It?s party time for downtown Baltimore.
With more than 100,000 people working in the downtown district, the Downtown Partnership and Power Plant Live are hooking up to throw a first-ever “Downtown?s Largest Office Party” beginning at 6 p.m. Friday. The event will be held at Power Plant Live, a development of theCordish Co., at 34 Market Place and features music, food and drinks.
“One of the great advantages to downtown Baltimore is the density of offices,” said Mike Evitts, director of public relations for the Downtown Partnership. “Clients and vendors are in close proximity and have the ability to connect with other businesses to get things done.”
With downtown employment steadily climbing ? up 6.8 percent between 2004 and 2005, Evitts said ? and more people choosing to live in the downtown area, “there is literally opportunity on every corner,” he said.
“Downtown use to be a 9-to-5 business district. Through downtown housing initiatives and a real push by developers, we?ve managed to grow the number of people who live downtown,” Evitts said.
About 10,000 people live in the area known as City Center in the area from the Hippodrome Performing Arts Center on Eutaw Street to the Mount Vernon neighborhood. More than 37,000 people live within a mile radius of Power Plant Live.
“Areas of downtown not previously programmed with activities and initiatives are coming back to life,” Evitts said.
While Friday?s party is a chance for people to let loose after a busy workweek, it?s also an opportunity to build business relationships.
“Networking is important for two reasons,” Evitts said. “You never know when the contact you make will mean a new client, a new sale or a new job for yourself because there are so many opportunities in the tightly knit area. On a social level, downtown employees are among the best and brightest in the work force in terms of education attainment, and the diversity of community with people from all over the world who live and work downtown, can mean great things.”
Clay Hammond, president of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, applauded the partnership?s effort to focus attention of the city?s downtown neighborhood.
“Any timeyou can attract people to downtown, it?s good for the economy and commerce,” Hammond said. “The more volume of people you bring is good because at the end of the day it brings more commerce.”
Evitts said he won?t know the “hard cost” of the Office Party until there is a head count of those who show up.
“[The cost] will be relatively low, probably in the thousands. But with 100,000 people working here, if we get a fraction of that, it will be a big event.”
Cordish Co. is off-setting the cost with in-kind contributions.
Entertainers for the evening include Mr. Greengenes and Burnt Sienna. There is no charge to attend.
IF YOU GO
» Downtown?s Largest Office Party
» 6 p.m. Friday
» Power Plant Live, 34 Market Place, Baltimore
» Free
