Ruled out

A plan to raze a city eyesore and replace it with a gym is strangled by red tape

The developers formally pulled out almost a year later, writing on Sept. 10, 2008, that the project would be "better suited for a non-profit lead."

The tightening credit market was also a cause for leaving the project. "Banks are not knocking down our door to lend money in this poor but great community," Ambridge wrote in a July 2008 e-mail.

Graziano said that he has spoken with several groups about possible uses for the building, including a housing developer and representatives from the East Baltimore Development Inc., which has razed blocks near Johns Hopkins Hospital. But he wouldn't estimate how long 2101 E. Biddle will remain vacant. "We have a lot of things on our plate now," he said. "The economy is not great."

The housing commissioner holds out hope that the state might still reimburse the city for some of the $411,000. "I would like to get as much back from the state as possible," he said. "It was a state-conceived program."

Branch concurred, saying that he hopes state budget officials can work out some type of agreement with the city.