Fells Point business owners were still fuming Tuesday after six power outages in little over a month continued to cause disruption in the city?s premier entertainment district.
Baltimore City Council Member James Kraft, whose 1st District includes the historic neighborhood, said that BGE offered him a short- and long-term solution. In the short run, BGE has promised to shift capacity to prevent overloading the neighborhood power lines. In the long run, it promised a major overhaul of the area?s transmission grid to ensure an end to power problems.
“The long-term solution is to install equipment for increase capacity,” Kraft said. “At least we now have someone to hold accountable.”
BGE officials could not be reached for comment.
But Fells Point business owners said the help was too little too late.
Teresa Lorenz , owner of Teresa?s eatery in the Fells point market, said she already spent $375 buying dry ice to keep her food refrigerated.
“This is terrible,” she said. “We?ve never had anything like this before.”
Mark Dayton, owner of Hot Tomatoes, said that he has been crushed by the lack of power and has lost thousands of dollars in business.
“This is the fourth time in two weeks,” he said.
Ron Furman, owner of Max?s on Broadway, has come up with back-up plan. “I?ve lost my faith in BGE. I?m getting quotes to install a generator.”
For him, the losses extend beyond his business.
“My bartender lost more in one night in tips than his entire BGE bill. Who?s going to compensate him?” Furman said.
