A lot going on these days! Here’s the latest:
Changes Ahead for Area Schools
Baltimore Brew is reporting that the school board of Baltimore City Public Schools has voted to shut down the middle school grades at Federal Hill Prep. The two other schools in the area, Thomas Johnson and Francis Scott Key, are both elementary and middle schools so we’ll see how this affects the middle school-aged students who would be attending Federal Hill Prep.
In conversations I’ve had with parents and local leaders, there is a strong desire to create one middle school for the entire peninsula, but the question has been about where to put it. Francis Scott Key in Locust Point has been a desired location, but the school and area have resisted. We’ll see how that progresses. A good middle school would certainly help the future of Digital Harbor High School.
Cherry Hill will be losing their high school, Southside Academy, for the 2013/2014 school year. Poor performance is the reason for the closure.
Orioles Banners Canvas the Area
Despite the lack of wins from the Orioles over the last decade, the team’s marketing department always works hard to keep things fresh and new for Baltimore’s baseball team. In recent years, fans have received two things they long desired – “Baltimore” back on the away jerseys and this year’s revival of the cartoon Oriole Bird hat. This year is also the 20-year anniversary of our beautiful Oriole Park at Camden Yards. We’ve documented the many improvements at the park that will be ready for the anniversary season.
If you take a drive around town, you’ll see new banners on the light poles that say “20 Years at Oriole Park at Camden Yards” and feature the new cartoon bird. Let’s hope the Orioles stay in contention into the summer so people can enjoy all the new upgrades and keep the excitement going.
More Changes at the Inner Harbor
Baltimore Business Journal is reporting that Hard Rock Cafe and Phillips are looking to add outdoor decks with live entertainment. Hard Rock is hoping to create a retractable roof to give the appearance of a concert pavilion as part of their $6 million renovation. Phillips’ deck will include seating, a demonstration kitchen and information about Chesapeake Bay crabs. Both are hoping to be completed around Memorial Day.
There will really be an explosion of new stuff in the Inner Harbor this summer. With big crowds coming in for the Sailabration, tourists, residents and visitors will also be able to enjoy the new Ripley’s Believe it or Not, McCormick World of Spices, Bubba Gump and more.
The patented orange pipe barriers on Pratt and Light St. have come down as a part of the Pratt St. redevelopment. They are being replaced by stone islands and we’ll see what else. Traffic is a major pain right now because of this construction.
Arena Moves One Step Closer
Baltimore Business Journal is also reporting that $2.5 million in design money has been approved by the House Appropriations subcommittee for the new arena and convention center at Conway and Charles St. I recommend reading the article to get a better feel for the process, but this is certainly one step closer for the projected arena to become an reality.
Spring and Summer Scenes in South Baltimore
SouthBMore.com is in the process of starting a photo gallery of all the great shots of the spring and summer around South Baltimore. We are looking for great shots of stoops, flowers, parks, trees, water, views and more. Please email pictures and a description to Kevin@InceptMM.com.
