The Baltimore Brew published a thought provoking article about an industrial building in Hampden that has been purchased by a developer. The building has been occupied by artists for a decade. I remember going to a party there in 2001 or 2002. The developer who plans to update the building for mixed use purposes is named David Tufaro. Tufaro is actually a real businessman and not some scam artist like most “developers” in Baltimore.
The artists and some community members are not pleased that Tufaro is about to modernize the building and displace the renting artists. Tufaro is legally buying the building, something the artists should have considered over the past decade. It is unfortunate when a renter has to leave because of a new owner, but it is also sad that so many artists do not see the opportunity that ownership provides. If you think you have found the next “underground” living space in Baltimore then I highly recommend that instead of paying the current owner rent, that you make him a a purchase offer so such future “unfortunate situations” can be avoided and so that you can totally dictate the socioeconomic makeup of your neighborhood,
Adam is the most recognizable face of the recent resurgence in Reservoir Hill. He has appeared on many national and local radio shows, in several news publications, and at numerous events discussing his innovative urban redevelopment ideas and his unique lifestyle. Adam is a successful entrepreneur, community activist, and a local political guru who ran for city council in 2007. He is the founder and director of the TechBalt.com Buy a Block Project and BaltimoreHourly.com. His fearless local political commentary has rocked the local blog scene for most of this decade and he plans to take it to the next level in the next decade here on Charm City Current.
You make a good point.
I’m certainly no real estate lawyer, but I believe that tenants in Baltimore City have the right of first refusal to buy when the property they’ve leased is sold.