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What is City Councilwoman and Ex-City Council President Mary Pat Clarke thinking? She wants to do away with the "corner store" in Baltimore City according to the Calvert Street Communist Party Newsletter.
It just goes to show you that even recycled politicians are nothing more than recycled ass clowns.
One of the keys to urban re-development -- as any local planning specialist will tell you -- is a robust combination of retail, services, and and residential together in tightly-knit communities. Typically, you will see an arrangement of "Retail on the first floor, services on the second floor, and residential on the third floor".
Why is this?
Well, ground level locations suck for residences. Period. Ever wonder why all the rowhomes in Baltimore are famous for their stoops? Because the living quarters aren't located right on ground level. You provide separation from the street and a degree of privacy not available in a ground floor arrangement.
Second, in the "good old days" -- when Baltimore was a hot and rocking city -- many times those second and third floor were occupied by the family that owned or operated the retail space on the ground floor. Nice combination.
More importantly, though, when you have a robust combination of "heads and beads", you have robust communities that are self-sustaining. People don't need to hop in to the car just to hit the grocery store for a pack of diapers. The neighborhood is "self-patrolling", because there is always someone there. When everyone heads of to work, there are local businesses that "keep an eye out" and at night, the families do the same for the businesses. Those same businesses are also little economic engines for the communities, providing jobs -- especially entry-level ones for teenagers -- that are sorely needed. Even beyond that, the businesses and services become involved in the life of the community, providing support for festivals, charitable causes, etc. Trust me-- the mom and pop bodega on the corner of Aliceanna and Thames is more likely to do that than the Walmart in Locust Point.
What really strikes me odd about this, is that it flies directly into the face of the great success stories of Baltimore's renaissance. When you look at the communities that have really come back in the last decade -- Fells Point, Canton, Brewer's Hill, Butcher's Hill, Federal Hill-- they ALL feature this robust mix. Hampden -- that hallmark of inner city redneck turned Birkenstock-wearing, tye-dye hippy chic -- never lost it, and that is why it survived.
You would think that a politician who was around at the earliest beginnings of that renaissance would get that.
Apparently not, as she is too busy applying clown makeup to her bum.