Baltimore Skyline

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 downtown

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.