SouthBMore.com stopped by the Citizens of Pigtown meeting at the Bathhouse on Washington Blvd. last night to see what’s going on in the neighborhood (just don’t call it Washington Village!)
Problem Bar
A bar on the 1400 block of Washington Blvd. has been causing serious concerns for the neighborhood. The place is full of fights that often spill onto the street. It also stinks of bad seafood throughout the spring and summer and there have been rat problems caused by the trash. However, the place is only averaging one 911 call a month, which is not enough to get things done. The neighborhood is looking for other avenues to go after the bar including health code enforcement.
Live Baltimore
Steven Gondol, executive director of Live Baltimore, stopped by to tell the neighborhood about their Buying Into Baltimore West $4,000 Incentive. Live Baltimore will be providing $4,000 towards the purchase of a house in West Baltimore (MAP). This includes the local areas of Pigtown, Hollins Market, Union Square, Ridgely’s Delight, Barre Circle and all of SoWeBo.
Live Baltimore will be popping up in Southwest Baltimore at an undisclosed location on April 11th. They want members of the different neighborhoods to give a presentation and mingle with the perspective buyers. The goal is to sell them on your neighborhood and let them know about the local amenities. Live Baltimore is proud of the work that has been done in Pigtown.
New Businesses
A Zips Dry Cleaners is now open on Washington Blvd. at the shopping center with Dollar General (I’m sure many of you have received the coupons in the mail!)
A gentleman name Ramzi is hoping to open a grocery, carryout and delivery store at 1100 Washington Blvd. The location is the old Sids, a bar whose liquor license was revoked by the Baltimore Liquor Board. Ramzi has three other similar stores in New York, but he will be living and working at the location in Pigtown. The place will be open 6am-12pm and vows to be a model citizen. They vowed to not tolerate loitering or littering.
Flea Market
Pigtown has created the first ever flea market on a city-owned lot. The flea market will take place on Lot O by the Ravens Stadium on April 14th from 7am to noon. It will cost $13 to register a table, if registered by April 1st, or $15 at the gate. Parking will cost $1 to cover the cost of the lot. There will also be a donation truck at noon and the donations will benefit the American Veterans.
For reservations or more information call Nina Nescio at 727-481-1586 or email her at pigtowngirlnina@gmail.com.
Police Report
Officer David Milburn stopped by to give crime updates in the area. Arrests have been made in many area crimes and the police are making progress. Frustration was expressed from members about dirt bikes in the city, but unfortunately there isn’t a ton the police can do. Milburn recommended calling the fire department if you see a dirt bike enter a house or yard and to call the cops on any gas station that allows a dirt bike to fill up. It is illegal to own them, unfortunately the cops can not stop them on the streets because of the dangers a chase could cause.
There will be a COP Walk on the 4th Wednesday of every month. The police are also benefiting from a donation from Under Armour that has allowed them to purchase bikes, which are great for following criminals down alleys.
Clean and Green
Pigtown is having a beautification project on April 28th. There is also a cleanup competition from April 21st to October 19th launched by Mayor Rawlings Blake. The winning community will receive a $5,000 prize and second place will receive $1,000.
Lastly, if you are looking for a tree in front of your house, there are three options – you can get a free tree from Tree Baltimore, you can sign up for the Green Canopy project (which takes a while) or you can do it yourself.
