Make plans to vote – beginning Oct. 22, or on Nov 3
Election Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 3! For specific information on where to vote, go to http://voterservices.maryland.gov.
Bolton Hill has three voting centers: Brown Memorial Church, 1316 Park Avenue; the Mount Royal Recreation Center, 120 W. Mosher Street; and Unity Hall, 1505 Eutaw Place. Voting centers are open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early voting this year runs from Oct. 22 – 29. Early voting centers are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Use the link above to locate early voting centers.
City plans demolition of Eutaw-Marshburn school building in December
City Councilmember James Torrence told BHCA that the city’s Department of Housing and Community Development has scheduled the demolition of the abandoned Eutaw-Marshburn school building for December. Located at the northwest corner of Eutaw Place and McMechen Street, the school closed in June 2023 because of declining enrollment and costly repair needs.
Built in 1965 as Eutaw Elementary School, it was renamed Eutaw-Marshburn Elementary School in 1971 to honor Theresa Marshburn, a community organizer and beloved Eutaw Place school crossing guard. BHCA is working to save two exterior doors featuring artwork. The city intends to advertise for a developer for the site, but the schedule and scope have not been finalized.
WNADA fires director; earlier awarded grant to BHCA
Chad Williams, who led the West North Avenue Development Authority created by the general assembly to manage funds to revitalize part of West Baltimore, was fired by WNADA’s board on Oct. 1 after a verbal brawl with a local artist was captured on video. He had led WNADA since its creation in 2022. That story was first reported in Baltimore Beat, which had earlier reported on Williams’ controversial management and staff upheavals.
WNADA recently approved a $6,500 grant to BHCA for outreach to Bolton Hill residents – specifically those living in four high-rise senior apartment buildings that house nearly 1,000 residents. Grant-supported activities include “Arts in the Park” concerts for Linden Park Apartments, Bolton North Apartments, Bolton Place Apartments and Marlborough Apartments. Grant funds also could be used for the community-wide potluck picnic in Sumpter Park and the annual Festival on the Hill. It is unclear whether the staffing changes will affect the grant.
BGE review of Lanvale Street fires continues
BGE stated in an October email to BHCA that investigations and analysis are ongoing regarding the Aug. 25 fires that affected homes on W. Lanvale Street and in the 1300 blocks of Park Avenue and Bolton Street. BGE said they expect to have a report ready for the community at the Nov. 3 BHCA community meeting. BGE officials said they have not identified “any emergency conditions that would jeopardize the safety, reliability, or integrity of [BGE’s] electric system or pose an immediate threat to the Bolton Hill community.”
In September BGE conducted visual inspections of overhead lines and equipment, performed engineering reviews, replaced a missing electrical cable, and confirmed through testing that voltage levels at key equipment were within specified and acceptable limits. The Baltimore City Fire Department is completing its report, and homeowner Jamie Morganstern, whose home at 214 W. Lanvale Street was severely damaged, is conducting his own analysis.
On a happier note, Morganstern, his wife Sarah Serino, two children, and their dog have moved to a house also in the 200 block of Lanvale while their house is being restored.
Memorial Players returns next month with “Annie “
After a seven-year lull, Memorial Players will return in November to present the iconic musical “Annie,”” set as a 1940s radio show. It’s a full show featuring music, dialogue, and radio show elements such as a “Foley Table” with live sound effects and signs directing the audience to applaud.
Showtimes are Saturday and Sunday, Nov 7, at 7 p.m. and Nov 8, at 3 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Memorial Players is a ministry of Memorial Episcopal Church, 1401 Bolton Street. Handicap accessible through the side door on Lafayette Street. For questions, email: memorialplayers@gmail.com.
Celebrating the Park Avenue Medians: Past, Present & Future, on Nov. 13
Earlier this year BHCA was awarded a $190,000 grant from the State of Maryland to repair and refurbish the eight 19th-century monumental cast-iron urns and two historic fountains that grace the Park Avenue Medians. The neighborhood will celebrate this exciting investment in one of Bolton Hill’s most distinctive historic treasures on Friday, Nov. 13, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the old sanctuary at Strawbridge Apartments at the corner of Park Avenue and Wilson Street.
About the Bulletin . . .
Thanks to Sallye Perrin, a regular writer for The Bulletin, for stepping forward to edit this month’s issue while the editor was out of the country. Our designer is Elizabeth Peters and our proofreader is Paula Jackson. In an effort to democratize, we’re asking BHCA’s Communications Committee to step up and help plan coming issues. If you have a great idea for a story, share it with one of them or send it to bulletin@boltonhillmd.org . Members of the communications committee include Chevel Bess, Maurice Corbett, Dolph Druckman, Don Feuerstein, David Nyweide, Joe Piccinini, Linda Rittleman, Paula Jackson, Lisa Savage, Lee Tawney and John Timson.
Errors and omissions are the responsibility of the editor, Bill Hamilton. Feedback is welcome: bulletin@boltonhillmd.org .
