annual Homecoming Gala, with Morgan State University President David Wilson in the background. Courtesy photo.

“Basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. pledges $1M to Morgan State University“: Basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. has pledged $1 million to Morgan State University to support its Earl G. Graves School of Business & Management.

Properties on West Fayette Street have been torn down after a partial collapse last month. Photo by Ed Gunts.

“Baltimore Development Corporation terminates agreement with group that wanted to redevelop ‘Superblock’“: The Baltimore Development Corporation has terminated its agreement with Westside Partners LLC, the group that proposed to build a $150 million to $200 million mixed-use project called The Compass using 18 city-owned parcels on the west side of downtown.

“Hot House: This Norman Revival home looks plucked right out of the French countryside“: Built in 1939, this Norman Revival house retains many of its original charming features, like a spiral staircase and steep rooflines.

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Artscape in Baltimore, Maryland on August 2, 2024. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC)

“Baltimore to end contract with BOPA, citing organization’s financial issues“: The City of Baltimore will terminate its contract with the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, the organization in charge of putting on Artscape, the Baltimore Book Festival, and certain other city events.

Baltimore residents jump into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor at the 2024 Harbor Splash on June 23, 2024. Photo by Maggie Jones.

“Waterfront Partnership report gives harbor’s ecosystem health a C grade, highlighting sewer and stormwater impacts“: While Baltimore’s harbor remains swimmable, the waterway’s health continues to be impacted by sewage overflows, stormwater runoff, and trash pollution, according to the Waterfront Partnership’s annual Harbor Heartbeat report card released on Thursday.

A rendering depicts the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s planned School of Social Work building. Credit: Ballinger.

“UMB breaks ground for $120M, six-story building to house School of Social Work“: Representatives of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) held a ceremonial groundbreaking on Thursday for their next major campus building, a $120 million, six-story home for the School of Social Work at 600 W. Lexington Street.

Screenshot from Maryland Zoo YouTube video.

“Maryland Zoo’s new attraction? The parking lot!“: The Maryland Zoo has overhauled its parking lot to provide what they’re calling a “superior experience” for guests, whether people drive, bike, or walk to see their favorite creatures and critters.

Monday Morning Headlines: What’s next for pre-K expansion in Md.?; Juvenile Services chief responds to calls for his ouster; Human skull found in Towson; and more.

Baltimore Fishbowl Staff — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:30:46 +0000

What’s next for pre-K expansion in Maryland? – The Sun

DJS Secretary Schiraldi responds to calls for his ouster – WBAL-TV

Security Blvd. lanes to close for construction – WBAL News Radio

Baltimore among cities with highest delinquency rates – NottinghamMD.com

Human skull found in Towson in wooded area near cemetery – WBAL News Radio

Bay Bridge lane closures scheduled – FOX Baltimore/WBFF-TV

Friday Afternoon Headlines: Hogan approved millions for stepmother’s land development; Baltimore Palestinian-owned shop receives threatening packages; McDonogh School sued again under Child Victims Act; and more.

Baltimore Fishbowl Staff — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 21:28:39 +0000

As governor, Hogan approved millions for stepmother’s property development – Time

‘Worry for my family’s safety’: Palestinian-American business owner receives threatening packages — WBAL

Second Child Victims Act lawsuit filed against McDonogh School — The Daily Record

‘Nobody likes to get stood up’: Why more Baltimore restaurants are charging fees for canceled reservations — The Baltimore Sun

High school vaping fell in state, nation; advocates say more needs to be done — Maryland Matters

Howard County man allegedly joining ISIS terror organization arrested at BWI, FBI says — WJZ

BOPA responds to Mayor Brandon Scott’s decision to terminate the city’s contract with the agency

Baltimore Fishbowl Staff — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 19:03:50 +0000

The Interim Board Executive Committee of the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts (BOPA) responded on Friday to Mayor Brandon Scott’s recent decision to terminate the city’s contract with the independent arts agency in the next 90 days.

Mayor’s Office representatives said this week that the city’s Board of Estimates will be asked at its Nov. 6 meeting to terminate the contract between the city and BOPA and that the Mayor’s Office will find other ways to support Baltimore’s arts community.

The agency receives city funds for producing some of the city’s major events and festivals, including Artscape, the Baltimore Book Festival and the July Fourth and New Year’s Eve fireworks shows at the Inner Harbor. It also serves as Baltimore’s Arts Council and Film Office and provides staff support for the city’s Public Art Commission.

A letter sent on Wednesday from the Mayor’s Office to BOPA cited “persistent financial difficulties that have come to light in recent months that have led us to conclude that [terminating the contract] is the best course of action to ensure the long-term sustainability of our city’s arts and cultural programming.”

In response, members of BOPA’s Interim Board Executive Committee issued a letter saying they believe “there remains a vital need for an independent arts organization, separate from City Hall, that can champion Baltimore’s arts community,” and that BOPA is “well-positioned to play that role.”

The letter was addressed to “Our Creative Community” and signed by Interim Board Executive Committee members Andrew Chaveas, Lady Brion, Angela Wells-Sims and April Lewis. It reads as follows:

TO OUR CREATIVE COMMUNITY:

As an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the designated arts council for the City of Baltimore, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) remains deeply committed to the artists, cultural institutions, and creative community of Baltimore. Despite the City’s decision to terminate its contract with us, BOPA’s mission to support and elevate the arts will continue to guide our work. We want to be transparent with you, our valued creatives, about the steps we have taken to ensure the organization’s stability and future success. We also want to be clear about the concern we hold for how the decision to terminate the contract, without a clear plan of how to manage a 90-day transition, places our organization and the arts community at extreme risk.

HOW WE GOT HERE

In March 2024, the organization’s new CEO and interim board inclusive of representatives from the Mayor’s Office was charged with identifying and understanding the existing challenges as well as creating a strategic path forward to ensure the stability and sustainability of BOPA. As part of that, the organization hired an outside accounting firm to review the financials dating back to 2019. We have always maintained transparency with the City. Throughout that process, both the board, which includes designees of the Mayor’s Office, and the organization’s designated City representative were involved in discussions regarding our cash position and long-term financial management strategy. And when preliminary financial details were disclosed to the press absent full context, leading to misinformation and confusion for many, we expanded those conversations to include additional senior members of the Mayor’s administration.

Members of our Executive Committee met with the Mayor’s Office and left with the understanding that the City no longer desired to continue its relationship with BOPA in its current form, largely due to public discussions surrounding our finances. We acknowledged that some elements of the City contract placed a strain on stabilizing the organization and we agreed a transition of services would be necessary. However, we explained that our cash position could be resolved if the City released payments aligned with the timing of our expenses, noting that the current quarterly payment structure was a contributing factor. We proceeded to work in good faith that a collaborative outcome might be achieved.

WEDNESDAY’S EVENTS

At Wednesday’s board meeting, we presented a balanced cash flow through the end of the contract term, reflecting a proper payment cycle for services and resolving past due receipts. We expected a smooth transition of responsibilities and held out optimism of engaging in negotiations around what a new relationship with the City might look like.

We are concerned by the timing of the City’s notification just hours after our board approved a responsible path forward, a path that was approved by the Mayor’s representatives on our board. This reduces what could have been a productive and responsible 8-month transition to 90-days – without any indication of a plan on how to maintain the services provided by BOPA – places the arts community at significant risk and impacts the Interim Board’s ability to support a healthy transition in their volunteer capacity. This is concerning for our arts ecosystem.

THE FUTURE & OUR COMMITMENT

That said, we believe there remains a vital need for an independent arts organization, separate from City Hall, that can champion Baltimore’s creative community. We are well-positioned to play that role, and we are dedicated to ensuring that Baltimore’s arts ecosystem thrives with the support of an organization focused solely on advancing arts and culture in the city.

Over the last several months, we have identified new opportunities for growth and sustainability. We are optimistic about the road ahead and are committed to reimagining how we best serve the arts community moving forward.

We have advocated for our artists and stakeholders, and continue to do so, ensuring that Baltimore remains a thriving hub for creativity and cultural expression. We are grateful for your continued support and partnership as we work together to secure a bright future for the arts in Baltimore.

We share your concerns about the absence of a clear plan accompanying the City’s letter of termination and your uncertainty around the future of our current arts programming, facilities, exhibitions, and potential loss of necessary institutional knowledge. We also share in your concerns around the future of the State’s arts council designation. As we continue to advocate for the arts, we remain hopeful that an independent arts organization can safeguard the future of Baltimore’s cultural landscape.

In creativity,

Interim Board Executive Committee

Andrew Chaveas

Lady Brion

Angela Wells-Sims

April Lewis

Friday Morning Headlines: Social equity cannabis licenses awarded; Fire in vacant building closes some downtown streets; Baltimore ranks 3rd for local food availability; and more.

Baltimore Fishbowl Staff — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 11:30:00 +0000

More than 200 social equity cannabis licenses awarded – The Sun

Vacant building fire shuts down some downtown streets – WBAL-TV

Second teen arrested in connection with homicide in Columbia – WBAL News Radio

Howard County is in need of crossing guards – WMAR-TV

Baltimore ranks as 3rd-best city to buy local food – Patch.com

37 shots fired in Union Square as residents grapple with drug market – FOX Baltimore/WBFF-TV

Thursday Afternoon Headlines: Warrant for Ravens fan seen assaulting Commanders fans in video; 8X10 music venue is for sale; Concerns over events after Baltimore moves to end contract with BOPA; and more.

Baltimore Fishbowl Staff — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 21:35:26 +0000

Warrant issued for Ravens fan seen assaulting Commanders fans in viral video — The Baltimore Sun

Longtime music venue hits the market for $450K — Baltimore Business Journal

Baltimore art students concerned about future events after city moves to cut ties with BOPA — WJZ

Tens of millions pour into Maryland Senate race in past three months alone — Maryland Matters

Several adaptive sport athletes prepare for Baltimore Running Festival — WBAL