2008 Conkling Street Construction Schedule Updates

As reported previously on the Canton Connection Online, the Hanover Company is currently working on a two-year construction project to build an apartment complex on the site of the old Tulkoff Food Products/Gunther Brewery buildings on S. Conkling between Toone and Elliot Streets.

Each month, the Hanover Company's project manager, Robert Hooten, issues a progress report to the Canton Community Association and neighborhood residents. As a community service, the Canton Connection Online will provide a summary of each report when it is issued.

UPDATE (Friday, March 21): The project is enforcing a policy of no parking along Elliott Street for contractors, out of consideration for the reduced number of parking spaces around the construction site.

Construction of the exterior stoops (minus brick facades) is complete. The crane has been erected and will remain in place through May, when the wood framing has been completed. Deliveries of the wood for the framing is currently ongoing. Interior and exterior masonry work, window installation, and mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire sprinkler system installation is all currently underway.

Underground utility work involving two crossings under Conkling Street will begin this coming week. The site is patrolled by a security guard during non-working hours and on weekends, and the construction parking lot is also patrolled during business hours.

UPDATE (Friday, January 11): The foundation excavation is complete, and the first of four concrete pourings is scheduled to begin tomorrow beginning around 7:15 a.m. The concrete work is on schedule to be completed next month (weather permitting), which is ahead of schedule. The crane has been erected and will remain in place through late spring. Wood framing is on schedule to start in early February at the north end of Elliott Street, and will proceed south towards Toone Street.

The City fixed an underground water leak under the north side of Elliott Street, approximately halfway up the block.

CCA Public Meeting to Address Safety, Services

The Canton Community Association has announced that next week's public meeting will focus on public safety and Baltimore City services, which are among the most frequently requested subjects by Canton residents.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 25 at the United Evangelical Church, 3200 Dillon Street at the corner of S. East, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for food and drinks in the basement, provided by Canton restaurants.

"City Services and Public Safety: Who Ya Gonna Call?" will introduce Councilman Jim Kraft (First District) and key City staff. Karli Swift, Neighborhood Liaison in the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods, will discuss how, why, and when to use the City's 311 one-call service.

Major Roger Bergeron, Commanding Officer of the Southeast District Police, will be there to introduce his community team: Lieutenant Darryl DeSousa, who will review the state of the district and the neighborhood, and Sergeant Fred Dillon and Officer Dianna Ckyyou, who will speak about the district's community policing initiative and the Canton Citizens on Patrol program.

The meeting will also feature a presentation on the planned Audubon Center in Patterson Park by Callie Schwartz, the center's Education Coordinator. Last fall, Mayor Shelia Dixon announced that the City would commit $3.5 million to renovating Patterson Park's Virginia Baker Recreation Center and constructing an Audubon Center there. "We are trying to educate the Park's surrounding communities on what Audubon and the Recreation Department offer to the community through our programming as well as get insight from our neighbors on desired programs and thoughts for a new building," explains Schwartz, who has been meeting with various neighborhood associations to seek input and suggestions from residents.

Canton residents are encouraged to attend and discuss their questions, concerns, and issues with the various speakers. It promises to be an informative meeting.

CCA public meetings are generally held bimonthly, except July and December. Details on upcoming public and board meetings can be found on the CCA website here.

Friends of Patterson Park Prepare for BikeJam 2008

This year's annual BikeJam Cycling Festival might still be a couple of months away, but the Friends of Patterson Park are already busy preparing for it. This year's event takes place all day Saturday, May 24, at the Park.

The festival has activities for casual riders, bike enthusiasts, and families alike. There's a recreational ride around Baltimore, a kid's pavilion (and opportunities for kids to earn free bike helmets!), food, beer, live music, and a health expo -- which presumably won't be too close to the Dangerously Delicious Pies tent which will of course feature its ever-popular pie-eating contest.

A stunt show will feature two-time National Champion Trials rider Mike Steidley, and there will be races throughout the day culminating in the Kelly Cup Pro Race, which will feature professional bike racers from the Tour de France and the Olympic Games. There will be a 20-lap Women's Open and 40-lap Men Pro 1/2 races too.

Some events have registration fees, so please consult the BikeJam website. The event raises money for the Mt. Washington Children’s Hospital.

"Last year they had about 5,000 riders and spectators come through the Park," announced the Friends. "This year, they’re hoping for it to be even better!"

"Extreme Makeover" Comes to Baltimore

Cantonites have a reputation for being do-it-yourselfers, but even the handiest of us, from time to time, have probably wished we could just turn it all over to Ty Pennington and the team from Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Well, now you might just get that wish fulfilled.

The producers of ABC’s popular reality show are looking for families to feature in the upcoming season. You can nominate your own family, or someone you know. To be eligible, the nominated family must own its own single-family home (rowhouses included) and must be able to convince the producers that a makeover will make a real difference.

If you're interested, send an e-mail with a short description of your "family story" to Jason Hammonds at castmaryland@gmail.com. Include:

1. Names and ages of household members
2. Description of the work that needs to be done
   
3. Explanation of why the family is deserving of a makeover
4. Photos of the family and the home
5. Contact phone number and e-mail address
   

The deadline for nominations is March 11, so don’t wait to apply. And good luck!