* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: Councilmember Holton
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL concerning
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Federal Hill - Baltimore City's Great American Main Street
FOR the purpose of proudly acknowledging the singular accomplishment of Federal Hill Main Street in becoming one of five recipients of the 2009 Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust Main Streets Center for effectiveness in creating a vibrant and historic commercial district through partnership with local residents, property owners, the business community, city and state agencies, schools, and nonprofit organizations; and providing for a special effective date.
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Recitals
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a non-profit membership organization with partner organizations in all 50 states, and it provides leadership, education, advocacy and resources to a national network of people, organizations and local communities committed to saving places, connecting to history, and collectively shaping the future of America's stories.
Established in 1980, the National Trust Main Street Center helps communities of all sizes revitalize their traditional historic commercial districts. The Main Street Center leads the preservation-based community revitalization movement and has proven that historic preservation and community driven economic development effects lasting change.
Brought to Baltimore City in October 2000, funded by both private and public funds, Main Street was formed to revitalize the urban business district of Historic Federal Hill "in ways that meet the needs of the community and bring tourists into the area to support small businesses, while at the same time preserving the neighborhood's unique and historic character."
The Federal Hill Main Street program, managed by a Board of Directors and made up primarily of neighborhood business and residential leaders, implements projects through committees made up of community volunteers. Federal Main Street accomplishments include:
· Since the Main Street program began in 2000, over 70 new businesses have opened and stayed open in Federal Hill, and 14 new businesses have expanded.
· With the help of Main Street matching facade grant and architectural assistance programs, over 40 local businesses have improved their building facades, giving the neighborhood a quick facelift.
· Through a Baltimore Main Streets Initiative, Main Street lit the sidewalks of Federal Hill with the installation of 41 new Victorian style pedestrian streetlights.
· Main Street conducted a massive South Baltimore market study and developed comprehensive business and recruitment and marketing support tools.
· Main Street created a comprehensive strategy to keep Federal Hill clean and green, focusing on education, enforcement, maintenance, and beautification to address trash and litter problems.
· Main Street created a park on the corner of Light and Cross Streets, constructed a new Federal Hill gateway sign, and planted trees and placed large flower pots on sidewalks throughout the district.
Future plans call for working with the City to improve the intersection of Key Highway and Light Street, redeveloping the old derelict Public Comfort Station on Cross Street into a new Historic Federal Hill Visitors Center and Main Street Office, and continuing efforts to attract more businesses, keep Federal Hill clean and green, and enhancing Belli Fiori beautification efforts.
Named in March 2009 as one of five Great American Main Streets, Federal Hill Main Street was also one of two urban neighborhoods in the country to ever receive the award. An initiative of the Mayor's Office and a program of the Baltimore Development Corporation, Federal Hill was selected from over approximately 2,100 eligible neighborhoods across the country.
In awarding the 2009 Great American Main Street Award, the Director of the National Trust Main Street Center remarked: "By combining sound market research with the hard work of dedicated volunteers, Federal Hill Main Street has successfully brought retailers back to a district that had become known primarily as a nighttime entertainment district. Today, Federal Hill has a lot to offer residents as well as visitors who previously came to Baltimore only to visit the major attractions of the Inner Harbor."
Baltimore City looks up to Federal Hill as a shining example of what of our neighborhoods can become and is proud to present one of our own as a Great American Main Street.
SECTION 1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body hereby proudly acknowledges the singular accomplishment of Federal Hill Main Street in becoming one of five recipients of the 2009 Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust Main Streets Center for effectiveness in creating a vibrant and historic commercial district through partnership with local residents, property owners, the business community, city and state agencies, schools, and nonprofit organizations.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Board of Directors and Members of Federal Hill Main Street, the Director of the Department of Planning, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution takes effect on the date it is enacted.
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