By: Jon Sham

WBAL’s Mark Miller announced this week that he would be retiring after 32 years and the traffic plans surrounding Baltimore’s Grand Prix race are starting to take shape in the final months before it comes to town. Those stories and more in this week’s business top 5.

1. New restaurant at Chesapeake site should open in a year – by Melody Simmons

Redevelopment of the long-abandoned Chesapeake Restaurant in the Station North Arts District is still on track despite a key restaurateur’s rejection of the $16 million project, city officials said Monday.

Qayum Karzai, who owns the successful Helmand and Tapas Teatro restaurants, has backed out of the partnership and will not open an upscale eatery and market inside the old Chesapeake, located at 1701 N. Charles St.

2. Lawsuit over State Center redevelopment to go forward – by Melody Simmons

A Baltimore City Circuit Court judge cleared the way Wednesday for a legal challenge against the procurement procedures of the proposed $1.5 billion State Center development.

Judge Althea M. Handy denied a motion to dismiss the lawsuit that pits a large group of downtown property owners against state officials and developers in a bitter struggle over the future of the massive development that would occupy eight blocks on the city’s West Side near Martin Luther King Boulevard.

3. Executive director of state Health Services Cost Review Commission resigns – by Ben Mook

The executive director of the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission has submitted his resignation, adding to the list of vacancies at the agency that sets the prices for treatment at hospitals throughout the state.

Robert Murray announced Friday that he would be leaving effective July 22. Frederick W. Puddester stepped down as the commission’s chairman last month.

4. Baltimore Grand Prix traffic plans take shape – by Chelsea Feinstein

While the Baltimore Grand Prix will bring high-speed traffic to streets near the Inner Harbor on Labor Day weekend, traffic near the race course during and leading up to the event may be more stop than go for many drivers.

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation announced Monday its plan for road closures and traffic disruptions downtown during the pre-race construction process and the race itself, which runs from Sept. 2 to Sept. 4.

5. WBAL news director Mark Miller leaving after nearly 32 years – by Rachel Bernstein

Mark Miller, the longtime news director at WBAL Radio, will resign by the end of July after nearly 32 years on the job.

“It’s a good thing,” Miller said. “I had a really good career with the company and the station for 32 years, which in broadcasting is virtually unheard of. I worked at one place and worked there that long.”