Baltimore Skyline

Fryeburg Fair, in Fryeburg, ME since 1851. In October we took a little road trip to Maine for some autumn action. First stop was Fryeburg, where their agricultural fair has been going strong since 1851, and is the largest in the state of Maine. This is a real fair folks, not what you get at the Timonium Fairgrounds in September.  LL Bean, making boots Freeport, ME since 1912. No trip to Maine would be complete without a stop at the LL Bean flagship store in Freeport. Making boots and other outdoor equipment since 1912, this store never closes. In fact there aren't even locks on the front doors. If you need a pair of bean boots or a canvas boat bag on Christmas morning for a last minute gift? They have you covered. When you leave the LL Bean store there are plenty of other outlet stores and shops all around Freeport; its a nice walk-able community. Plus Amtrak goes there now so you can ride the rails from Boston North Station all the way downeast. 

Alright Baltimore, let's jump on this. What better way to spur better bike infrastructure in the city. Check out The Green Lane Project for more information. In their pilot year six cities were granted funding, including DC. DC seems to have it right when it comes to improving infrastructure, mode-share, and complete streets while Baltimore lags behind due to the lack of political will. Look at what DC is doing: streetcars, silver line extension, protected bike lanes and bike signals. Let's get serious here.

photo by the blogger The empty and city owned former Lobe Building at 15-17 S. Gay Street, just off The Block. Many of the windows are broken and has sat decaying for years. It serves as the northern end of a row of four vacant, but at one time beautiful thriving buildings on the east side of Gay Street that are city owned.  On any other street near the Inner Harbor these might have been renovated years ago. especially do to its proximity to the Water Street condos across the street, and being two blocks from the Inner Harbor. Instead they are unfortunately situated around the corner from The Block, which needs no introduction. The seediness of which extends beyond the borders of the adult district to wither any development efforts in the immediate area (e.g. the 1st floor retail of One South Street has been empty since the building opened in 1991), or produce only low-brow retail.  For a city that is all about improving its image, and at the same time striving for ...

photo by the blogger I take it that these lights along the Pratt Street bridge over the Jones Falls don't work. Many of the glass panes are broken; I have driven past them and I cannot remember the last time I have seen these illuminated. It is seriously a lost opportunity for nice streetscaping along the major harbor thoroughfare. Possible solution? Paint the light posts, replace the glass panes, and add new light fixtures (e.g. LEDs), to bring some light back to the Pratt Street bridge.

Photo by the blogger  301 N. Charles St. has been empty for years, but was purchased last year by PMC to be developed as apartments. Interior demolition began earlier this year, but not it looks like work is really getting underway. As you can see scaffolding is up to protect the sidewalk, and some of the metal balconies have been painted. Hopefully some more news will be forthcoming.

photo by the blogger Some say he commutes on 95, and that he works in the DC Metro area. All we know is...he's called The Stig! If you are unfamiliar with the British motoring show Top Gear on BBC America, you should check it out. Too bad traffic was crawling and the Stig couldn't get his Chevy Camaro up to speed. 

Photo by the blogger. Construction is ongoing at the corner of Calvert Street and E. Biddle Street at what used to be the Inn at Government House, and what will be the Ivy Hotel in 2014. The new luxury boutique hotel that should be opening in April will have rates potentially around $650/night according to the Baltimore Business Journal. Whatever the cost to spend the night inside is, it's free to look at it from the outside, and what a magnificent restoration it will be when it is finished.