Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed $39 billion budget, unveiled this week, includes $12.9 million for upgrades at the Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Central Branch.
The funding is part of a larger state commitment for redevelopment inside the historic downtown landmark located at 400 Cathedral St.
Rendering of prospective appearance of Enoch Pratt Free Library Central Branch (Source: Enoch Pratt Free Library Facebook page)
The first Central Branch was built in 1886 at a nearby location on Mulberry Street. The current location, which utilizes an entire city block, opened in 1933.
The Central Branch has 1.5 million books and is the mother ship of the 21-branch Pratt system in Baltimore.
Last year, the state gave the Pratt $1.2 million for planning and design for the renovations. The total cost is expected to reach about $96 million, says Pratt Library CEO and President Carla D. Hayden.
The improvements made possible by this week’s announcement include high-tech upgrades in the building.
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Queue up a new marquee: After months of gussy-up work, the 237-room Marriott Inn & Conference Center, University of Maryland University College has a new name as well.
It will now be known as the College Park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center
Architects from the Dallas firm HKS added modern, stylish touches to existing meeting and event space located at 3501 University Blvd. in Hyattsville. The new center adds to the overall stepup of some of the commercial properties surrounding the University of Maryland campus in College Park as the area’s cachet continues to rise.
A 6,700-square-foot Potomac Ballroom was added and an additional 2,000 square feet of private, pre-function space were designed with large windows that overlook a garden. New decorations in the 8,200-square-foot Chesapeake Ballroom glitter around custom-made, metal-beaded chandeliers. A 250-seat conference dining room and 18 redecorated meeting rooms were also added.
“College Park Marriott Hotel and Conference Center’s new name and renovated spaces reflect the hotel’s commitment to provide an exemplary guest experience and dedication to serving the College Park community,” Mike McCarthy, general manager of the College Park Marriott, said in a statement.
Upgrades began in August 2012.
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This week, the Planning Commission in Frederick approved plans for a controversial, 190,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter.
The suburban development will be built at the northwest corner of Monocacy Boulevard and Route 26 and comes to fruition after two years of meetings among Wal-Mart, elected officials and city residents.
Discussions centered on concerns over traffic, landscaping and design — issues that are similar to those raised by residents in Baltimore over the 25th Street Station project, to be anchored by a Wal-Mart. In Frederick, the fear was that the huge development would further clog roads in the community, which is bordered by a large residential development.
The Frederick-based developer, Matan Cos., is expected to break ground for the megastore soon. It will be located in the Frederick Trading Center.
Another Wal-Mart Supercenter already exists in Frederick, on Guilford Drive near Buckeystown Pike.
“We at Matan are very appreciative of the effort put forth by Frederick City staff and the input received from the community to achieve a development which will be a win-win for all,” Karl Morris, a Matan executive, said in a statement.
TIDBITS: Kara Brook, an Owings Mills entrepreneur and Maryland Institute College of Art graduate, recently opened Honey House, a 2,200-square-foot store located at 10989 Red Run Blvd. to sell all things honeyfied. Brook said her shop is an offshoot of her e-commerce site Waxing Kara that features food, home and body products under the label “Bee Inspired Goods.” She is fond of saying, “Honey makes people very happy” and tends to a 102-acre farm on Kent Island, where 700 bees live in 14 hives. Last year, they produced 500 pounds of honey. … St. John Properties Inc. executives recently celebrated more than 1.2 million square feet of R&D/flex, office, retail and warehouse leases to over 240 companies last year. The company signed new leases and renewals totaling more than 2.6 million square feet in 465 transactions. … A joint venture of Alex. Brown Realty Inc., Largo Investments, JDS Development Group and Property Markets Group recently inked a $33.5 million sale of an apartment building in Brooklyn, N.Y., to 50 North 1st Street. … On Jan. 20, the newest apartment community in Columbia, Paragon at Columbia Overlook, will open for leasing tours. The development is located near the Gateway Overlook Shopping Center on Route 108. It will feature five four-story buildings that will hold 320 one- and two-bedroom apartment units. … Dimensions Healthcare System recently opened its first primary health care center in Suitland. The Family Health and Wellness Center offers dental care, women’s health services and family medical services. … Maryland’s more than 60 wineries are set to host “Passport Experience Events” this month through March on the weekends beginning Jan. 25 in Baltimore and Harford counties at establishments that include Basignani Winery, Boordy Vineyards, DeJon Vineyards and Woodhall Wine Cellars. … The new Bob Lucido Team of Keller Williams Select Realtors will soon open headquarters at 9251 Baltimore National Pike in Ellicott City. … Scott Wingrat was recently promoted to senior vice president of the corporate real estate advisory firm Cresa. He will lead the company’s nearly 2-year-old Baltimore office.
