American city might sell its historic landmarks

by Kyle Ellison on

According to a recent release from CBS Baltimore, Maryland’s largest city may soon be looking to offload some of its historic landmarks to private owners or foundations.

In a new plan by city officials to bolster the cash-strapped community, 15 historic landmarks across the city — 12 of which are protected by historic landmark designation — may soon be up for grabs, and the decision is causing a ruckus in the Baltimore political and historical community.

So why the hesitancy on the decision?

Before making the announcement final, city officials want to determine how much they could actually pocket for sites such as Shot Tower, a landmark, which was once the tallest building in the nation back in 1828.

Involving more than just potential revenue, however, the city argues that many of the sites lack adequate funding and they have fallen into disrepair. In addition to providing revenue for the city, proponents of the plan argue that this move would ultimately be in the best interest of the historical sites due to the greater likelihood of a private owner being able to offer proper maintenance and care.As can be expected, not all Baltimore citizens are on board with the plan. In statements made by local citizens interviewed on the matter, many feel that these are landmarks, which belong to the city of Baltimore and are part of the city’s lengthy history.

Of course, while the sale of American landmarks is a sad state of affairs, there is an ironic political wrinkle to the tale which is the root of much of the ire:

In preparation of the plan, Baltimore city mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has approached the city spending council asking for $46,000 in public funds towards consulting fees for appraisal of the historic sites.

As a student of American history and a champion of fiscal responsibility, I’ll be blunt and admit that this saddens me.

What do you think? Is this a creative form of raising revenue meant to spruce up the community, or a disappointing reality which addresses a deeper problem?

Regardless of personal opinion, it’s not a concept that is unheard of. The greatest cultural treasure and historic landmark in all of Cambodia, for example, is privately owned by a company based in Vietnam, the same country which militarily invaded and occupied Cambodia for nearly a decade.

Ouch.

{Image via Flickr user James Cridland}

Destination information tool promises increased travel safety, eventually

by Chris Owen on

Destination information from a trusted source can make for a rich travel experience and help keep us safe. Knowing where to go (and not go) in a city we have not traveled to before can be valuable information to have on hand. Trip Sentry, a new search engine for travelers, hopes to become the authority site for connecting people on the move with travel safety advice.

“Trip Sentry solves the problem of getting high quality, relevant advice to travelers completely,” said Co-Founder Adam Sculthorpe, “our new search engine allows travelers to easily get advice from trusted sources and set up travel safety alerts for any destination in just a few seconds.”

Not a bad idea really. One problem though: Multiple searches for commonly visited cities produced few or no results. Randomly selecting New York, Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles: Nothing.

International destination information fared better though. London had 55 results and a search for Hong Kong came up with 85 results that included exit and entry information, safety and security data, natural disaster and weather background and alerts along with information about culture, laws and customs.

Trip Sentry also has a member portal allowing travelers to configure alerts for multiple-city destination information and set up departure notes to be sent out just before a trip begins.

I input destinations coming up this year on my travel schedule as well as dream destinations I hope to visit some day. Trip Sentry is a work in progress that promises to have real, personal value in the future.

“We’ve already delivered travel safety advice to people in more than 403 Cities, most of them in Europe and North America but quite a few in Southeast Asia too. I’m very pleased with the feedback we’ve had so far but we have a way to go yet, it’s early days,” said Sculthorpe.

Flickr photo by keithusc


Baltimore photos in black and white by Patrick Joust

by Elizabeth Seward on

Patrick Joust, a distinguished photographer from Baltimore, has recently released one of his latest sets of Baltimore photos. Black and white, these photos, titled ‘Street’, capture people and places around town. And I am especially fond of this photo set. I was born in Baltimore and I have spent time regularly throughout my life going back to the city to visit my extended family. It’s been apparent to me since I was young that Baltimore isn’t always the softest of cities, with well-documented struggles with crime and highly contrasted economic social classes. Some of these photos by Joust depict these struggles, but some of these photos also depict something else–an unmistakable sense of contentedness no matter general circumstance. Well, that’s what I see, at least. What do you see?

Check out the full photo set here.

Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore opens

by McLean Robbins on


“Charm City” gets its first real branded luxury property with the opening of Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore in the Inner Harbor’s chic Harbor East neighborhood. One of America’s oldest cities, Baltimore has gotten more media attention for its portrayal in shows like “The Wire” than it has for its luxe offerings, but, in recent years, has seen the growth of a number of high-end offerings, including Ritz-Carlton Residences, a Kimpton hotel and numerous fine dining restaurants.

Still, this 18-story waterfront hotel is the city’s first true “luxury” branded property.

“All around us the city is coming alive with new excitement and vigour,” said Julien Carralero, general manager of the 256-room hotel. “Now at last we are part of that as we open our doors and invite Baltimore inside, and send visitors who stay with us out into the city to experience the local arts and culture, get to know our neighborhoods, cheer on our sports teams and shop to their heart’s content.”

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Like many Four Seasons hotels, the Baltimore iteration features a large amount of artwork, including John Wigmore’s huge installation of light and paper behind the reception desk. The wide lobby and grand staircase are lit by handblown murano glass fixtures, with pieces that form part of the city’s largest hotel art collection gracing the walls. Throughout the hotel, modern works by contemporary American and international artists are on display, with special emphasis on those associated with Washington Color School.

Of course, our favorite parts of the hotel aren’t what’s on the walls, but what you can do within them – dining options include Michael Mina’s first Baltimore outpost, Wit & Wisdom, a contemporary tavern, as well as a coffee shop, named LAMILL COFFEE after Baltimore native Edgar Allen Poe. In February, the hotel will also open Pabu, an isakaya-style Asian restaurant.

The hotel will also have what is primed to be one of the area’s best spas – an 11 treatment room oasis with two couple’s suites featuring their own soaking tubs. The hotel also has a massive pool overlooking the harbor that will remain at 85 degrees all year round, and a pool bar and grill that is set to open this spring. Of course, there’s also a full-service fitness center and a “unique “wet deck,” a pool-size area immersed in three inches of water that invites splashing toes without messing up your hair.

The hotel is offering $279 rates November 20 through February 29 (excluding December 30 and 31).

Edgar Allan Poe Museum may close next year

by Sean McLachlan on

Baltimore’s most famous literary landmark may close next year due to budget cuts.

The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum hasn’t received money from the city for two years. Since that time it’s managed to limp along on private contributions, but they aren’t enough to keep it afloat. Now the curator says if something isn’t done, the museum will probably close in June 2012.

Although the museum gets around 5,000 visitors a year, the money they spend doesn’t cover its $85,000 annual operating budget.

Poe lived in the house from 1832 to 1835 and wrote several stories there, including Ms. Found in a Bottle and Berenice–A Tale.

The Edgar Allen Poe Society of Baltimore gives a more detailed description of the problem and has started an online petition that already has more than 6,000 signatories, including mine. I’d be proud to have your name next to mine on the list.

The Poe house has been in danger before. Back in 1941 the Society saved the house from demolition, and now some local businesses and artists are raising money to keep the museum going. Perhaps readers will rally once again to save a piece of horror history.

[Photo courtesy Midnightdreary]