Top 5: ‘I was just blown away’

Mt. Washington’s beloved tavern burned down early Monday morning, but its owner plans to rebuild soon, and several historic buildings in Baltimore are being considered for designation as landmarks. Those stories and more in this week’s business top 5.

1. Owner vows to rebuild Mt. Washington Tavern – by Melody Simmons

As firefighters rolled up water hoses nine hours after a fire ripped through the Mt. Washington Tavern Monday, the owner of the popular bar and restaurant said he had already met with contractors to begin planning a reconstruction.

It was too early to determine when the tavern would reopen or the total cost of the damage the two-alarm fire that tore through the landmark had caused, said Rob Frisch, who has owned the bar for four years but worked there since 1986 when he started as a bartender and cook.

2. O’Malley pitches road needs to city leaders – by Nicholas Sohr

Gov. Martin O’Malley made his case to local officials Tuesday night for raising more money to spend on roads, bridges, trains and other transportation projects

“I would really like to stand here tonight and tell you that somehow we can somehow eat cake and lose weight,” O’Malley said, addressing the Maryland Municipal League’s fall conference. “I’d also like to tell you that bridges are like trees and if we leave them alone long enough, they’ll grow taller and stronger, but that’s not true.”

3. Medifast’s executive chairman of the board resigns – by Daily Record Staff

Diet food maker Medifast Inc. said Thursday that Executive Chairman of the Board Bradley T. MacDonald had resigned due to health issues.

MacDonald had served as CEO of the Owings Mills-based company from 1996 to 2007, when current CEO Michael S. McDevitt was appointed.

4. State planning chief defends PlanMaryland – by Nicholas Sohr

Maryland’s planning secretary stood by the state’s comprehensive growth plan Tuesday and said his department will move forward with it despite objections and calls for delay from opponents.

“We need to grow smarter than most other states in the country,” said Secretary Richard E. Hall after referencing Maryland’s population density, the fifth-highest in the nation. “That’s why the state does more than other states.”

5. Historic Baltimore buildings face vote by City Council – by Mark Miller

Advocates of preservation for seven historic Baltimore buildings, including the former town hall of the 19th century village of Waverly, expect a City Council committee to approve their designation as landmarks at a hearing next week.

If any or all of the buildings receive the approval of the Urban Affairs and Aging Committee on Nov. 9, their addition to the registry will be determined by vote of the full Baltimore City Council.