Baltimore's Block (city hall, crime, hotel)

[upinflamezzz]

This place looks like a bomb hit it. What an eyesore for the city. Not to mention, "The Block" has the highest priced alcohol in the country. I've been to almost every major city in the USA and how do the bars on "The Block" have the audacity to charge $8 for a can of beer? Manhattan, Dallas, San Francisco, San Diego, Key West, Portland all charge $4-$5 bucks and the girls are way better looking.
They need to turn "The Block" into a street of restaurants and shopping. Also, turn that big empty lot in front of City Hall into "free" parking so the people will come. They could drive the ghetto out of downtown. I know I'm bashing on the city I live in, but it's getting ugly out there.

[KodeBlue]

Originally Posted by upinflamezzz

This place looks like a bomb hit it. What an eyesore for the city. Not to mention, "The Block" has the highest priced alcohol in the country. I've been to almost every major city in the USA and how do the bars on "The Block" have the audacity to charge $8 for a can of beer? Manhattan, Dallas, San Francisco, San Diego, Key West, Portland all charge $4-$5 bucks and the girls are way better looking.
They need to turn "The Block" into a street of restaurants and shopping. Also, turn that big empty lot in front of City Hall into "free" parking so the people will come. They could drive the ghetto out of downtown. I know I'm bashing on the city I live in, but it's getting ugly out there.

I agree with this one actually. No more parking lots tho.

[tonygeorgia]

Originally Posted by upinflamezzz

This place looks like a bomb hit it. What an eyesore for the city. Not to mention, "The Block" has the highest priced alcohol in the country. I've been to almost every major city in the USA and how do the bars on "The Block" have the audacity to charge $8 for a can of beer? Manhattan, Dallas, San Francisco, San Diego, Key West, Portland all charge $4-$5 bucks and the girls are way better looking.
They need to turn "The Block" into a street of restaurants and shopping. Also, turn that big empty lot in front of City Hall into "free" parking so the people will come. They could drive the ghetto out of downtown. I know I'm bashing on the city I live in, but it's getting ugly out there.

Why get rid of it? If you don't like it dont go to it.

[Mahatma X]

I'm surprised its exits being so close to City Hall and the Police HQ, but this is Baltimore. I wouldn't go to the block at night though, not without something on me.

[nurider2002]

Although I don't actually visit the Block, I'm glad it's still there. It's one of the few landmarks downtown that has survived the revitalization of downtown. Although I'm pro revitalization, every major city should have a sleazy section for voyeurs and folks looking for trouble. It's like lexington market, I never actually go there anymore but like to know it's still around, even if not of the same quality it once was. Maybe its just nostalgia but, with the absence of old haunts like Marticks, the Congress Hotel, No Fish Today, I like knowing something is left of the Baltimore I used to know.

[L in sobo]

I have been there... during an alcoholic bender in my 20's... I remember a large fish-tank, a girl getting dressed in the women's bathroom stall while I was using it, and large swing. That is all I remember.

If it was gone- we would miss it. It is unique and ugly. But having the city crawling with Crate & Barrrels, Starbucks and Pottbellys would be BORING. I like places that you only "get" if you are from Baltimore.

[jonjj]

Originally Posted by L in sobo

I have been there... during an alcoholic bender in my 20's... I remember a large fish-tank, a girl getting dressed in the women's bathroom stall while I was using it, and large swing. That is all I remember.

If it was gone- we would miss it. It is unique and ugly. But having the city crawling with Crate & Barrrels, Starbucks and Pottbellys would be BORING. I like places that you only "get" if you are from Baltimore.

Let's tear down Bourbon Street in New Orleans and replace it with gentrified "family-fun" activities!

No thank you. The Block is just fine although a good street cleaning couldn't hurt!

[jrh0341]

I'm conflicted on the block. On one hand, it should definitely not be where it is. I have no issue with the idea of an area with strip clubs and all that, nor do I think you could ever get rid of it in Bmore. Might as well have it more or less confined to a central area. I just don't think it should be the centerpiece of the city. DC has seedy areas and strip clubs too, but they don't have them on Penn Ave. The block should be moved somewhere more marginal.

On the other hand, if they did move the block somewhere more remote and replaced it with something cleaner and more respectable, I think the new block might be more crime ridden than it is.

[mrboltonman]

Originally Posted by jrh0341

I'm conflicted on the block. On one hand, it should definitely not be where it is. I have no issue with the idea of an area with strip clubs and all that, nor do I think you could ever get rid of it in Bmore. Might as well have it more or less confined to a central area. I just don't think it should be the centerpiece of the city. DC has seedy areas and strip clubs too, but they don't have them on Penn Ave. The block should be moved somewhere more marginal.

On the other hand, if they did move the block somewhere more remote and replaced it with something cleaner and more respectable, I think the new block might be more crime ridden than it is.

If it was moved pretty much anywhere else then it would really be seedy.

[Miss Crabcakes]

Originally Posted by L in sobo

If it was gone- we would miss it. It is unique and ugly. But having the city crawling with Crate & Barrrels, Starbucks and Pottbellys would be BORING. I like places that you only "get" if you are from Baltimore.

^^^I've never spent any time on The Block but I agree with this.