Posted on 03/26/2012 6:52:24 PM PDT by DeaconBenjamin
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — More than a dozen historic landmarks in Baltimore may be up for sale soon.
But as Gigi Barnett reports, the city first wants to know how much they will bring in first.
The city says its historic buildings are a liability, an eyesore and a drain on its pockets.
Baltimore’s Shot Tower was the tallest building in the nation back in 1828 and became a national historic landmark in the early 1970s. The city says it wants to know how much the Shot Tower is worth to a private developer.
“We have some great properties in unique locations and we hope we can find the right kind of marriage to make it work,” said City Director of Planning Thomas Stosur.
The city is weighing the costs of selling or leasing about 15 of its historic sites. Selling the real estate could beef up the city’s cash-strapped budget, as some of the properties are abandoned, old and dilapidated.
Stosur says a consultant is coming in to appraise the sites.
“Real estate is location, location, location. That’s why we’re hiring a specific firm to go in and look because they’re unique properties,” Stosur said.
Some residents say the plan would save city history.
“If they could find a buyer that would do the work and maintain it, I think it would be a good thing,” said resident Durward Center.
Roland Park’s water tower is also on the list. Originally built back in 1905, the tower became defunct in 1930 and in recent years has fallen into grave disrepair. Some Roland Park residents, however, say the tower belongs to the public.
“They’re part of Baltimore. They’re historic landmarks. I don’t think anyone should own them. It should be a Baltimore thing,” said resident Liz Wildt.
Of the 15 sites, 12 of them are protected by a historic landmark designation. That means any developer who buys or leases them must first get their plans approved.
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake recently asked the city’s spending board to approve $46,000 in consultant fees to appraise the historic sites.
And of course, who has money to buy such items?
Yes, the ARABS AND THE CHINESE!!!!
No bid contract?
It should be turned into a gun store.
Historic sites like the Nancy Pelosi birthplace?
Baltimore is a hell hole that is, unfortunately, destined to always be a hell hole.
I’ll buy THAT for a dollar!
Downtown Baltimore is a cesspit. Anybody walking around there who isn’t a hoodie wouldn’t last five minutes.
Welcome to Bawlmer. Buy our sh*t and get out!
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
And after they get the money? In a year they’ll be broke again.
maryland apparently sold its soul some time ago.
They are trying to that here in Detroit now.
Problem is there isn’t $20 million around to tear down ‘the projects’ that ruin the landscape of ‘the view.’
In fact, I INSIST you keep Baltimore.
I wonder if anyone has ever climbed the tower with a bucket of paint to defend their sister's honor.
You’ll have to ‘splain that to me.
This actually is probably a good idea, overall.
I love history, and am very “conservative” and hate losing “old” things, even the tiny cute 50yo houses down the street from us. But that’s life. Freedom means being able to do away with it.
OTOH, many people are interested as I am in conserving, and as private owners might do a better job of showcasing the small sites and bringing customers than the “free” taxpayer-funded nonsense put out by Government. No-one appreciates them, either, when they don’t have to pay to go by it.
"But I don't want to pay for it." - Liz Wildt.
There’s a good reason why I call it “Baltimordor.”
Privatization can be a good thing.
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