STATION NORTH is the catchy new name for an underused chunk of real estate bounded by Penn Station, North Avenue, Howard Street and Greenmount Avenue.
It is the city's candidate for a new state arts and entertainment district, a designation that would bring tax breaks for artists.
Seven city neighborhoods applied for the honor. Without a doubt, Station North was the worthiest candidate. It's already the home of the Charles Theatre, the Everyman Theater, the fledgling Heritage Cinema House and the Maryland Institute College of Art's new post-baccalaureate studios.
This is a mighty foundation.
The city is also currently seeking redevelopment proposals for two key properties it owns - the Railway Express Building at 1501 St. Paul Street and the old Mildred Monroe School on Guilford Avenue. Additionally, the area has several vacant or underused industrial buildings ripe for conversion to studios or artists' housing.
By the end of January, the state is expected to select six arts and entertainment districts around Maryland. The program will provide a state income tax break for qualified artists working and residing in these districts, as well as a 10-year tax break on commercial buildings renovated for arts uses.
The city's selection of Station North comes at a critical time. After decades of ups and downs, the neighborhood - which once housed such landmarks as the Chesapeake Restaurant and Famous Ballroom - seems to have turned the corner. But boosters fear a new bus terminal could halt the improvement.
The problem is this: At this late stage, Greyhound's opponents still have proposed no viable alternative. The bus line, meanwhile, has gone through much of the city review and permitting process.
If Station North activists want to stop Greyhound, they must do more than whine and groan. Facing a deadline, the bus operator is eager to build.
