Rotunda Update: Snark Free

So there's news on the Rotunda front, and I present it without comment on my end:

They're getting ready to begin construction in April 2008 and estimate that it will take almost 3 years. As expected, an expanded Giant & Rite-Aid will be part of the project, and there will be other national chains: "soft goods" and "a book store" and a movie theatre. There's talk of locally based retail moving in as well. The plan is for be 300 apartments, 40 condos, a hotel and some rowhouses.

There's lots of talk of creating a kind of fake "downtown" with a plaza and outdoor seating.

Traffic is going to be a mess as there are some problems that can't be solved unless "additional property is acquired." There will be, however, tons of parking and shuttle service from other Baltimore locations.

There's going to be public art, and the committee to select the work is made up of representatives from The Baltimore Cultural Alliance and The Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts, as well as an artist/college professor.

The only folks they're interested in getting feedback from are the following:

Elm Avenue Residents
38th Street Residents
Keswick Multicare
Roland Park Place
Zurich
Apartment complex at 40th and Roland
Wyman Park residents (Keswick Road)

Talk amongst yourselves!