Recent Articles from Melody Simmons
Rawlings-Blake unveils $3.5 billion budget proposal
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake unveiled a $3.5 billion budget proposal on Wednesday for fiscal year 2014 that includes revisions in employee pension and health care plans and a 2 percent salary increase for city workers.
Shuttered for decades, Station North landmark set to reopen
By Memorial Day, one of Baltimore’s culinary landmarks will once again be seating diners.
Hilton deal costing taxpayers $2 million in 2013
The city’s top fiscal manager said Thursday that debt restructuring could be part of a new economic strategy for the city-owned Hilton Baltimore as hotel revenues continue to underperform.
Foreclosures spike in Maryland
The total number of foreclosures in Maryland ranked among the nation’s top 10 metropolitan areas in February for the first time since July 2010, according to a report released Wednesday.
Judge to hear environmental concerns over Baltimore casino construction
A Baltimore City Circuit Court judge has set a hearing for Thursday to determine whether a protest by nearby residents over environmental concerns will further prevent the city’s casino construction from moving forward.
Bill seeks to expand smart growth toolkit
Parking facilities, as well as residential and school construction, are on a list of expanded uses for tax increment financing as part of proposed legislation expected to be considered this week by a House of Delegates committee.
City panel to decide on Crittenton mansion’s landmark status
Hoping to thwart construction of 50 townhouses nearby, Baltimore’s historic preservation panel will consider adding a 120-year-old mansion in Hampden to the city’s list of protected landmarks at a meeting Tuesday.
Mechanic Theatre site back on track for development
Redevelopment of the Morris A. Mechanic Theatre site — including demolition of the modernist structure at Charles and Baltimore Streets to make way for high-rise apartment and retail towers — is about to move forward again.
Hopkins seeks speedy decision on Montgomery project
A legal dispute between the family of a major donor to the Johns Hopkins University and the university has escalated.
Business owner fears Charles Village development
A new development planned for a busy corner in Charles Village has residents concerned about the future of long-standing, small businesses in the community.
An oasis in a food desert
Michele and Erich March, part-owners of the March Funeral Homes in Baltimore, are taking a 180-degree turn to ready a new business venture in East Baltimore: a grocery store called Apples and Oranges.
If you smoke, you’re out!
The Baltimore smoke-out has expanded. While the Orioles and Ravens may be smokin’ hot on the athletic turf, their fans won’t be allowed to light up in the sports complexes after March 4, the Maryland Stadium Authority said Monday.