Mayor Rawlings-Blake Participates in Westside Demolition Project that Makes Way for Transportation Improvements to MLK, Jr. Boulevard

Baltimore, MD (July 26, 2011) – Continuing the City’s progress in creating a vibrant neighborhood on  the Westside of downtown, today Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake joined by Councilman William H. Cole, IV, Maryland General Hospital CEO Sylvia Smith Johnson, Maryland Department of Transportation State Center Project Director Chris Patusky and Baltimore Development Corporation President M.J. “Jay” Brodie participated in a demolition project at 890 Linden Avenue that makes way for transportation improvements at the intersection of Martin Luther King (MLK), Jr. Boulevard and Howard Street.

This project supports the widening of MLK, Jr. Boulevard, creating an additional lane of traffic from Madison Street to Linden Avenue, for improved commuter access to points north, clearing some of the rush-hour backups. Intersection improvements at Linden Avenue and MLK, Jr. Boulevard will provide better pedestrian access between the new State Center transit-oriented development and employers/businesses in the area.

Today’s event is not about bricks and mortar—it is about our commitment to the people who live and work here,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.  “It is about building on our progress, and preparing this community for further growth.”

890 Linden Avenue is a small parcel completely occupied by a vacant, four-story brick building that was formerly operated as the Linden Deli by a brother and sister and their respective spouses.  Yong C. Kim and Yong P. Kim purchased the property in 1993.  The City acquired the building in 2010 for highway widening and intersection improvements at a cost of $495,000.  The Kims purchased 897-899 North Howard Street and the City assisted the business owners in relocating the Linden Deli to that site, opening in May 2011.

P&J Contracting, general contactor for the project, assisted Mayor Rawlings-Blake in hitting the 890 Linden Avenue structure several times with a bulldozer symbolizing the start of the demolition project.

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