To Whom It May Concern:

Recent coverage by The Sun regarding the Mount Vernon Place restoration plans currently under review by the City of Baltimore’s Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) is overshadowing the importance of this project to our neighborhood and city.

As the recognized community organization representing the greater Mount Vernon neighborhood, the Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association (MVBA) would not presume to believe that Mount Vernon Place is merely
“our park” — it is a city-wide asset and a state and national treasure.  We do, however, have obligations to Mount Vernon Place through our Architectural Review and Property Stewardship Committees.

The status quo for Mount Vernon Place is not sustainable and provides for future generations of Baltimoreans no legacy of which we can be proud.  These squares as well as the monument itself require a significant infusion of capital to fund a much needed restoration and will need a well coordinated ongoing maintenance and management effort.  We must invest in Mount Vernon Place if it is to remain the jewel in the crown of our city.

For over a decade, members of the Mount Vernon community have advocated for the formation of a conservancy to restore and manage Mount Vernon Place.  MVBA actively promoted this need to the City of Baltimore, and we are pleased that the City embraced the idea of this new public-private partnership, the first conservancy to be created in Baltimore.

Over the past several years, we have provided information to the community regarding the formation of the Conservancy through updates at our public meetings (open to all, not just members), our newsletter (sent to members as well as placed in local establishments such as The Belvedere, larger apartment buildings, and Eddie’s of Mt. Vernon), and through our regular e-mail communications.

Recognizing the significant financial resources necessary to restore and manage Mount Vernon Place, we have encouraged the Conservancy to develop its board from not just Mount Vernon, but a broad city-wide constituency, as this breadth of leadership will be required to realize the goal of a restored and beautifully maintained Mount Vernon Place.

The Conservancy’s selection of Olin to research and develop the restoration master plan demonstrates their awareness of the uniqueness of this place, and the national attention this restoration project will attract.  MVBA continues to support the Conservancy’s efforts and thanks them for their willingness to take on this important project on behalf of our neighborhood, city, and nation.

Jason Curtis
President
Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association