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 Facing the ongoing challenges of the global recession required forward thinking and dynamic collaborations. President Obama's stimulus package was designed to give cities like ours an opportunity to protect jobs while improving our infrastructure. This week, Congressman John Sarbanes and I celebrated some of the jobs created in Baltimore City as a result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) at the site of the Argonne Drive Bridge rehabilitation project, which is one of many projects throughout the city that is being funded in full by ARRA.
The Argonne Drive Bridge, which spans Herring Run, is now undergoing a complete rehabilitation. The $7 million project is being completely funded as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
At this week's event, Congressman Sarbanes said, "In communities all over America, our aging infrastructure is crumbling and people are out of work. Baltimore City has used Recovery Act funding to help address both these problems with the Argonne Road Bridge project. This is a terrific example of how we should keep people working by investing in the critical infrastructure of our communities."
The bridge rehabilitation includes construction of new bridge decking, beam replacement, and support column restoration. Portions of new bridge abutments will be constructed, along with pier armoring and rip rap protection for stream preservation. New roadway approaches will be built, and a new thirty-inch water main will be installed. The project includes new sidewalks and inlets, along with ornamental fencing and lighting. The bridge will be finished with a decorative brick façade.
Construction on the Argonne Drive Bridge began in March, 2010 and should be complete in approximately two years. This rehabilitation project is expected to sustain almost 90 jobs in Baltimore City for more than 24 months.
As a direct result of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the City of Baltimore is moving forward with roadway construction projects that otherwise would not have been possible. Thanks to the diligent efforts of our Congressional Delegation, people are working, and the City is moving forward.
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Sincerely,
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore
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Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Comes to Baltimore Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has come to Baltimore to meet the students of Boys Hope Girls Hope, an organization with a vision to house young people in a supportive atmosphere and give them an opportunity to continue their education away from the destructive environments they'd lived in previously. For now there's only the Boys Hope home, but Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, along with local builder Excel Homes, the Maryland Community Builders' Foundation, and community volunteers, will build a home to provide girls in the community the same opportunities. For more information, or to find out how you can help, visit http://baltimoreextrememakeover.com./baltimoreextreme/. |
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Oh Say Can You See Baltimore In June 2011, the U.S. Conference of Mayors will hold their annual meeting in Baltimore City, drawing over 1300 participants including the leadership of our nation's top cities and key federal partners. Mayor Rawlings-Blake recently presented Baltimore's theme for next year's Meeting. The Mayor's presentation included a video about Baltimore, featuring a new rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" sung by Baltimore-native Mario (with Marvin Gaye). This video can be seen at http://www.baltimorecity.gov/Home/tabid/37/LiveTabId/142811/Default.aspx. |
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Graffiti Blitz The Graffiti Blitz is a citywide effort to remove graffiti from playgrounds, rec centers, public buildings, alleys, and vacant properties. If you have graffiti in your neighborhood that you would like to have removed, please call 311 by July 31. |
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Thursdays at the Lewis Thursdays, June-August, 5:00 pm-8:00 pm
Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 East Pratt Street Each Thursday, June-August, enjoy extended hours and $5 admission to the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Dine, shop, and tour the galleries. Third Thursdays feature live music, light fare, and a cash bar.
For more information, visit www.africanamericanculture.org or call 443-263-1800. |
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Caribbean Carnival Festival Friday, July 9-Sunday, July 11
Druid Hill Park Celebrate with a traditional island costumed parade, live international entertainment, and authentic Caribbean cuisine. The festival takes place Friday from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm and Saturday-Sunday, 12:00 pm-9:00 pm. There is a small entrance fee.
For more information, call 410-230-2969. |
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70th Annual Chesapeake Turtle Derby Saturday, July 10, 10:00 am
Patterson Park, Pulaski Monument Slow and Steady wins the race! Trophies will be awarded to the winners and all participants will receive ribbons. This is a BYOT (Bring Your Own Turtle) event, however, some loaner turtles may be available to race for the day.
For more information, call 410-396-9392. |
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Car Show Community Day Saturday, July 10, 12:00 pm-4:00 pm
Shiloh Christian Community Church, 825 Yale Avenue The Beechfield Community and Shiloh Christian Community Church, present Car Show Community Day. Vehicles will be awarded trophies in categories such as best of show, best sports/muscle car, best over-all audio, and best motorcycle. To enter your vehicle, register between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm (registration fee is $15). The car show is FREE to the public.
For more information, call Gene Green at 410-646-2313 or Anthony Giles, Jr. at 443-838-1623. |
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Free State Daylily Bloom Show and Sale Sunday, July 11, 12:00 pm-4:00 pm
Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue See hundreds of cut Daylily blooms in all sizes and colors. Can you pick the Best in Show? Members of the Free State Daylily Society will host the event and answer questions about daylilies. This event is FREE and open to the public.
For more information, call 410-367-2217. |
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Firefly Walk Thursday, July 15, 8:00 pm
Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue It's that time of year when the summer nights have a special firefly twinkle. Have you ever wondered how a firefly lights up? Join Dr. Abner Nall, Professor of Biology at Howard University, for this informative twilight walk. If you are sensitive to poison ivy or poison oak, it is recommended that you wear long pants and a long-sleeve shirt. This event is FREE and open to the public, but pre-registration is required.
Call 410-367-2217 for more information. |
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Artscape July 16-18, 12:00 pm-10:00 pm (8:00 pm on Sunday)
1200 Block of Mount Royal Avenue Artscape is America's largest arts festival that remains free and open to the public. This year's celebration features musical performances, visual arts exhibitions, film, theater, the Artists' Market, activities for children, and much more.
For more information, visit www.artscape.org. |
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Chick Webb Jazz Combo Competition Saturday, July 17, 3:00 pm-6:00 pm
Artscape, Mt. Royal Avenue & North Charles Street Local and regional jazz combos compete for a $1,000 cash prize. Admission to the show is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit www.artscape.org or call 410-752-8632. |
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The Men's Dance Saturday, July 17, 8:30 pm
Theatre Project, 45 West Preston Street Artscape and Dance Baltimore invite you to attend this FREE concert of works by Baltimore male choreographers. The concert highlights the male perspective in storytelling through movement and the strength of the male performer.
For more information, visit www.artscape.org. |
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Visit Baltimore Annual Meeting Tuesday, July 20, 4:00 pm
Maryland Institute College of Art Brown Center, 1301 W. Mt. Royal Ave. Join Visit Baltimore for its annual meeting as "Baltimore Welcomes the World." Discussion will highlight accomplishments from fiscal year 2010, new initiatives for growing Baltimore's tourism industry, and the upcoming Americas Incentive, Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM) launch in Baltimore.
For more information or to purchase tickets, click here. |
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Family Style Picnic Saturday, July 24, 11:00 am-6:00 pm
Waxter Center for Senior Citizens, 1000 Cathedral Street Join the Waxter Center for a family picnic at Kurtz's Beach in Pasadena. Tickets include transportation, entertainment, an all-you-can-eat steamed crab and shrimp buffet (in addition to regular barbecue fare), basketball, volleyball, baseball, and much more.
For more information or for tickets call 410-396-1324. |
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