Big Development Coming to Canton
Well maybe.. Here’s the link to the Sun Article. The community association is not pleased about having a 240 foot skyscraper(?) built on the waterfront..although I’m not really sure why. Right now the site is a parking lot, and there are lots of tall buildings there on the waterfront.
Anyway, this type of development seems inevitable–real estate on the Canton waterfront is so valuable and parking lots are clearly not the highest and best use. And for the city, highest and best use in this case also translates to higher tax revenue.
As for me, I have to see a better argument than “it obstructs some views” to oppose it. I think it’s wonderful that people want to build here. Ten years ago I doubt anyone imagined Canton as such a desirable place to live and shop.
I’d like to see the city make a better effort on curbing the petty crime that has been happening in canton. if we’re going to make this city more attractive, we need to pay attention and address petty crimes as much as violent ones. Just recently, law enforcement agents were robbed at gunpoint and beaten in canton. That’s a problem and real estate isn’t going to sell fast if people hear about these incidents.
I’m soooo glad I don’t live in Canton anymore. From 02-04, I lived right on Hudson St. behind the Can Company (and Fatman is right on, my old car was broken into there.) Why are people not pleased about a proposed skyscraper? I think there’s a reason the existing PUDs and urban renewal plan don’t allow it. Do you know how much traffic there already is on Boston St. and Aliceanna and all of the other main arteries? The revitalization of Canton has been amazing, but there can be too much of a good thing.
PS - Your site’s new look is great.
Bob, I willl of course strongly agree that Canton Crossing is not only a good thing for Baltimore and Canton as a whole it’s a great thing. Tax revenues aside think of all of the jobs this is going to bring to Canton and what a positive effect this will have on not only the Canton real estate market but surroudning areas like Highlandtown and Patterson Park. Not to mention the current site is one of the biggest eye sores in East Baltimore in the nicest area.
FatMan — I agree with your assessment of crime. In my opinion, crime and schools are the two biggest things holding Baltimore back, and of those two it seems to me that crime is the “low-hanging fruit.”
Danielle — Thanks for the kind words, I’m much happier with the new look. I still love living in Canton, although I have yet to be the victim of crime. I feel like most areas of the city have crime issues. Traffic is a problem, but I also see it as a symptom of a good thing, namely that more people want to live, work, or be in a given area.
Matt - I agree completely.