Large amounts of nonprofit and tax payer money are being spent on fixing the problems associated with the illegal activities that Baltimore allows to take place only a few blocks away from city hall on “The Block”. It is an embarrassment that citizens who visit government buildings on Fayette street have to sometimes exit on to sketchy Baltimore street where they are harassed by people conducting shady and illegal activities.
It says a lot about our government when prostitution and drugs are allowed to run rampant a few blocks away from the center of Baltimore city government. Corruption is the first word that comes to mind. There is no doubt in my mind that some of the establishments on the Block are owned by politically connected individuals. The odd thing is that other politically connected individuals own legitimate businesses around the corner at Power Plant Live and other places nearby. One would think that the legitimate business owners would have bribed their way (pay-to-play) in to convincing our leaders to get rid of the establishments catering to those dealing with illegal activities. The real estate on the Block (if there was little to no adult entertainment) is some of the most valuable in Baltimore. It could be a source of pride and incredible tax revenue for Baltimore instead of the disgrace that it currently is.
I think the Block should be turned into a regulated Bourbon Street type of area where you could still find nude dancers, but the establishments would not encourage and support illegal drug use. The shady establishments with long sordid histories would be encouraged to leave and non-nude bars and clubs that would have to purchase expensive 4AM liquor licenses would take their places. You would end up with properly run nude bars closing at 2AM mixed in with new clubs and bars open until 4AM. There would be strict sanitation rules enforced on the new and improved (and possibly expanded) block and there would be a few apartment rentals scattered in also. Baltimore would end up with a new tourist attraction that would generate new tax revenue for the city. We would also end up with a much cleaner and less shady block.
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.