July 2022 Community Meeting

Type of meeting: 
Community
Meeting date: 
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
Status: 
Approved
  1. Officer Owens could not attend
  2. Lauren Hamilton - Downtown Partnership, Chief marketing officer came to speak to the RDA about Downtown Partnership.
  • The organization has been around since 1980s, in 1993 turned into advocacy for downtown-  Pratt st to center street and eutaw to JFX (rough boundaries)
  • Focuses on business development, street cleaning, homeless outreach, power washing, graffiti removal
  • Has 23 guys cleaning downtown and 35 as ambassadors, answering questions, etc.
  • Put on lots of events such as:
    • Charles St promenade
    • Pratt St market - at corner of pratt and light every thursday afternoon
    • Baltimore restaurant week
    • Business events
    • Some community planting and cleanup events

They would like to know what’s going on in Ridgely’s and how they can support - especially when it comes to safety

Questions/comments from the community:

  • Clarified that Ridgely’s is not just residential, but has some businesses
    Lauren agreed that she is happy to help promote businesses in the area and offered for RDA to give the local businesses her contact info to help market.
  • BOOST - black owned and operated storefront program - a new program for equity and to backfill any vacant storefronts in downtown area
  • Downtown Partnership was responsible for reviving planters at brooks robinson statue - neighbors expressed their appreciation
  • Downtown Clean corps is focused on cleaning and it’s a job program for temporary work - helps increase work force
  • A resident asked why Howard st was picked for revitalization, and what is next target area and will they be black-owned
    Howard st influx was not part of Downtown Partnership - was an individual property owner that helped get that program going with help of local community
  • Downtown partnership has various types of economic development grants for small businesses and black and brown business owners. Also have tech grants to help get office space developed.
  • Question about hosting Made in Bmore popups downtown.
  • Question about getting planters beyond the perimeter of Ridgely’s - difficult to get funding for downtown partnership bc it’s out of their “boundaries” - they can help organize planting and getting planters but would need community support to maintain them. We can have a conversation with Councilman Costello to see how we can partner.

Contact info: Lhamilton@dpob.org 410-244-1030

  1. Minutes from last month approved
  2. Clean streets committee - July 12th at 6:30 pm first meeting at tot lot if weather allows.
  • Street sweeping back on July 13th - pay attention to signs so you don’t get a ticket
  • COP walks are every Monday at 7:30 and we cleanup trash
  • Mayor’s fall cleanup is coming up
  • MFP - south baltimore gateway partnership is funding this for 4 months, they will come and cleanup twice per month
  • Leslie added she will follow-up on getting more planters
  1. ARC Report - Many routine applications for painting, etc.
  • Stopped by Pratt St project a few days ago - lots of progress, but no very recent activity and the work site doesn’t look like it’s been well-tended to. No signs of progress on the Fremont side. Neighbors should stay vigilant
  • The President asked for general nature of projects recommended to go forward - all 5 that were submitted, windows, roof, doors,
  • Susan works next to Pratt st site and has seen work being done.
  1. June Recap:
  • hybrid newsletter - july was paper
  • had HH at Pickles last friday
  • Community dumpster is July 23rd - will be a community cleanup meeting at the shed at the burgundy lot
  • Board meeting next wednesday at 7 pm
  • National night out is August 2nd start at 6 pm - potluck, please rsvp to facebook page if you are bringing stuff
    In Conway park. Need volunteers to help with set up, grilling, and cleanup - please contact Sharon if you want to volunteer. There will be plates and cutlery, meats and veggie options will be provided by the RDA - BYOB but don’t bring glass. Dogs are welcome, but must be leashed.
  • everyone had fun at Cool Breeze Park listening to cool breeze park
  • had a community dumpster last month and it was filled, not usually back to back months, but not up to us
  1. Ridgely’s Gala - our first big fundraiser! It’s for everyone - not just Ridgely’s residents. Spread the word. Will be at Suspended Brewing, catering by Culinary Architecture, dinner program, Johns Hopkins of Baltimore Heritage will be there to provide a short history. Will be celebrating our distinguished citizen - Lillie Hyman and Ridgely's distinguished alum - Charles Hyman, dancing and music, 50-50 raffle. Lots of fun.
  2. No new business.

Attendees:

Bobby Goodfellow
Maia Tatinclaux
Paul Rubensen
Bill Reuter
Sharon Reuter
Shawn Solstesz
Ab Bear
Julie Day
Sidas Saulynas
Jeneanne Collins
Susan Clayton
Lillie Hyman
Rachel Murphy
Rachel Abbotts
Kayla Dawson
Gerri Salley
Kate Leitkowski
Kellie Biesecker
Molly Goodfellow
Leslie Parks
Paul Koprowski