Annual Report 2005

Canton Community Association (CCA) is an IRS 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt, not-for-profit, all-volunteer neighborhood organization for those who live, rent, or own property within Canton. CCA, which was launched in May 1999, seeks to establish Canton as the preeminent waterfront community in Baltimore for our residents, merchants, and visitors. CCA is committed to promoting and protecting the beauty, safety, stability, cleanliness, and social and economic viability of the neighborhood by fostering alliances with the local residents, merchants, and government officials. CCA seeks to represent the community interests as a single voice. Our boundaries are Eastern Avenue (north), S. Conkling Street (east), S. Chester Street (west), and Boston Street and the waterfront (south). CCA welcomes the participation and support of adjoining neighborhood organizations.

Currently CCA hosts public meetings on the fourth Tuesday of every month (except July, August and December) at the Canton United Methodist Church, 1000 S. Ellwood Avenue, from 7 - 9 p.m. Board meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month (except July and August) at a new location (1301 S. Baylis Avenue, Suite 235), and are open to the public. Public meetings consist of general business, presentations from local business owners, new building proposals from developers, question and answer sessions with state and local representatives, and community development issues, including strengthening police protection, controlling rodent populations, cleaning up the community, greening the neighborhood with street trees, and fostering economic development. Board meetings primarily consist of reports presented by CCA’s various committees, which include Community Arts Development, Crime and Public Safety, Economic Development, Education, Liquor License, Marketing, Membership, Neighborhood Development and Parking and Transportation. CCA also produces a quarterly newsletter and has a website (www.cantoncommunity.org).

Operating revenue comes from annual membership dues, business membership dues, special neighborhood fundraising programs, grants, merchandise, and advertising space in the newsletter. CCA had 633 members in 2005 and expects to exceed 700 members in 2006.

2005 Successes

CCA Office. Thanks to Lois Foster and the good folks at the historic Broom Factory, the CCA took possession of our first, dedicated office space at the end of 2005. The CCA is planning on refurbishing the space and will hold future Board and Committee meetings over at the new office (1301 S. Baylis Avenue, Suite 235).

The NEW Canton Connection. Thanks to the efforts of our new Newsletter Team of Editor Paul Lagasse, and Designer Brooke Wagner, the CCA's quarterly newsletter underwent a major transformation. The Connection has more substantive articles, features, and graphics than ever before. Also, instead of mailing out the Connection to our existing members, our new business model allows us to mail out the newsletter to ALL of Canton (nearly 5,000 pieces each quarter).

Canton Art and Antique Market – May through November. In conjunction with Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, the management company at the Canton Company, the CCA planned and coordinated a monthly art and antique market the third Sunday of each month. The market drew art dealers and collectors from around Baltimore, and showcased local art such as handmade note cards, painted flower pots, fused glass, photography, jewelry and ceramics.

Dog Competition – October 29, 2005. CCA’s event, “Howl-A-Ween” Fancy Dress Dog Competition at The Can Company, raised more than $1500 to support the Canton Dog Park. The competition is an annual fundraising even. Special recognition is due Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse, Inc. for their generous, continuing support for this event and the Canton Dog Park.

Canton Dog Park – CCA continued to operate and improve the Canton Dog Park, which included monthly clean-up days, fundraisers and educational activities. The committee also worked with the community to accomplish major improvements and repairs. Canton's canines (and their human companions) appreciate the safety of running off leash in the two fenced areas: one for large dogs and one for small and/or older dogs. As Baltimore City's only official Dog Park, many people and their dogs travel from outside Canton (and the city) to enjoy the Canton Dog Park.

Two Rivers Park – The CCA, in conjunction with the Canton Garden Association (CGA), has undertaken Canton’s newest green-space pocket park, located in the lot at 902 S. Potomac Street. On Baltimore City's inventory as a park, this lot fell into decay and was slated to be sold in 2004 to developers for new housing construction. When the CCA received news of this, a proposal was made to the City for the lot to be renovated into an attractive green space for the enjoyment of all Canton residents. The City accepted the proposal and the CCA, in turn, has accepted the responsibility for overseeing this long-term community project. 2005 saw major fund raising for this project (over $15,000 thus far), along with site preparation such as surface clean-up along with having the overhead phone and data wires consolidated and connected to a new telephone pole.

The Volpe Institute Traffic Study for Southeast Baltimore and The Red Line – CCA’s Parking and Transportation Committee worked with the parking authority and Maryland Department of Transportation to study ways to help ease congestion and help traffic flow through a variety of solutions including light rail.

CCA Committees

Block Reps – The CCA is in the process of transitioning this group into more of a neighborhood watch-type of group.

Canton Dog Park – Supports, promotes, and enhances one of the CCA's signature projects – the City's first (and thus far, only) Dog Park Supports arts in the community.

Community Arts Development – Supports arts in the community.

Crime and Public Safety Committee – Communicating citizen concerns to Police, Fire, State’s Attorney’s Office, and other Baltimore City officials.

Economic Development – Evaluates/facilitates new projects and brings projects to public meetings for community input and votes.

Education Committee – Provides a forum for educators, administrators, and residents to discuss public education issues in Canton.

Public Outreach – Recruits new individual and business members. Plans and coordinates annual “Meet ’N’ Eat” outdoor neighborhood party. Overseas the website and newsletter. Takes the lead on fundraising and other promotional opportunities.

Parking and Transportation – Addresses public transportation needs and solutions for the community and its visitors.

Continuing Community Involvement Included

Provides volunteers to help with street tree planting efforts in Canton, Butchers Hill, and Upper Fells Point neighborhoods.

Organizes annual meetings that provide the community a chance to meet with their elected representatives on Baltimore City Council and Maryland General Assembly.

Publishes a quarterly newsletter providing the community with news about development projects, new businesses, and neighborhood events.

Represents the community through participation with the South East Community Organization (SECO), South East Community Development Corporation (SECDC), Baltimore Harbor Watershed Association, Waterfront Coalition, Presidents Council, and Downtown Partnership.

Supports and encourages responsible dog care through the Canton Dog Park and the annual “Fancy Dress Dog Competition” at The Can Company.

Enhances the community’s relationship with its public schools by coordinating student-resident outreach activities.

Supports the Canton Garden Association, the Friends of Patterson Park and the Friends of the Canton Library.

Maintains the CCA website, www.cantoncommunity.org, which informs residents and new visitors to Canton about local happenings and businesses, and promotes waterfront living in Canton.

Canton Community Association Voice mail: (410) 342-0900

P.O. Box 5125 www.cantoncommunity.org

Baltimore, MD 21224 info@cantoncommunity.org