I walked by these buildings today, and know the block well. I also slipped behind the alley to check how deep the lot is and check the buildings’ condition.

In short, it’s a disaster. These units are all extremely narrow, and the lot is very shallow — so shallow that one can’t really extend the structure to the rear, in part because there’s little option to include needed fire egress and windows, both due to the inherent shallowness of the lot and another structure directly abutting the lot behind it (keep in mind, code requires all bedrooms to have a window).

Literally the only thought I had when looking at the back was “holy shit”. There’s no amount of money you could pay me to convince me to walk into those buildings. Substantial parts of the rear exterior brick walls have actually collapsed up through multiple floors, with open views to the deteriorating interior — a majority of the floor joists have likely been rotted out for many, many years, and general damage looks to be multiple decades old — perhaps even predating the donation to the church. Was there a fire here many years ago?

I would also be shocked if the roof were salvageable at all, from what I can see. Large sections obviously collapsed long long ago.

Anyone renovating this structure is facing a complete demolition and rebuild of everything except the facade, and in the end, I don’t think you can squeeze more than 5 extremely narrow and relatively shallow row homes out of this, or perhaps 6-10 smaller apartments. I also suspect you would need to dedicate the current middle house to a central lobby and stairwell, further reducing your options. You could conceivably build more by extending upwards, but then you require an elevator ($$$) and have to engage in some post modern architectural features up top. The lot is situated such that retaining the facade AND trying to get large machinery and equipment in there would be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

This project would cost SEVERAL hundred thousand dollars, not unlikely pushing over the $1M mark, for a small handful of relatively awkward 1BR or studio units. At the same time, the Church’s already functioning center on that block is identical in style and represents at least half of the current total linear street footage of total structures in question (especially once taking into account the Preston Street side).

I’m all for expansion of residence options in this neighborhood and preservation of historical structures, but this lemon really just doesn’t seem to be worth the squeeze to me, and demolition still retains a substantial portion of the historical architectural heritage.

I also don’t subscribe to the notion that “gaps” on a block are inherently problematic — that’s an unnecessary and unfounded broad strokes aesthetic assertion, or at least one that’s highly dependent on individual context at best.

I understand. Don’t be defensive though. Many people are misinformed but become aware through your grounded debate. When dealing with Christian matters I add evidence text so people can’t refute especially since the Bible is the foundation of Christianity. I don’t get into doctrine debates only the words that are attributed to Christ words. Keep on teaching!

Ah! Understood now, thank you for clarifying. There are a lot of misconceptions flying around elsewhere in this comment section, so I was already feeling a little defensive, but it is definitely still my fault for presuming negative intentions; please forgive me.

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No, it's not. One could be on city council 2 terms, city council president 2 terms, then mayor 2 terms. Name one company that gives pensions after 8 years or troll somewhere else.

Not sure if gimmick is the word for it. They don’t slice pizza in Italy so them doing Neapolitan pizza unsliced is pretty reasonable.

Thank you!

Aha, yeah I do this with travel and it always back bites. Because I want to keep going and see more!

Verde for sure

Have billions of dollars…

We (as in the city) just passed a resolution limiting them to only 8 years of service (technically they can work somewhere else within the government, but the reality is they only get 2 terms). Is it any wonder they want a pension to start at that point?

The confusion is there because you took my comment as disagreement when I agree that the church has an obligation to the community around it vs the commenter who posted this church has no obligation to the community. Apologies for the confusion. I listed the scripture to show that the church has a responsibility to the community around it. Not legally but ethically and definitely binding by Christ command.

Reading all of the responses here make me realize how utterly dumb Baltimore voters are.

I think Ryan Dorsey who is a council member that was incredibly against the pension bill is pushing something like this, I’d follow his Twitter page

They can’t run for any other position though. It only 8 years total for all government positions.

Also your job sucks. Don’t make other people have worse positions in life because your job sucks.

Nah during their 2nd term they know they won’t be beholden to the people. They won’t face any political consequences so they’ll be free to do any crummy little thing during their 2nd terms.

JBGB’s across the street from the Ottobar. I had it recently and the crust was charred. Damn good pizza.

No the term limit is 8 years in a 12 year period and that’s it.

I hate the fact that the term limit passed( who the hell puta term limits on a treasury position?).

This is going to bite Baltimore in the ass 20-30 years from now. I guarantee it.

>How can any Christian, believe they don’t have an obligation to those around them.

So here’s why I’m confused, because you responded to my comment in which I literally listed the various ministries in the community from this one particular parish that results from such a religious obligation.

Old Testament came before the Church (of course), the Church started with Christ (rather a given, there), and the growth of the early Church coincided with writing the New Testament (see epistles), and the Church later codified all those into the Bible. Scripture and tradition (handed down starting from Christ, then thus to the apostles [see Pentacost], and so on and so forth) are considered inseparable in Orthodoxy. So yes, we follow scripture since it’s an integral part of Christianity. I’m still not seeing your point.

28 bucks for a deep dish pep is actually lower range of price points. Via313 in austin charges 30. Goodpie in vegas charges 34 for a pep. BluePan in denver charges 32.

FWIW I’ve had all of these and they’re all a good value.

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Glad to hear it. Thank you!

Verde, Noona’s, Paulie Gees, Johnny Rad’s, Hersh’s!

No, they are definitely open! We’ve ordered many pies from them during covid (pick-up) and been back to the restaurant after they reopened for in-door dining 5pm till 10ish I believe

JS is underrated pie for sure.