Category: News

Eastern Tech to Receive Temporary AC Units From County


With several Baltimore County schools closed on Oct. 2 due to excessive heat, County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced that he has identified up to $16 million in matching funds for air conditioning and heating units in county schools that do not have air conditioning.

These funds will be matched by $13.4 million in state funding awarded by the Maryland Interagency Commission on School Construction’s Healthy School Facility Fund.

Projects funded with the Healthy School Facility Fund and the county’s matching funds are estimated to be complete by spring of 2021. Six schools that will receive air conditioning units and that includes Eastern Technical High School in Essex.

BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams and Board of Education Chair Kathleen Causey issued statements following County Executive John Olszewski’s announcement.

We are appreciative to state and county elected leaders for their partnership in providing funding for temporary cooling solutions at six of our buildings without central air conditioning. During the last decade, we have made significant progress adding air conditioning in schools throughout the county through renovation and new building projects. This is another positive step that will provide more comfortable spaces for BCPS students to learn.” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams.

“Our first priority as a Board is ensuring our children are equipped with the tools they need to learn in environments conducive to their success. I am very grateful for County Executive Olszewski’s support to move forward much-needed temporary air conditioning projects in our district.” said BCPS Board Chair Kathleen Causey.

Blue Ocean Finalizes Purchase of Middle River Depot


-press release and photo from Blue Ocean-

Maryland-based developer Blue Ocean has announced its acquisition of The Middle River Depot, located in Eastern Baltimore County, Maryland. Middle River Depot is the largest industrial building in the state of Maryland, and is an expansive and historically significant property.

CBRE’s Mid Atlantic Institutional Group oversaw the sale of the 2-million-square-foot project to Blue Ocean. “Although there continues to be massive amounts of national, institutional capital flowing into industrial investments in the Mid-Atlantic region, this opportunity was acquired by a local investor who understands the strategic nature of the location, and who will work closely with the community to create value,” said Executive Vice President Bo Cashman of CBRE.

At nearly 2 million square feet, the facility is slated to become one of the largest Real Estate Opportunity Zone developments in the Mid-Atlantic and is expected to spur economic development and create thousands of jobs. A MARC train station is located within a couple hundred yards of the property, creating a transit-oriented and sustainable commercial real estate development that is rare in Baltimore County.

“We are thrilled with this acquisition and we are looking forward to honoring the great history of this site and bringing it into modern times,” said Blue Ocean President and CEO Jonathan Ehrenfeld. “Our team has put together an incredible program for this property, and we look forward to announcing several anchor tenants whom we are actively working with to join this project in the coming weeks or months.”

With a nod to the property’s history as a factory where B-26 bombers among other aircraft were manufactured during World War II, the site has been branded as “Aviation Station.” Blue Ocean plans to continue to house industrial users, manufacturers, and fabricators on site, along with retail, office, sports, and recreation-oriented tenants.

Eastern Savings Bank, a locally owned and operated community bank headquartered in Hunt Valley, provided acquisition financing for Blue Ocean that will jumpstart the development of the property. “Eastern Savings Bank is proud to partner with the visionary Blue Ocean team on this amazing project,” said Eastern Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer Joe Slovick. “Blue Ocean’s planned transformation of this historic property into a retail and leisure destination will build on the growth in this area and allow visitors to experience the beauty of this unique property in a new light.”

“Eastern Baltimore County is growing by leaps and bounds, and Blue Ocean is excited to be a part of that growth story,” adds Ehrenfeld. “We’re equally excited that we are able to offer something different and special that is rarely found in Baltimore County: historic buildings with great character being repurposed for a retail experience that will allow everyone to enjoy and experience this great historic treasure of Baltimore County’s past, each and every day.”

About Blue Ocean

Founded in 2004, Blue Ocean is a real estate investment and management company headquartered in Baltimore, MD. Blue Ocean is active in a variety of sectors within the real estate industry including multifamily, office, retail, industrial, hospitality, and self-storage. sectors. Today, the Blue Ocean portfolio consists of 23 properties valued at approximately $450,000,000. This portfolio consists of 3,000 apartment homes and almost 3,500,000 square feet of commercial space.

About Eastern Savings Bank

Eastern Savings Bank, an FDIC insured community bank, is committed to building relationships by providing personalized banking solutions and services. Some of our products and services include Residential and Commercial portfolio mortgage loans for clients

Cashless Toll Collection at Key Bridge Starts Oct. 30


The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) has set the date to begin cashless toll collection at the Francis Scott Key Bridge (I-695) in Baltimore. All-electronic toll collection at the Key Bridge will begin Wednesday, Oct. 30.
The Thomas J. Hatem Memorial Bridge (US 40) in Harford and Cecil counties will begin a cashless toll collection prior to the morning rush hour on Wednesday, Oct. 16.

As of those dates, cash will no longer be accepted as payment. New overhead tolling structures, or gantries, have been installed at the bridges to collect tolls electronically. The existing toll plazas will still be up at the Hatem and Key bridges until 2021. Drivers will continue through the plazas without stopping and must obey all roadway signs and speed limits, as these plazas will remain active work zones.

In spring 2021, work at the Hatem and Key bridges will be completed, including demolition of the toll plazas. At that time, motorists will be able to travel at highway speeds.

Officials announced the move to all-electronic tolling at the Hatem and Key bridges this past spring. Cashless tolling eases congestion, and it is anticipated that drivers using the Hatem and Key bridges will save $1 million in fuel and 44,000 hours each year by not stopping at toll booths. Less idling time also results in better fuel efficiency and reduced vehicle emissions. The change also increases driver safety and results in a safer work environment for employees.

E-ZPass® Maryland customers receive significant discounts at most Maryland toll facilities. At the Hatem Bridge – where tolls are collected in one direction only – the two-axle E-ZPass® toll rate is $6, and the two-axle Video Toll rate is $12. The E-ZPass® Hatem Bridge Discount Plans will remain available with cashless tolling. At the Key Bridge, the two-axle E-ZPass® toll rate is $3 and the two-axle Video Toll rate is $6. E-ZPass® commuter plans are available. Due to higher processing costs, the Video Toll rate is 50 percent above the cash/base rate with a maximum of $15 above the base rates.

Standard E-ZPass® transponders are free and there is no monthly fee for customers with Maryland addresses. Interested motorists can sign up for E-ZPass® Maryland at ezpassmd.com, by visiting the E-ZPass® Maryland Customer Service Center at the Hatem Bridge and Key Bridge, or at any other Customer Service Centers located adjacent to MDTA facilities. Registration is also available at many Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) locations or retail partners. A full list of locations is available at ezpassmd.com.

Kamenetz Remembered at Greenleigh at Crossroads


The late Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz was remembered in Middle River as the Greenleigh at Crossroads development dedicated a metal sculpture with two intertwined wings onsite to remember him.
“It was an honor to join Jill, Greg, and Daniel Kamenetz, as well as community leaders, for the unveiling of a statue dedicated to former County Executive Kevin Kamenetz at Greenleigh in Middle River,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. said about his predecessor.
“Kevin knew Greenleigh presented a once in a generation opportunity to improve not just Middle River but Baltimore County as a whole. The ongoing growth that we see here is a testament to his commitment to the residents of Baltimore County. I’m grateful for this reminder of Kevin, who gave his all for Baltimore County.”
Kamenetz died of cardiac arrest on May 10, 2018 in his final year in the County Executive office. He was also a Democratic candidate for Maryland governor during his passing.
Councilwoman Cathy Bevins represents the Middle River area and she also attended the ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 24.
“What a beautiful day to honor the late County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. Today many gathered for the unveiling of the sculpture dedicated to him for the vision he had for Middle River and the Greenleigh at Crossroads,” Bevins said on social media.

Essex Day Returns Saturday


The main street of Essex will be closed on Saturday for the start of Essex Day. This is the 44th year of the event that takes place in the 400 & 500 block of Eastern Boulevard. Essex Day kicks off on Sept. 21 at 10 a.m. and vendors will be on the street until 6 p.m.

Entertainment
Starleigh Entertainment will present the music at Essex Day which will be on the main stage starting at noon
Red Dirt Revolution, from noon to 1 p.m.
Square-1, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Kanye Twitty, from 3 to 4 p.m.
Damn Connellys, from 4:30 to 5 p.m.

Food Vendors
Some of the food vendors at Essex Day include: Bartynski Sausage, Chick-fil-A Martin Plaza, Kim’s Dessert Island, Kona Ice of Bel Air/Perry Hall, Marco’s Pizza, Miss Twist Ice Cream, Otterbein’s Cookies, Sherri’s Crab Cakes, Sugar Daddy Funnel Cake, TastyMaryland and Two Guys Grill.

Sponsors
The sponsors of Essex Day include: MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, Starleigh Entertainment, Connelly Funeral Home of Essex, Hodges Window and Glass, Eastern Regional LIONS CLUB, The Avenue News, One Rock Studio, Church of the Harbor, CLIFF’S HI-TECH AUTO BODY SHOP INC., ClimbZone White Marsh, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Tradepoint Atlantic, Woody’s Pub Grub, BayVanguard Bank, Huff Insurance, First National Bank, Dangerously Delicious Pies, Canton Baltimore, Maryland, Norris Ford, and Power Factor.

Career Fair to Be Held at Eastpoint Mall Next Week


Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development (DEWD) will hold their Fifth Annual Fall Career Fair on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Eastpoint Mall. The event is a partnership between DEWD, the Maryland Department of Labor and Eastpoint Mall.

With over 35 employers with open positions to fill, the event is an opportunity for residents to find or start their next career. The event will take place in the lower level concourse of Eastpoint Mall, located at 7839 Eastpoint Mall, Baltimore, Maryland 21224.
The event is free but anyone interested is asked to register

“This is our fifth year organizing this career fair for Baltimore County and surrounding County/City residents,” said Will Anderson, Director of DEWD. “We are grateful that there are so many employers who are willing and ready to hire the local talent that is available here and we are looking forward to a great turnout. This is a perfect example of County Executive Olszewski’s reboot of economic development and job opportunity expansion.”

“It takes a comprehensive, forward looking strategy to improve employment opportunities for Baltimore County residents,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “I applaud our Workforce Development team and the employers who are working to make this career fair a success for our residents.”

Employers Scheduled to Attend the Career Fair
Employers scheduled to attend the Career Fair include: Aerotek, Amazon, AT&T Portables, Baltimore County Government, Baltimore County Police Department, Baltimore County Public Schools, Burlington, CCBC Job Network, Checkers, Community College of Baltimore County, Flashpoint Personnel, Floor and Decor, GBMC HealthCare, Hendersen-Webb Inc., Humanim, JCPenney, Johns Hopkins University, LIDS, Maryland Public Television, the Maryland School for the Blind, Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Mercy Medical Center, Metro Staffing LLC, Middle River Aerostructure Systems, NPower, Oasis Health Ventures LLC, Primerica, Sherwin-Williams, Southwest Airlines, the State Of Maryland, Tailored Staffing, The Andersons, TMD Staffing and Xpress Exterior Design.

To register for the Career Fair or find out more information, visit www.BaltimoreCountyJobFair.com.

Driver of Suspicious Vehicle Arrested is Identified


The man arrested during an investigation into a van filled with diesel fuel at Royal Farms on Pulaski Highway is identified as Tyrone Gerard Uyaha Strickland (30) of the 400 block of Patuxent Court in La Plata, MD 20646.

Strickland was arrested after the officer stopped the van as it attempted to leave the Royal Farms store and the driver was not able to produce a driver’s license or registration card for the vehicle. A check through the Maryland Vehicle Administration revealed his license was revoked in 2016.

Strickland was arrested and charged with driving on a revoked license and issued other relevant traffic citations. He was also charged with five felony charges involving the misuse of the Royal Farms gift cards. He is held at the Baltimore County Detention Center on $5000 bond pending a bail review hearing. Criminal charges for the incident are pending further investigation.

Driver of Suspicious Vehicle Arrested in White Marsh


Baltimore County Police arrested a man following a suspicious vehicle call at a Royal Farms store after he was seen filling tanks inside a van with fuel.

Police were dispatched to the Royal Farms at 10740 Pulaski Highway in White Marsh near Ebenezer Road for a call of a suspicious vehicle at 3:34 p.m. The call indicated that a white van was filling two large tanks inside the cargo area with diesel fuel. When the officer arrived on the scene he observed the van, bearing a Virginia registration plate, stopped at the diesel fuel pump. As the officer approached the van it pulled away and left the parking lot. The officer conducted an investigative traffic stop on the van and determined that the driver had committed an arrestable traffic violation and was taken into custody.

The investigation determined that the suspect, a 30-year-old man, paid for the gas using Royal Farms gift cards, but where and how he obtained those cards remains under investigation. The suspect indicated he was given the cards by the owner of the van, a Virginia man, who asked him to fill the fuel tanks using the gift cards. The owner of the van indicated he rented the van to the suspect with no fuel tanks inside, and denied any knowledge of the gift cards.

The Maryland Department of the Environment responded to collect the fuel, while the van was seized by Baltimore County Police. A search warrant yielded the discovery of a total of 68 Royal Farms gift cards and a credit card inside the van, the validity of which remain under investigation.

The identity of the suspect and charges will be released following formal charging. The incident remains under investigation by officers from the Essex Precinct and detectives from the Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit.

Council Removes Loophole in Open Space Law


The Baltimore County Council unanimously passed Bill 37-19 on Tuesday, which removes loopholes in Baltimore County’s open space law that have substantially reduced the amount of public open space that development projects Council Chair Tom Quirk and Councilman David Marks were co-sponsors of the bill.

“Proud to have cosponsored this bipartisan bill with Councilman Tom Quirk that eliminates loopholes and should lead to more open space,” Marks said in a social media post.

“The single amendment makes the bill prospective – but only for a small number of projects where a plan is under review. Some builders wanted it to go into effect as late as 2020.”

Barbara L. Hopkins, Executive Director of the non-profit group Neighborhood Open, was happy that the bill passed unanimously through the council.

“None of this was easy for anyone and I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to those who testified, submitted written testimony, emailed, called, donated, and offered advice, especially as summer vacations and the start of the school year demanded your attention. [H]istory dealt our County an open space hand that years ago created a huge open space deficit. That deficit has had an increasingly negative effect on the livability of our communities over time when it comes to things like places for kids to safely play, storm water management, and home values,” Hopkins said in a statement.

“These facts demand less confrontation and more collaboration among government, nonprofits, County residents, and members of the development community if we are serious about addressing the livability challenges that exist today in communities inside the URDL. I am hopeful that, tonight, we took a big step in that direction and, on behalf of our board of directors, thank you for your efforts on behalf of the bill and your continued support.”

Olszewski Announces Baltimore County Overdose Awareness Signs


Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced the placement of overdose awareness signs around the County in an effort to shine light on the opioid epidemic and reduce the stigma often associated with addiction. Strategically placed in five, high-visibility locations around the County, the signs will display the total number of overdoses and fatal overdoses in the County so far this year.

“There’s not a community in our County that hasn’t been touched by the disease of opioid addiction and we have to do everything within our power to raise awareness, increase access to services and save lives. These signs will be a stark reminder that this crisis persists and that we have a responsibility to help our sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, neighbors and friends who are struggling,” Olszewski said.

The signs were created with support from the Daniel Carl Torsch Foundation and sponsors identified by foundation Executive Director Toni Torsch. Torsch created the foundation following the death of her son, Daniel, from a heroin overdose. The foundation works to raise awareness of opioid addiction and overdose, helps individuals find treatment resources and provides training for individuals to use the overdose-reversal drug naloxone.

“I applaud the Torsch Foundation for partnering with the County to provide awareness and education of overdose death statistics,” said Dr. Gregory Wm. Branch, Director of the Baltimore County Department of Health and Human Services. “Anyone who is facing an opioid addiction or knows someone who is, should reach out and prevent another untimely death by calling our REACH Helpline, 410-88-REACH (410-887-3224).”

Each month, the Baltimore County Police Department will update the numbers displayed on the signs, which will be located at the Public Safety Building in Towson, as well as the Dundalk, Pikesville, White Marsh and Woodlawn precinct buildings.

“In my very first meeting with newly-elected County Executive Olszewski, I asked for help breaking a bureaucratic logjam that prevented these signs from going up. He delivered. This is one part of a more robust strategy toward reducing and eliminating opioid abuse,” said 5th District Councilman David Marks.

Olszewski has taken a number of critical steps in the effort to combat the opioid epidemic. As recommended by his transition team, he included funds in his first budget to create an Opioid Strategy Coordinator position to guide strategy across agencies and ensure a cohesive, comprehensive response.

In addition, he named an Opioid Response Working Group to engage County residents and stakeholders, examine data, assess the County’s current efforts and make recommendations for how the County can continue to ramp up its efforts to address addiction and overdose. The working group will release its draft report for public comment in the coming weeks.