Posted on 10/08/2023 5:35:29 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
BALTIMORE — Once a beacon for activity in downtown Baltimore, the Harborplace pavilions will now be torn down by the new owners who are on a mission to revive the area.
It's a place that was once booming with tourists. Now, when you take a walk through the Harborplace pavilions, doors are locked and many stores sit vacant.
As the entire harbor is getting redeveloped, one project will be tearing down the two pavilions by the new owners, MCB Real Estate. Marketing Managing Director Jarnell Swecker said this is a result of what the community repeatedly shared.
"They need something right here that will say we want to see this we want to come to Baltimore to see that," said Joseph Weinstein, who grew up in Baltimore.
He recalls the good old days of going to the harbor. "This was the place we would come to as kids, as a family to go on a Sunday trip or a family outing,” said Weinstein.
He said it brings him a sense of hope of what's to come in replacing the pavilions.
"The new developer, maybe he has big plans for something that will actually make tourists want to come specifically to this area,” said Weinstein.
But for some that work in the pavilions, news of complete demolition brings a sense of shock.
"I can't even process words right now because of that because we've been here for so long especially the company that I’m with, I’m kind of speechless,” said Joshua Hughes, who is a manager at Life in Charm City.
Hughes has worked in the pavilions for 18 years.
"Once I started here, you couldn’t even move down here, you were literally bumping elbows into people that's how crowded it was," said Hughes.
He said he's sad to know the heart of the harbor will be torn down, but sees the potential for bringing it back to the glory days.
"They should keep the mom and pop shops, that's what everybody wants," said Hughes.
While there is no timeline for the demolition, Swecker said they are taking community aspirations to the design phase where they will then have more on a reimagined Harborplace.
PING!
About 30 years ago, took the kids to an Orioles game, wandered the Harbor, took in the aquarium. Took a boat ride to Fort McHenry. Went to Bertha’s Mussels and a nice Italian restaurant.
All now nothing but some photos and gray matter. Won’t set foot anywhere near the place now.
I think that the problem is not the Pavilions it’s that the Pavilions are in Baltimore.
“They should keep the mom and pop shops, that’s what everybody wants,” said Hughes.
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Well, except maybe the moms and pops.
Also, if there is mom and pop shoe store, stay away! They will skip town with your sneakers! (Seinfeld reference)
I arrived in Baltimore in September of 1975.
I remember Howard Street as being crowded with mainly black women shopping.
Its replacement is apparently in need of replacement.
That’s a bingo! I did much the same a long time ago but I do not even like driving through that crappy democrat city let alone stopping in it.
Exactly. The populace is the problem.
I remember a time when Memorial Stadium was on 33rd Street and bleacher seats were $1 each.
When I lived in Baltimore 1 in 7 residents were on welfare but I never feared walking in the city.
Is the thought here that it is dangerous to go into Baltimore now? Is it the whole city? And is it safe in daylight but not after dark? Ive never been there.
And beer was still reasonably priced.
What once was will be no more .
Very dangerous and high rate of drug use and at one time had the distinction of having the highest rate of STD’s.
The clearing of the buildings makes it easier to become a free fire zone.
Once accidentally drove through downtown Baltimore (thanks, Mapquest). Was scary even back then.
I miss going to the ball game on a whim and a couple bucks in my wallet. Bleacher creatures!
I seem to recall when they were originally built in the late 80s when I was at USNA though it may have just been prework I’m thinking of....
We took our kids to Baltimore 20 years ago a couple times a year and loved it.
My family, when I was a kid, went to downtown Chicago a couple times a years.
Hanging out and enjoying big lib cities are a thing of the past and on our current coarse will never change.
Late 80s sounds about right, actually. We moved to DC area in 86 for my last assignment at Navy Yard. Remembering going to some events on the harbor toward the end of the decade.
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