A four-alarm fire that ravaged a major condominium project in Baltimore?s Station North Arts District was deemed only a minor setback for a neighborhood supporters believe will ultimately rival Fells Point and Federal Hill as an entertainment hub.
Nearly a week after 108 firefighters fought to contain the fire in the four-story building on the northwest corner of Charles Street and North Avenue ? slated to house a bar and condominiums ? city building inspectors nailed a condemnation notice on the building exterior Monday.
Area construction workers said work had stopped on the project nearly four months ago, raising questions about future development.
“We ran into some difficulties with construction,” said Clayton Kim, owner of the building.
“The project is on hold for now,” he added, declining to elaborate.
But despite the setback for Kim?s project, the city is moving forward with ambitious plans to refurbish other vacant buildings in the area.
Fresh off the purchase of the former home of the Chesapeake restaurant directly adjacent to the Charles Theater, Baltimore Development Corp. President M.J. “Jay” Brodie said his organization is seeking to acquire the Parkway Theater, a historic playhouse constructed in 1915 that closed in the mid-1980s located south side of North Avenue and Charles Street.
“We?ve made an offer to the owner, but it was rejected,” Brodie said. “We are now reviewing our options with the law department.”
Brodie said the City Council has approved the condemnation of the building, under the city?s quick-take program, which streamlines the process for purchasing vacant buildings. Brodiesaid once the Parkway is acquired, the city will seek proposals from potential developers who wish to rehabilitate the space.
Meanwhile, directly adjacent to Kim?s stalled project, a new nightclub dedicated to showcasing local filmmakers and visual artists is set to open in June.
“We are just another dot to connect the entire area together,” said Russell de Ocaupe, owner of The Wind Up space, a 3,000-square-foot bar on North Avenue, just west of Charles Street on North Avenue.
With a full-service bar and ample space for screening local films and hanging art, Ocaupe said his business is one more reason the Station North Arts District will thrive.
“This area is coming together,” he said. “Instead of watching a ball game, you can see some great local visual art.”
