"We're going back to seeing the area the way it was 100 years ago - as a regional center," said Dale Dusman, pastor of St. Mark's Lutheran Church and president of the Charles North Community Association. "We don't want this to be a neighborhood that you drive though. We want people to spend time here. We want to bring back the spirit that used to be here. We want it to be an asset for the whole region."
In recent years, the area has seen a variety of independent developments, including the Metro Gallery, Station North Arts Cafe Gallery, Windup Space and Load of Fun galleries, Railway Express lofts and expansion of the Charles Theatre.
The latest vision - some of which would take years to complete - comes three months after the Dixon administration changed the boundaries of Baltimore's annual Artscape festival to include parts of the Charles North area, in hopes of showing its development potential.
"This area is already undergoing an exciting renaissance, and the vision plan will help guide us into a future of sustainable growth," said Fred Lazarus, president of the Maryland Institute College of Art and chairman of the Central Baltimore Partnership.
The plan proposes creating four zones to anchor the revitalization effort: Charles Gateway/Penn Station, Charles and North Corners, Asia Town, and the Creative/Design Zone.
Some elements could start in the next several months. They include:
* Demolition of the former Goldbloom's clothing store building at the northwest corner of Charles Street and North Avenue to make way for new development. The building, also known as the former Chateau Hotel, has been damaged by fire and is now controlled by the city, which is expected to bring in a demolition contractor before winter.
* Issuance by the city of a request for proposals to redevelop the former Parkway Theater at 3-5 W. North Ave. and two adjacent buildings. The 1915 theater, designed by Oliver B. Wight, could be a cabaret and venue for films, live music and theatrical performances, but it needs an expanded lobby and improved backstage facilities.
* An engineering and feasibility study for the proposed expansion of the train station on the surface lot just north of it. Possible elements include an underground "robotic garage" for several hundred cars, a hotel and conference center, a shopping arcade, and a park and band shell for outdoor concerts.
