Now that elections are over in Baltimore, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is the clear winner of the mayoral race since there would be no republican challenger suited to defeat any democrat in Baltimore. Therefore, you must ask what is next for the troubled Baltimore City. Recent events suggest that Baltimore will continue to be an attraction for special events like the Indy Car Race, Comic-on, and other events that brings in millions of dollars to the Baltimore economy. There is much to be completed as many of the dollars aren’t put to use to encourage development in other parts of Baltimore.
Grant it, Many Baltimoreans have little interest in travelling outside of the Hamden, Fells Point, Federal Hill, and Canton areas, which are the attractions of Baltimore. Without these areas, I believe, Baltimore would fall by the waist side. What should be a priority is to continue to attract these special events to the city but create other venues in Baltimore that are surrounded by blight. This would encourage investment dollars in these areas to create businesses, residences and lodging for visitors that may come. In the case of the Indy car race instead of holding it in the same track, officials should push the race a little further north to develop land, roads, and property for different legs of the race. This would take it out of the main Pratt Street drag and move it elsewhere that requires development.
I encourage Baltimore officials to look at ways to assist in the blighted areas of Baltimore. Just creating a tax to serve on landlords with abandoned homes is not good enough. A lower tax burden coupled with incentives for public and private employees of Baltimore businesses to purchase and live in Baltimore will encourage development and possibly transform blighted areas of the city.