When Mt. Washington was Almost Home to Morgan State - Mount Washington Improvement Association
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WWW . M W I A . ORG JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
When Mt. Washington
was Almost Home to
Morgan State
By DANIELLE SHAPIRO
In 1913, Morgan College President John O. Spencer, looking
for a new location for the institution, considered the hunting
lodge of Declaration of Independence signer Charles Carroll at
the corner of Cross Country, Pimlico, and Greenspring. Indus-
trialist Andrew Carnegie supported the college and pledged
Photo by Karen Donley.
$50,000 for a new building in its chosen location, as it had
The property on which the historic Carroll Hunting Lodge sits was once
lacked room for expansion at its location at Edmonson and considered as a potential site for Morgan State University.
Fulton Avenues in West Baltimore.
The plan was vigorously opposed by the Mount Washington segregationist, racist views prevalent in Baltimore at the time.
Improvement Association. At a community meeting on The Baltimore Sun reported that the letter concluded, “As a
September 29, 1913 at the Mount Washington Casino, racial suburban development, Mount Washington stands next to
tensions were high as residents sought to prevent the building Roland Park in picturesqueness, in attractiveness, in the value of
of the campus there. Fervent opposition led to 1,500 letters sent its real estate and in the character of its improvements. The loca-
to residents urging a united opposition which reflected the tion of a negro college and a negro settlement almost in the very
See Carroll Lodge, page 10
Blue Ocean Provides Some Answers to Community Questions
By KAREN DONLEY Ocean’s statement were shared with the the subject of a February 23 meeting of
karenmwia@gmail.com community via email by Ellie Mitchell in the City Board of Municipal & Zoning
mid-January. Appeals.
As attendees to the event know, Blue The original Overlook project is the The MWIA Board has not yet taken a
Ocean did not attend the January 5 forum subject of continued litigation after a position on the development. The Board
on the proposed variance requested for Baltimore Circuit Court judge ruled that will be communicating with some of the
the Overlook Project and offered instead the City Council improperly approved the adjacent community associations who
to provide written answers to community project in 2019. At the time the project are, at this point, opposed to the project.
questions. MWIA President Ellie Mitchell planned was an 80-foot-high, six story
offered Blue Ocean the opportunity to apartment building behind The Falls at Selected Community Questions
share materials and a statement. Answers the intersection of Falls Road and and Blue Ocean Answers
to the questions were disseminated via Northern Parkway. While the issue is still
email; we reproduce a selection of them under litigation, Blue Ocean has 1. The traffic pattern as shown, with entry
here, the number of which was edited for requested a variance to build the project to the project being a left turn from the
space. The full set of questions and Blue to an 89-foot height. Their request will be parking lot of The Falls looks dangerous
See Blue Ocean, page 11WWW . M W I A . ORG
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2020-2021 CONTACT THE MWIA NEWSLETTER
Officers Peter Garver Directors Emeriti
peter@garverdevelopment.com The newsletter of the Mount Washington
Lindsey White
Ellie Mitchell Kristin Glass Improvement Association is distributed six
lindsey.a.white8@gmail.com
President kristinyc@gmail.comt
John Mack times a year to all residents of Mount
ellie@elliemitchell.org
Courtney Hill jw.mack@comcast.net Washington and includes information on the
Robin Truiett-Theodorson doctorachill@gmail.com news, people, activities, and businesses of
Vice President
Ben James Area Director the neighborhood, as well as the actions of
rtruiett@yahoo.com
Benjamin_a_james@yahoo.com the Association's Board of Directors. The
Deb Kleiner Mary Jo Harris
Tim Kearley mjharris422@comcast.net
newsletter can be contacted at
Vice President
chblow@gmail.com news@mwia.org with story ideas, calendar
debkleiner1@comcast.net
Deb Kleiner listings, volunteering interest, and other
Ellen Spokes Area Captains
debkleiner1@comcast.net inquiries. Advertising in the newsletter
Secretary 1- Ari McCown Fleagle
elinorspokes@gmail.com
generates revenue that is used to support the
John Mack kamccown@gmail.com
jw.mack@comcast.net MWIA and community; interested advertisers
Ben James Larry Mangum
busanlyst@aol.com should contact advertising@mwia.org for
Treasurer Sue May
Benjamin_a_james@yahoo.com baltimoresue@gmail.com
information on rates and publication.
2- Esther Fleischmann
Jere Morrel Ellie Mitchell efleischmann@mac.com
Membership secretary ellie@elliemitchell.org 3- Marion Phipps — Karen Donley
jere.morrel@gmail.com Jere Morrel marrionphipps07@comcast.net Editor
Jere.morrel@gmail.com 4- Joan Wisner-Carlson
Directors Cheryl Nichols jwisnercarlson@gmail.com
Kimberly Brodie-Hopkins cherylnichols1@icloud.com 5- Lu Pierson Area captains are liaisons between the seven
butterfly821@iclould.com Ellen Spokes lu.pierson@verizon.net community areas and the MWIA. Contact your area
Richard Chamberlain elinorspokes@gmail.com 6- Greg Walsh captain to raise and discuss issues you would like to
rpchamberlin@verizon.net Robin Truiett-Theodorson greg@gregwalsh.com see addressed by the MWIA, or to otherwise obtain
Louise Cornell rtruiett@yahoo.com 7- Betsy Royall information about the neighborhood and other
louisecornell@comcast.net Josh Weiss betsy@betsycasting.com assistance. A map of the seven areas can be found at
wjoshweiss@gmail.com mwia.org/about.html
Paul Drutz-Hannahs
pauldrutzhannahs@gmail.com
2JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
NEIGHBORHOOD NOTEBOOK
Racial Equity and Inclusion Committee to Host First Meeting of the Mt. Washington Improvement Association. Photos will be
Book Club Meeting displayed on the MWIA website and Facebook page after the open board
meeting.
The Mount Washington Improvement The MWIA is sponsoring the exhibit in the following categories: Archi-
Association’s Racial Equity and Inclusion tecture, Nature, Dogs (and other pets), Institutions, Parks, Recreation,
Committee is holding the first meeting of their Hiking and Biking, Families and Kids. This is not a competition; all submis-
book club. The purpose of the club is to spark sions to the Picture Mt. Washington Exhibit are welcome. Accepted
conversation over issues of racial equity and photographs are limited to depictions taken in Mt. Washington by Mt.
inclusion in our community. The choice for Washington residents or business owners. By submitting to Picture Mt.
their inaugural meeting is Between the World Washington, owners of the photographs are permitting reproduction on the
and Me by Baltimore native Ta-Nehisi Coates. MWIA website and social media accounts. Send submissions to mwiaso-
The book was inspired after Coates’ cial@gmail.com by February 8, 2021 and share your Mt. Washington with
reread James Baldwin’s 1963 book The Fire everyone.
Next Time the first few pages of which are
letters written by Baldwin to his 15-year-old The Hashtags for Food and Fashion
nephew. Coates’ book, however, is entirely a letter written to his son in a
different age. The January #TakeOutOnTheMount campaign to highlight Village
The virtual meeting will be held Sunday, February 21, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. restaurants for socially distanced deliciousness was very successful. See In
The Race Equity and Inclusion Committee aims to spark dialogue and action and Around Mt. Washington for pictures of the bounty before the photo
around issues of racial equity, power, privilege, and systemic oppression. subjects disappeared for dinner.
Join them for their inaugural event! The book can be purchased at the Ivy The campaign was so popular, we’ll be hashtagging community flair and
Bookshop through this link: fashion. The rules are easy: Residents and business owners can hashtag
https://www.theivybookshop.com/book/9780812993547. Register for the photographs of their uniquely Mt. Washington flair and fashion purchased
event at https://tinyurl.com/y9edhgmt. If you have any questions regarding at a village (or very nearby village) merchant. Use the hashtag #FashionOn-
this event, please email the committee at mtwash.rei.bookclub@gmail.com. TheMount and tell us from which village merchant you bought your
fabulous Mt. Washington look. Whether it be a new ‘do, retro clothing, bike
The Social Committee Announces the First Annual accessories, or a pizza sauce stain shaped like Africa, we want to see what
Picture Mt. Washington Exhibit. Mt. Washington looks like on you! Hashtag your fashion February 8 through
15 on the MWIA Facebook or email your photo to mwiasocial@gmail.com,
Show us your Mt. Washington – your vision of our community – and identify the photographer, any identifiable subject in the photo, and the
share it (virtually) with your neighbors at the February 9, 2021 Open Board merchant and you’re good to glow!
In and Around Mt. Washington
We use this pictorial feature to highlight life in our leafy corner of Baltimore.
Although we can’t guarantee we will have space to run this feature every issue or accept
every submission, we’ll consider all reader photo contributions with credit, captions, and
permission of identifiable individuals captured on film. Send any submissions to
news@mwia.org.
MWIA’s #TakeOutOnTheMount campaign to bring attention to
Woodrow’s BBQ was a favorite in the #Take-
the Village’s great restaurants was a resounding success.
OutOnTheMount Campaign.
Members hashtagged their takeout and posted it to the MWIA
website. This repast from Abbey Burger was photographed
and enjoyed by Ellen Spokes.
Chiyo Sushi presented
a photo of their
incredible selection
of special rolls.
After she took this photo, Joan Wisner-Carlson
enjoyed jambalaya from Ethel’s Creole Kitchen
3WWW . M W I A . ORG
School Spotlight
A PTO Mid-Year Check-In
By DAVE MCMURRAY Mount Washington School didn’t stop personally witnessed my kids transition
mws.pto.president@gmail.com with the virus, but neither has the to a level of computer adeptness I may
https://www.mountwashingtonschool.or creativity of our PTO or the dedication of personally never have and as I have
g/donate our administration, teachers, families, watched teachers exercise incredible
and community. patience and tech expertise. I am grateful
Happy New Year, Mount Washington This fall, our families and community to you because as I have worried and
Community! Dave McMurray here with (you!) have showed up to help. Thanks to fretted and wondered what tomorrow
another update from The Mount you all, we have maintained the school would bring for our kids, you have
Washington School Parent Teacher grounds. We have hosted a math night, a showed up to help. Thank you. Your
Organization. It may be a new year, but fall decorating competition, and a giving contribution matters. Your support is not
for the PTO, it’s time for our mid-school drive. We have had numerous successful taken for granted.
year check-in. The school, the PTO, and Dine-Out events - some of our most I look forward to a 2021 where we can
the world faced unprecedented challenges successful ever. You signed up or donated continue to defy the odds with a strong
in 2020. The school shifted to online for our virtual race, the Covid Can’t Keep level of support for MWS. If you haven’t
learning, and the PTO, along with Us Down Virtual Fun Run and Walk, donated, but wish to, you can donate
everyone else, hunkered down. Frozen by sourcing more funds to support your online at:
the virus, there was little we could do community school. You bought our mountwashingtonschool.org/donate, or
except cancel our Spring 2020, including pumpkins, holiday greenery, and school email: mws.pto.president@gmail.com,
everyone’s favorite event, the Taste of gear, and by doing so, supported equity and I’ll send you a pledge envelope.
Mount Washington. for the students of MWS. Finally, when You, Mount Washington Community
Going into the Fall of 2020, we were we undertook the gargantuan effort of the Member, mean so much to our school
coming off the summertime high of low MWS Telethon, our biggest fundraiser of and community.
virus counts and lots of outside time. I, the last two years, you answered the call
for one, was hopeful that we’d be back in for help.
classes by October. However, we knew Your contributions have smoothed the
that the needs of MWS would remain transition to on-line learning, helped
unpredictable and that we needed to train our teachers, and funded basic
figure out new and creative ways to be teacher and administration needs. I am
prepared. The fundraising needs of the most grateful to you all as I have
Come Worship &
Be a Part of Us!
www.stjohnsmt.washington.org
4JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
CURB APPEAL By JOAN GOLDMAN — joan@cummingsrealtors.com
Buying Real Estate in Norway vs Maryland
My daughter and her husband just appointments are rather rare: if you want to see the place before
purchased their first home (a condo) in bidding, you must go during an open house. My daughter said
Norway this past July. As they were working there would often be 20 or more people crammed in the place
through the process, I was intrigued how during an open house. I’m not sure if this has changed during
different it is from buying a home in Maryland. I know each COVID, but I hope so! The auction goes live at a certain day and
state in the United States is slightly different, but seeing how time and the bidding begins. I guess they don’t have to worry
another country operates to me was fascinating. about appraisals! I know my daughter lost a couple of condos
First of all, there are only realtors for the seller. The buyers due to being outbid, but they ultimately purchased a new build,
are on their own. The purchase is by an online auction. Think which cut down on the stress of an auction as the price is set
ebay for houses. In order to bid, you must register with the and you buy directly from the builder.
official Bank ID system to make sure it is actually you doing the In Maryland, appliances come standard with homes. Not so
bidding. Once confirmed, you are then able to text your bids. in Norway. Most homes may come with kitchen appliances, but
Your loan amount is primarily based on your income. Say rarely a clothes washer and dryer. New builds often don’t come
you and your partner each make $50,000 (total of $100,000 per with any appliances. No stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, as well
year). You will be allotted up to 5x that amount, so you could as no closets or lighting – you have to add those yourself. I
buy a place for up to $500,000. Other debt may affect the rate of found that particularly odd, no closets? And finding carpenters
interest. However, you must put down 15% to even get in the in Norway is more difficult than you’d imagine.
real estate game. Compare that to what many new buyers put Contracts in Norway sound like they are the same length as
down here today: 3.5%, 5% or 10%, with some loans (VA, ours in Maryland. The actual contract is around 14 pages, but
doctors) not requiring any amount down! additional pages are added for various addenda.
An inspection is done before the house is listed and the We use title companies who oversee the legal transfer of
inspection document is provided as part of the sales ownership. Here title companies look up the deed, make sure
material/brochure that's posted online and handed out to there are no outstanding liens on the property, provide title
interested buyers. Things are rated on a scale of "TG 0-3" insurance, use the lender’s money to pay off the seller’s loan,
(degree of condition"). TG0 is perfect/brand new, TG1 is figure out to the day what the costs were for water, electricity,
excellent, TG2 may need some work, and TG3 needs substantial taxes and interest. They also order surveys, prepare all the
work/repair. I wish we would do our inspections prior to being documents that are signed by both buyers and sellers and send
listed. It would save time and weed out super picky buyers. someone to City Hall to have the new deed recorded. However,
In Norway, the number of rooms in a home are counted in Norway the government does all that. There aren’t title
differently than in the US. A 3-room apartment means it has 2 companies.
bedrooms and a living room. A 1-room apartment is a studio. Home ownership in Norway is high (the highest in Europe),
My daughter’s apartment is a 4-rooms apartment—they have 3 because there are so many incentives. Besides being able to
bedrooms and a living room. Doesn’t matter that 2 of the write off the interest from your loan, the actual loan rates are
bedrooms are so tiny most American’s wouldn’t even count extremely low. My daughter’s loan is around 1.3%. Once you
them (11 ft x 6 ft). Kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms have acquired more than a certain amount of money, you are hit
aren’t counted separately, never mind family rooms or any other with a wealth tax, so it pays to invest that money in real estate
kind of room. as it doesn’t count against the wealth tax.
The seller must disclose any defects they are aware of, and
are liable for up to 5 years after the sale if anything goes wrong.
Best,
Even something as simple as not disclosing they had an insect
Joan
problem. Can you imagine being liable for 5 years post-
settlement?
There are typically only two open houses, each for one hour,
one on a Sunday and another during the week. Individual
Joan Goldman is a Realtor with Cummings & Co. and can be reached at 443-255-4858.
5WWW . M W I A . ORG
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Ok, Greta, We will Get Started: Part I
By LIBBY BAKER change plus government policy and driving cars, and using airline
Libby.baker1@gmail.com corporate action can make a difference. transportation, for example, are among
& FRANK LEE Bill McKibben and other activists have the highest carbon emitters among all
techedteacher@gmail.com had some success urging corporate action humans.
as they work to reduce funding for If we in this country are the “global
Swedish climate change activist, 18- continuing fossil fuel projects, claiming rich,” what can we do to heed Greta’s
year-old Greta Thunberg, has become an that banks fuel global warming and challenges? We might think that the
international figure instigating a global therefore are a key to change. Still others pandemic reduced fossil fuels and we are
youth movement which demands that we argue that individuals in numbers saving some energy. At the same time,
all DO something to decrease global reducing fossil fuel use at the household energy use has increased due to more
warming and protect their futures. She and community levels reduce online purchases delivered to homes,
has sternly and directly scolded consumption, thereby reducing demand more computer use, etc. Expanding
international leaders in many venues that and decreasing profitability to fossil fuel hospital demands add more. So, where
they have failed the world’s youth and corporations. Such lifestyle changes can do we go from here?
children. She calls out empty promises provide a more sustainable way forward First, we need to look at what is fossil
with no action to reduce fossil fuel use and influence politicians. fueled in our daily lives. Can we reduce
while trapped greenhouse gases heat the Yes, we can continue to try to those levels by a factor of 30, as the UN
planet. “The planet is on fire!” she influence our congressional suggests, and begin saving our children’s
shouts. The leaders politely smile and representatives for better energy policies, futures? What would that look like? Must
clap professing admiration while posing but Congress has become stymied. We we live in austerity? Is making changes
for selfies with her. However, to date not can contribute to energy advocacy groups, gradually fast enough? What would it take
much has changed by the fifth but we must look again at what we can do to reduce our usage and can we do it step
anniversary of the Paris Climate Accord. ourselves. Our argument here is that by step? Certainly, each of us can assess
Few countries are on track to meet individual household and community what is possible for us to do and how it
pledges. So, what are we to do, Greta? changes have an important role to play. would affect our families, short term and
Many argue that only policy changes On Dec. 9, 2020, The United Nations long term. Project Drawdown
like the Paris Accord matter and that Environment Program published new (https://drawdown.org/) has helpful
individual behaviors do not add up to findings that the world’s wealthy will recommendations for an Energy Descent
much in the fight to reduce global need to reduce their carbon footprints by Plan with 100 specific and doable
warming. Some argue that individual a factor of 30 to help put the planet on a adaptations. The book is free online and
path to curb the ever-worsening impacts can guide us.
of climate change. Surprisingly, they To begin, we can assess our energy
count the global rich as those with annual inventory. Ask yourself, what fossil fuels
incomes of over $109, 000. do you use for what activities in your
Many in that category do not think of household. This exercise may seem too
themselves as “rich.” In the US, this elementary at first, but it can be useful to
figure is viewed as middle class. Those of remind us what we use, what the sources
us in this category may not think of are, and where we might begin to reduce.
ourselves as driving climate change by What fossil fuels do we use for what
our use of fossil fuels. However, activities?
according to the UN, we are a significant Natural gas comes largely from
part of the issue. All of us living in fracking for domestic use and for
modern heated homes with lawns, international sale. Natural gas may fuel
6JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
our furnace or boiler, domestic hot water, Alternatively, renewables such as wind
and often the clothes dryer unless it is farms, solar farms, local community Community Calendar
electric. For example, at the Cove Point solar, and rooftop solar PV can provide
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8
LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) Terminal, an our electricity with reduced power grid Picture Mt. Washington Deadline
offshore liquid natural gas shipping requirements. Wind turbines and Send your submission to this photo exhibit by email:
mwiasocial@gmail.com
terminal in Lusby, Maryland, gas is frozen geothermal are good sources of energy,
into a liquid before shipped, using even but difficult on the individual level. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8 – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15
#FashionOnTheMount
more fossil fuels, not to mention the Passive solar building design can Hashtag photographs of your uniquely Mt.
additional energy needed to ship globally. provide some heating and cooling with Washington flair and fashion purchased at a village
(or very nearby village) merchant. Submit your
Gasoline and diesel are refined crude no fuel input at all. photo on the MWIA Facebook page or email it to
oil. We use them for our vehicles – cars, Can you think of other energy sources mwiasocial@gmail.com along with the name of the
photographer and subject and which village
trucks, motorcycles unless we have in your home?
merchant from which you purchased that special
electric ones; lawn mowers and leaf This is a start, Greta, of what we can something.
blowers (highly polluting), and do. To be continued in the next
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12
generators. Sustainable Living Columns. A Happy Save the Date: Trivia Night
Natural gas, diesel, coal, hydroelectric Fossil Fuel Freer New Year! The MWIA Social Committee presents an online
Trivia Night. Watch the MWIA Facebook page for
and nuclear generate electricity in remote details on how to register.
generators transported over the region-
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21
wide power grid. REIC Book Club
2:00pm
The MWIA Racial Equity and Inclusion Committee is
holding the first (virtual) meeting of their book club
to discuss Ta-Nahesi Coates’ Between the World and
Me by Ta-Nahesi Coates. Register for the event at
https://tinyurl.com/y9edhgmt
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Baltimore City Board of Municipal & Zoning Appeals
1:00pm
Scheduled hearing on the planned Blue Ocean Overlook
building. Information regarding virtual hearings:
https://zoning.baltimorecity.gov/virtual-hearings
RECURRING EVENTS
LUCKMAN PARK CLEAN-UP
Luckman Park Clean-Up - 10 am–12 pm
Luckman Park, 2809 Glen Avenue
Join the Friends of Luckman Park on the first
Saturday and third Sunday of every month – weather
permitting – for trash pickup, leaf raking, gardening,
and other general park cleaning. Come for all or part;
RSVP (to luckman.park@gmail.com) helpful but not
necessary.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9
MWIA Board Open Meetings - 7:00 pm
All community members are welcome. Register at
https://bit.ly/MWIAFEB2021.
Mount Washington Improvement Association Closed
Board Meetings take place on Zoom Tuesday
evenings during every other month. During the
closed board meetings, there are more focused and
in-depth discussions of community issues,
problems, and resolutions. If you wish to attend a
closed meeting, please contact the MWIA President
at president@mwia.org with your request.
7WWW . M W I A . ORG
Mt. Washington “Good Neighbor” Volunteers at MWPH
By ANDY WAYNE daytime providers have a lot on their
Director of Marketing and plates every day to help those families
Communications, MWPH through the difficult times when their
children are in our hospital. I really
Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital admire all those who do the daytime work
provides family-focused, integrated care with these complicated medical issues,
to children with serious, chronic or communicating with multiple consultants
complex medical needs. The hospital has and other providers, establishing and
a talented staff dedicated to the health and maintaining good connections with the
recovery of children in our care. This is the families, beyond the direct patient care.
second “Good Neighbors” interview for The people I work with here are genuinely
this newsletter and we’re featuring pedia- caring and attentive to the patients and
trician Karen Willing, a nocturnist families.
charged with caring for patients and
admitting new patients to the hospital What compels your giving? Is it related
usually during night time hours. We spoke to your efforts providing health services
to Dr. Willing about her work at MWPH. for children at the hospital?
I’m grateful for having a job that I love,
How are you involved with Mt. Wash- and I think that giving back is important, Dr. Karen Willing cares for MWPH patients during
the night-time hours.
ington Pediatric Hospital (MWPH), and really more of a duty, to help make the
how did you get involved? world a better place in any small way that
I am a pediatrician, and currently work I can. In the case of MWPH, I hope that it
full-time at MWPH as a nocturnist, helps to provide something better, even if
meaning that I work mostly night shifts. just a little sense of normalcy, to those in a high chair, feeding himself, and I was
I’m available for any questions or prob- kids who have different needs, but are still just really amazed and felt a bit emotional.
lems that come up overnight. I first began just kids. It is easy to give to organizations It was such a remarkable change from
taking occasional night shifts over 10 or causes when you believe in their when I had last seen him.
years ago, off and on, but when a full-time mission, and their collective efforts.
position was developed for on-site call on Why might other Mt. Washington
nights and weekends, I made the switch Can you share a meaningful moment neighbors be interested in supporting
from ER/urgent care shifts at another local of your work at MWPH? MWPH?
hospital to full time at MWPH. I remember about 11-12 years ago MWPH is very different from other
seeing a toddler who had just been children’s hospitals or pediatric wards.
What do you enjoy about working at admitted for continued care and rehabili- The patients often need to be there for
MWPH? How is this hospital different tation following acute hospitalization weeks or months, and their needs are
from others? after severe brain injury from trauma. sometimes different from those of other
The patients at MWPH are often quite Without going into more details, it was a pediatric patients, but the basic needs are
fragile, and/or have complex medical very sad case where the child was still not important to recognize as well. Besides
histories— not your typical kids with responding to stimuli and was reported to special equipment, extra teaching for
colds or short-term problems. They are have no purposeful movements at that families (and older children for
transferred from other hospitals after time. I saw him move his finger when I themselves), psychological and nutritional
acute care or surgeries, for ongoing treat- examined him which seemed to be new by services, etc., they also need “typical kid”
ment, teaching, and/or rehabilitation previous reports, but was not necessarily things, like books, toys, baby swings and
services. The stress level can be quite high purposeful. Many months later, I was back rocker-type things, tutoring/school work
for families, and the nurses and main for another shift and I saw this same child and access to virtual classes, as well as
8JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
general attention and caring. Things are have already gone through a lot in their For information on how you can get
harder now for patients and families short young lives, and giving to MWPH involved with Mt. Washington Pediatric
because of the pandemic precautions, but means giving some extra help and hope to Hospital, contact Andy Wayne, Director of
our patients still get the best care from our them and their families when they need it Marketing and Communications,
regular providers and nurses. We have most. andy.wayne@mwph.org.
some really resilient and tough kids who
MT. WASHINGTON MT. WASHINGTON MT. WASHINGTON MT. WASHINGTON
6109 MAYWOOD AVE 2214 SULGRAVE AVE 2218 SULGRAVE AVE 2416 W ROGERS AVE
$839,000 $450,000 $460,000 $520,000
LD LD LD
SO SO SO
MT. WASHINGTON MT. WASHINGTON MT. WASHINGTON MT. WASHINGTON
2213 SOUTH RD 2306 SOUTH RD 5606 ROXBURY PL 2407 KEN OAK
$540,000 $546,000 $570,000 $650,000
LD LD LD LD
SO SO SO SO
9WWW . M W I A . ORG
“Carroll Lodge,” continued from page 1
heart of this village would not only retard charged with insuring safe traffic flow
if not prevent further development but along Smith Avenue-Northern Central
would immeasurably depreciate values grade crossing. It may have been more
throughout this neighborhood.” appropriate to name the street after resi-
The mayor of Baltimore James Preston dents in the African American
wrote a letter supporting the MWIA community who lived and worshiped
writing that the college should not be in there. St. Andrew’s Methodist Episcopal
the suburb due to a “natural desire of and a Baptist congregation housed in
white people to live separately.” Mount two discarded trolley cars on the North
Washington was not even part of Balti- side of Western Run (according to histo-
more at that point, but his view coincided rian Mark Miller) served the African
with the City Council’s support of segre- American community of the immediate
gation laws. Morgan College faced area and of Cross Keys. The thriving
opposition from other areas of Baltimore community included a school and many
but eventually settled outside of the City’s residents whose comings and goings
border on a northeast Baltimore parcel. were chronicled in Baltimore’s Afro
The choice of the Carroll Hunting American Newspaper.
Lodge was actually not out of character The steel stringer Kelly Avenue
The lead paragraphs from the September 26, 1913
for that part of Mt. Washington (now Bridge was built in 1925, eleven years issue of The Baltimore Sun citing community opposi-
Cheswolde). The location was very close after Mount Washington was annexed to tion to moving Morgan College to Greenspring and
Kelly avenues.
to an African American community on Baltimore City. Road widening damaged
Kelly Avenue following the path of the the African American section of the
stream bed known as the Western Run. neighborhood. Historian Linda Noll the African American community since in
An 1851 deed refers to the thoroughfare writes, “nearly half of the old African order to widen the roadbed, many homes
“located along the south side of Western American section was leveled.” Several of the Black community were razed. The
Run” – a winding lane commencing on generations of African American families road widening may explain while the
Second Street and following westward still lived there and kept the residential front steps of the remaining original
along the stream. In 1897, rail service district intact. In 1947 a 10-year-old piano houses on Kelly Avenue are positioned
was extended from Falls Road through swing artist prodigy, “Chick” Smith of close to the road. While Kelly Avenue
Mount Washington. Tracks were laid over 1917 Kelly Avenue, gained national atten- Bridge has its own Facebook page, there
an old trail running west and parallel with tion when he composed music on an are no markers, physical or virtual, to
the stream. abandoned piano left on a street car right memorialize the African American
This trail became Kelly Avenue named of way in front of his home. The boy’s community that once lived there. The
after Simon Kelly, a signal operator musical talent, discovered by neighbors many bikers and walkers who now enjoy
and featured in the Baltimore Sun, led to the new bike trail running through the
an invitation to the CBS “We the People” neighborhood are actually traveling
broadcast where he performed with his through a historic African American
idol Fats Waller. section of Mount Washington that
In the 1950s, the paving of Kelly deserves to be remembered.
Avenue to make room for cars and buses This article originally ran in 2019 as part
transformed it from a rough dirt street to of a two-part series on the historic African
a 36-foot-wide concrete road. The American community in Mt. Washington. It
streetscape changed dramatically with has been lightly edited to stand alone.
Joan Goldman automobiles gaining in popularity and
REALTOR®, ABR, CNE the addition of a major bus route along
the road. The Baltimore Sun records
Mobile 443.255.4858 Office 410.823.0033
joan@cummingsrealtors.com • cummingsrealtors.com much opposition from residents. Sadly,
this development was a further blow to
10JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
“Blue Ocean,” continued from page 1
as well as inefficient. Why is there not a 4. What will be the price-point of the undeveloped, does not have any such
turnoff from Northern Parkway directly units? Will there be some units set aside control of current storm water runoff. In
to the Overlook building? Has a traffic as affordable housing? If so, what is addition, the plan preserves over 6 acres
study been done and what were the meant as affordable? What percentage of of forest conservation of the more
results? Can you share it? the units will be considered affordable significant landscaping on the site
There is an entrance off Northern housing? In addition to the question responses,
Parkway in addition to the primary The new apartments would be market Blue Ocean also provided a
entrance off Falls Road at the northern rate and no subsidies for affordable statement/background which was
end of The Falls. The original plans were housing have been applied for. attached to the MWIA email on the topic.
carefully reviewed by the City's Site Plan If you have additional feedback and
Review Committee and DOT and 5. What benefits to Mount Washington thoughts to share for the MWIA to
approved. Since then, DOT has would you anticipate from this consider as we discuss and debate -
completed a larger traffic study to suggest development? please forward that correspondence to
improvements to the NP/Falls Additional residents are likely to mwiapresident@gmail.com. A folder of
intersection to better accommodate the benefit the Mt. Washington area retail information for everyone's reference is at:
dangerous traffic weaving from I-83 to merchants. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12
northbound Falls Road. Their study also 9CpTJya7PUvR7qq-nJtxc-
indicated that the vast majority of future 6. Is there a way to encourage foot traffic hkhDETnrb?usp=sharing
increased traffic affecting the intersection to the Mt. Washington Village by offering Here is information on how you can
was from Sinai Hospital. a footpath, steps, a bridge from the Falls participate in the city hearing and provide
and Overlook down to Falls road? written feedback to the zoning board:
2. What is the difference between the https://zoning.baltimorecity.gov/virtualh
The DOT traffic study has
PUD under litigation and your request earings. The hearing will take place on
recommended a new traffic signal at the
for this variance? February 23.
Falls/Overlook northern Falls Road
The variance request is for the same entrance that we support, both to slow
building as the PUD that was originally traffic and provide a safe way for
approved under the prior Zoning Code. residents to cross Falls Road to reach the
The new zoning code set a 35-foot height Village.
limit for both single family and
multifamily buildings and anything above 7. Would Blue Ocean consider
that requires a variance. If the Court contributing some of its annual revenue
approves the PUD, the variance is not to improving and developing our
needed. If the PUD is not approved, the community?
variance is needed under the new Zoning
Blue Ocean already contributes
Code.
substantial property taxes to the City
which are a matter of public record
3.Is there another possible design that
could be a compromise between the
8. What will be the environmental impact
current height limit and the height
of the development - of particular
proposed with this variance request?
concern is Stormwater runoff ? What
To be determined. We have discussed ways will the developer mitigate
alternatives with the surrounding environmental impacts?
community associations but have not
The City and State require all storm
received any response to date.
water from a 100-year storm to be stored
on site. The current property, while
11Presorted
Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
Baltimore, MD
Permit No. 5621
P.O. Box 10404
Baltimore, MD 21209
Dated Materials - Please Deliver Promptly
M E S S AG E F R O M T H E P R E S I D E N T
It is 2021, can you believe it? Finally. That the activities of the association. We are in the process of building a
other year, the one I will not name, is likely to go new website that is designed to provide the neighborhood with
down in infamy as the WORST YEAR EVER. resources and information you need.
With that in the rear-view mirror, we now get to We hope that you will resolve to renew your MWIA membership
celebrate new beginnings and make new so you can receive the 2021 Value Card. We can’t say enough about
resolutions. the Mount Washington Merchants who continue to support this
The Mount Washington Improvement initiative. Please take your cards and eat out, buy books, get a nice
Association welcomes Mayor Brandon Scott and bottle of wine and contribute to the recovery or our local businesses.
City Council President Nick Mosby and look forward to working with Whatever your goals and objectives are for 2021, we hope that
city leadership on the issues and concerns that are important to our you will find a way to get more involved in the community. Join a
community and the broader city. We also appreciate that as one of this MWIA committee, attend one of the regular clean-ups at Luckman and
last acts of service, Mayor Jack Young signed the Community Northwest Parks, write a newsletter article, participate in our new
Compact on the Pimlico Race Course Redevelopment Project. The Race, Equity and Inclusion community conversations. Please join us
Compact provides an articulated commitment to ongoing engagement for our next open meeting on February 9, 2021 at 7 p.m. to officially
and consultation with the neighborhoods directly impacted by activity congratulate and welcome Mayor Scott. Register in advance at
at Pimlico. As those opportunities are for the community to engage https://bit.ly/MWIAFEB2021. Anyone can join a committee at any time,
and provide feedback, we will be sure to share them and encourage just drop me a line at mwiapresident@gmail.com.
broad-based participation. Many thanks to our former president John
Mack and all the members who have served on the Pimlico Task Force Sincerely,
for their work to represent Mount Washington’s interests through all Ellie Mitchell
of the challenges and changes. President, MWIA
At the MWIA we are resolved in 2021 to respond to the survey
information we collected this past summer. One of the requests was to
have regular communication that provided additional transparency onYou can also read
