Economic Impact

Closing arguments were a study in sharply contrasting strategies as the final hour encroaches in the prolonged and sometimes abrasive hearings on the proposed multimillion-dollar luxury tower in downtown Columbia. Attorney Richard B. Talkin, representing the developer, never veered from the sanctity of case law and declaring that the challengers to the luxury skyscraper failed absolutely to meet the standards to permit the case to continue. Counsel for the opponents, E. Alexander Adams, though citing case law as well, made more of an appeal for democracy, pleading for the county's regulatory system not to slam the door in the face of citizens and to extend a full examination of their grievances.

State officials have figured out how many people owe their jobs to the port of Baltimore: somewhere between 6,500 and 126,700, depending on how you do the math.As stark as the differences are, determining the port's economic impact means more than a potential ego boost for those whose livelihoods depend on the commerce of the waterways. It could mean a lot of money.The Maryland Port Administration commissioned an economic impact study this year to provide ammunition to use in Annapolis, where a few thousand jobs in economic impact can translate into a few million dollars in additional state funds.

Some representatives of the horse racing industry have tossed out these figures when boasting of the industry's significance in Maryland: $1 billion economic impact and 20,000 jobs.Others have believed the figures were inflated.Now comes a new study by the University of Maryland that apparently verifies that belief. Released last week in Annapolis, the study estimates that the economic impact of horse racing and breeding in Maryland is $700 million. It estimates that the industry accounts for the equivalent of 10,000 full-time jobs, or about 15,000 actual jobs.

When nine sleek racing yachts sail up the Chesapeake Bay in a day or two, they will bring a potential economic impact of more than $28 million and the promise of worldwide publicity that may attract new visitors and businesses for years to come -- and may even help secure an Olympic bid."It is the kind of exposure for the Chesapeake Bay area that we couldn't possibly afford," said Dean Kenderdine, assistant secretary for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.Some Maryland officials view the cooperation that Baltimore and Annapolis show during the Whitbread Round the World Race as proof of an ability to organize, provide security, win sponsors and thrive in a global spotlight.

Thousands of students from elementary school to college age are competing in an Olympiad of sorts this week at the University of Maryland College Park campus.Their sport is mental gymnastics; the event is the world finals of Odyssey of the Mind -- a 20-year-old educational program that challenges participants to solve difficult problems creatively.About 750 student teams from 16 countries and all 50 states began vying yesterday for coveted trophies and medals for such accomplishments as making the best android, strongest structure or top model car design.

Price of stadiums is rotten infrastructureYou don't have to be a civil engineer to understand what happened at the Park Avenue/Franklin Street sinkhole.The subterranean city infrastructure is a hidden reflection of the decrepit housing stock above ground -- sewer, gas, water and other unseen and neglected utility conduits are returning to dust under our feet.Old storm sewers are constructed of brick and tile that is nothing but baked dirt. Gas pipelines such as the ones that ruptured are iron.

The big questions have been answered. The Ravens are here. Construction of their new stadium has started. And downtown Baltimore will be set to receive NFL football in 1998.But little questions about the $200 million stadium still abound, and only now are they starting to be addressed. The stadium's financing and design have soaked up so much official energy and public attention that the problem of grafting the venue onto a living downtown is still being pondered.Where will the cars go? How can 68,000 fans on Russell Street be encouraged to patronize restaurants half a mile north on Pratt Street?

The final revisions to a controversial growth ordinance have won the support of the county Planning Commission, but did little to alter opposition from the Economic Development Commission.The proposed Interim Development Control Ordinance (IDCO) would place an 18-month ban on new subdivisions while the county reworks its master plan.The final version, released Friday, establishes an appeals process and exempts from the ban preliminary plan applications made between March 15, 1993, and March 15, 1995.

The decision by office super-store chain Staples Inc. this month to locate a $43 million distribution center -- and its 700 jobs -- in Hagerstown was the latest in a string that underscores Maryland's emergence as a premier distribution site. But to lure Staples, Saks Fifth Avenue, the Fritz Cos., Supervalue Inc. and others, the state has provided lucrative economic incentives in exchange for jobs that traditionally pay about $8 per hour and often lack significant benefits.At the same time, developers are beginning large projects without tenants in place to attract prospective distributors, projects that will add in excess of two million square feet of new space at the end of the year.

Before asking others to shell out some $15 million for the Port Discovery Children's Museum, its chairman, Douglas Becker, has launched a fund-raising drive by donating $1 million.Mr. Becker, also president of Sylvan Learning Systems Inc., said yesterday that he made the donation on behalf of "Friends of Sylvan," with the money coming mainly from him and his tutoring company.He said he hopes the donation inspires others to follow suit to help foot the bill for the $27 million Port Discovery.

The Baltimore Racing Development group proposing an Indy Racing League event said yesterday that if all goes according to plan, the city would have its own Grand Prix IndyCar event running on a street course through the Inner Harbor on Labor Day weekend 2011. "Given what our communications have been with the IRL, I would say [whether or not the race comes here] is on our end," said Jay Davidson, BRD's chief operating officer, during a news conference at the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards.

Jos. A. Bank reports increased Q1 earnings Jos. A. Bank men's clothing store said late Tuesday that fiscal first-quarter earnings increased as people continued to buy its suits and other products despite the recession. The Hampstead-based company reported net income of 62 cents per share, or $11.5 million, compared to 53 cents per share, or $9.8 million, the same period a year ago. Comparable store sales, or those at stores open at least a year, increased 4.3 percent. Internet and catalog sales increased 12.1 percent.

The wenches should stay. And the pirates, too. That's what Anne Arundel County officials are saying in response to news that the owners of the Maryland Renaissance Festival are looking to relocate. Organizers of the Renaissance Festival - in its 32nd season of celebrating 16th-century English culture - recently undertook a location scouting effort across the region in order to expand their business, currently situated on 135 acres in Crownsville. The festival has seen record attendance this year, and organizers envision a larger site offering more amenities.

Anne Arundel may reduce builders' impact fees In an effort to stimulate the construction business sector, Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold announced yesterday that he will propose an immediate, temporary reduction in economic impact fees on commercial and residential builders. The reduction, which would delay full implementation of proposed increases in impact fees on development in the county until 2010, is scheduled to be voted on Monday night by the County Council. Economic impact fees are designed to help local governments provide services and infrastructure improvements, such as sewer lines and roads.

They come to town today wearing their cargo pants and backward ballcaps. They have thick accents, thirsty livers and girlfriends with blond streaks running through their hair. As they do a couple of times a year, these chowder-eating tourists invade Camden Yards as though it were their own, putting their feet on the coffee table and tracking mud onto the carpet. And as tough as this might be for Baltimoreans to admit, you should be grateful the Boston Red Sox fans are here. They're helping keep things afloat.

Closing arguments were a study in sharply contrasting strategies as the final hour encroaches in the prolonged and sometimes abrasive hearings on the proposed multimillion-dollar luxury tower in downtown Columbia. Attorney Richard B. Talkin, representing the developer, never veered from the sanctity of case law and declaring that the challengers to the luxury skyscraper failed absolutely to meet the standards to permit the case to continue. Counsel for the opponents, E. Alexander Adams, though citing case law as well, made more of an appeal for democracy, pleading for the county's regulatory system not to slam the door in the face of citizens and to extend a full examination of their grievances.

The commissioners will soon review a 20-year master plan for the Carroll County Regional Airport that calls for $60 million in improvements and an economic impact analysis that will detail jobs generated by any expansion. The plan, put together by URS, a consulting company with an office in Hunt Valley, will "set the direction and scope of the airport for the next 20 years," said Joseph R. Varrone, administrator of performance auditing and special projects. The consultant's effort, which costs $452,500, also includes a study, done by Martin Associates of Lancaster, Pa., on the economic implications of a larger airport.

HABITAT FOR Humanity is one of the quintessential feel-good nonprofit groups. After all, few things are more basic than providing shelter to those who need it. Even former President Jimmy Carter has made working with Habitat one of his principal volunteer activities. Mike Mitchell isn't interested in erasing that image, just adding to it. Mitchell is the executive director of Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity, a group whose activities theoretically encompass Baltimore and Baltimore County but practically have been concentrated to date in the modest-to-struggling Northeast neighborhoods of Waverly, Better Waverly and Pen Lucy.

State officials are looking for a site to build a first-class venue for national and international equestrian events, a place they envision as a major tourist destination for horse lovers. The Maryland Horse Park would sit on at least 500 acres. The complex would include a 5,000-seat arena, an outdoor amphitheater for competitions, up to 1,200 horse stalls, even a museum celebrating the history and traditions of horses in the state and perhaps a retirement home for famous racehorses. "Essentially it's a Disneyland for horses," said Rob Burk, executive director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board, part of the Department of Agriculture.

Aberdeen Proving Ground, the sprawling military base known as the engine that pulls Harford County's economy, is expected to have an even greater impact as it stands to gain new jobs and continue the transformation into the Army's prime technology center. County officials struggled to restrain their enthusiasm Friday when the Pentagon announced a long-awaited base closure and realignment proposal that called for the APG work force to grow by more than 2,000. "This is a great day for Aberdeen and all of Harford County," County Executive James M. Harkins said after receiving a telephone briefing from Col. John T. Wright, APG garrison commander.