Spring Break
Future convenience store in Mt. Vernon faces controversy
Issue date: 12/4/08
"For community, this is not going to be the type of place which is going to draw investment," Warren said.
This sentiment was echoed by City Councilman William Cole. His 11th District includes Mt. Vernon Place.
"[The Mt. Vernon] neighborhood is one of Baltimore's true gems. You want to preserve your historical neighborhoods as best you can, and it's been one of the reasons people are moving from D.C.," Cole said.
There are no current laws which prohibit retail usage in Mt. Vernon Place. The only restrictions will be on signage, which Warren said would only amount to no "big Slurpy" advertising the location of the 7-Eleven.
Addressing these concerns that the 7-Eleven would indelibly alter the character of the area, Friedman, the owner 7-Eleven's proposed home, contended that these fears have been exaggerated.
"[The Mt. Vernon-Belvedere Association] jumped to conclusion as to what appearance would be without realizing how it could be integrated into the historic fabric of the community," Friedman said.
According to Friedman, some of the community association's resistance was because the 7-Eleven would stymie its long-held desire to turn the space into a visitor's center.
Cole intends to introduce legislation this Thursday aimed at curtailing some aspects of the development. His bill will propose that no convenience store may operate between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. in a landmark district.
While some in the community association acknowledge that opening a 24-hour convenience store in the area around Peabody is economically viable, Steven Shen, an area resident and chair of the Architectural Review board of the Mt. Vernon-Belvedere Association, contended that the area would require increased policing because of its presents.
"[Drug] dealers and clients, as well as prostitutes and johns may be frequenting this store," Shen said.
Members of the community association asserted that the city's planned 300-bed homeless shelter on the 600 block of Fallsway, three blocks east of the proposed 7-Eleven location, was a potential security factor which concerned them.
This sentiment was echoed by City Councilman William Cole. His 11th District includes Mt. Vernon Place.
"[The Mt. Vernon] neighborhood is one of Baltimore's true gems. You want to preserve your historical neighborhoods as best you can, and it's been one of the reasons people are moving from D.C.," Cole said.
There are no current laws which prohibit retail usage in Mt. Vernon Place. The only restrictions will be on signage, which Warren said would only amount to no "big Slurpy" advertising the location of the 7-Eleven.
Addressing these concerns that the 7-Eleven would indelibly alter the character of the area, Friedman, the owner 7-Eleven's proposed home, contended that these fears have been exaggerated.
"[The Mt. Vernon-Belvedere Association] jumped to conclusion as to what appearance would be without realizing how it could be integrated into the historic fabric of the community," Friedman said.
According to Friedman, some of the community association's resistance was because the 7-Eleven would stymie its long-held desire to turn the space into a visitor's center.
Cole intends to introduce legislation this Thursday aimed at curtailing some aspects of the development. His bill will propose that no convenience store may operate between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. in a landmark district.
While some in the community association acknowledge that opening a 24-hour convenience store in the area around Peabody is economically viable, Steven Shen, an area resident and chair of the Architectural Review board of the Mt. Vernon-Belvedere Association, contended that the area would require increased policing because of its presents.
"[Drug] dealers and clients, as well as prostitutes and johns may be frequenting this store," Shen said.
Members of the community association asserted that the city's planned 300-bed homeless shelter on the 600 block of Fallsway, three blocks east of the proposed 7-Eleven location, was a potential security factor which concerned them.
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