March 2025 Community Meeting Recap
Note: Any changes to the minutes should be directed to secretary@upperfellspoint.org.
Hybrid Meeting
Welcome/Introductions
Guest Speakers
Representatives from Red Line, Matthew Hendrickson, Director of Planning, Drew McTygue, Chief Program Engineer, and Marco Avila, East Baltimore Ambassador, discussed the proposed Red Line project. It is to be a 14-mile high-frequency, high-capacity light rail transit line that will run through downtown and east-west between Woodlawn and Bayview. (Note: In June 2023, Gov. Moore relaunched the Red Line Project (which was canceled in 2015 by Gov. Hogan even though there had been over a decade of planning and design), and announced the selected mode of transit as light rail in 2024.) Mr. Hendrickson stated that 30% of Baltimore households do not have a vehicle which is three times higher than the national average.
Three routes are under consideration/review: 1) Surface transitway along I-70, Edmondson Ave. and Boston St. with tunnels under Cooks Lane and downtown. 2) Surface transitway along Security Blvd., Edmondson Ave., MLK Jr. Blvd., along Cooks Lane with couplets along Baltimore/Lombard Sts. and Eastern Ave./Fleet St. 3) Surface transitway along Security Blvd., Edmondson Ave., MLK Jr. Blvd., Pratt and Boston Sts. and mixed traffic along Cooks Lane.
It was stated that some streets may change to one-way. The earliest construction would begin is in 2030 with targeted completion in 2037. A sampling will take place to mitigate any environmental impacts (the MTA abides with the EPA protections). The speed of the trains will be based on the same speed as the vehicular speed of that street.
Be sure to voice your opinions on route options (to MTA) and support of public transportation and this project (to elected officials) and send comments on the project to https://redlinemaryland.com
District 13 Updates
Shea Winpigler, Dist. 13 Legislative Aide, mentioned that Councilman Glover recently got married.
For news and other updates, go to https://www.antonioglover.com/blog
311 Requests
Most of the requests were for parking complaints and water leaks.
Officer Reports
Several residents in the UFPIA met recently to discuss a possible merger with Fells Prospect. It was decided to move slowly, rather than rush into a merge. There will be a meeting on March 17th with Fells Prospect to discuss in more detail about how to work closer together.
An Election Judge is needed for our upcoming Officers Election in May. Lynnie volunteered. A vote for Election Judge will be held in April. Once the Election Judge has been selected, those interested in running for one of the Officer positions (President, Vice President, Parliamentarian, Treasurer and Secretary) should contact the Election Judge. Everyone is encouraged to consider running, even if the seat is contested (expected departures are secretary and parliamentarian and possibly treasurer).
Treasurer’s report was given.
Committee Reports
Beautification
Mallory Kuehn - beautification@upperfellspoint.org
Cleanup on March 1st went well - thanks to everyone who helped
Planning meeting on March 16th at 5pm to plan activities for the year. Meet at Mallory’s house (1931 E Pratt)
Dumpster Day/cleanup on April 5th from 9am-Noon at Gough and S Ann
Community Garden
Jan Mooney - communitygarden@upperfellspoint.org
Painted the lower east wall - thanks to everyone who helped
Will have one plot available - going through the waitlist
Sip & Plant Swap and Cycle Tour coming up on April 27th (optional cycle tour at Noon and plant swap 2-4pm)
EDUCATION
Suzanne is arranging distribution of water bottles to students at Commodore John Rodgers
Need volunteers to work on committee
FUND-RAISING
Lisa Knickmeyer - fundraising@upperfellspoint.org
Bingo was sold out and raised over $1K (proceeds to general fund)
Volunteers are needed to lead events
LADY DAY WAY
Beth Russo - ladydayway@upperfellspoint.org
No updates
LAND-USE
Mark Hoffmann - landuse@upperfellspoint.org
130 S Durham - BMZA denied a variance due to construction violations
209 and 205 S Chapel - stop work was ordered
If you see any construction without a permit, contact Mark at landuse@upperfellspoint.org
SAFETY (sub-committee)
Dan Harrison - safety@upperfellspoint.org
No updates
MEDIA
Jan Mooney - newsletter@upperfellspoint.org
Newsletter carrier needed for the 200 and 300 blocks of S Regester. Taylor volunteered.
Also thanks to Tyla for delivering to this route previously.
Traffic & Parking
Water main installation work started in the 300-400 blocks of S Wolfe and 1900-2000 blocks of Bank. In the next few weeks all streets between Gough and Eastern and between S Chester to S Wolfe also will be affected.
NEW BUSINESS
Suzanne had free wallet size Red Cards from the Immigration Legal Resource Center which outline rights and protections.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
To vote on issues at a meeting, you must have paid your current dues (based on calendar year beginning in January), attended 2 of the preceding 11 meetings, live in our boundaries and be age 18 and/or attended UFPIA sponsored events/activities per our Meeting & Voting Regulations.
