Conforming to the highest standards of planning for a truly remarkable and nationally recognized historic landmark, the “Master Plan for the Renovation and Revitalization of Mount Vernon Place” culminates 10 years of a community-driven effort. The draft plan, designed by Olin Partnership, a leading U.S. urban landscape design and preservation firm, offers a vision for Mount Vernon Place to realize its full potential as a world-class urban public space.

Located in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, a National Historic Landmark District, Mount Vernon Place is the cultural heart of Baltimore. The Peabody Conservatory, the Walters Art Museum and the Engineers Club and Mount Vernon Club frame the four squares; the soaring Washington Monument is at the center. Regrettably, these prominent and underutilized public squares suffer from years of substandard landscaping and deferred maintenance, evidenced by the significant deterioration of the marble balustrades, fountain basins, retaining walls, sidewalks and other architectural elements.

In partnership with Baltimore City, the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy, founded by engaged citizens from the Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association and Friends of Mount Vernon Place, seeks to change this by improving landscaping and maintenance in the short term and securing funds in the longer term for the park’s phased restoration. Although a conservancy is new to Baltimore, the concept of nongovernmental organizations taking on the role of improving the experience of prominent public spaces is not. The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore has drastically improved the Inner Harbor’s public spaces, as has the Downtown Partnership, which led the restoration of Center Plaza.

Today, the city’s Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) will take up the Mount Vernon Place master plan. With CHAP approval, the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy can begin raising funds to launch a phased restoration of the park, including the repair and reopening of the Washington Monument to the public. We are pleased that the master plan has broad support; yet, as with many plans that involve change, there is often disagreement. In this case, there is objection to Olin Partnership’s recommendation to remove and replant approximately 100 trees.

We acknowledge and respect the views of those who prefer an alternative to tree replacement and welcome their interest in Mount Vernon Place; however, we must agree to disagree with their point of view. On balance, the tree replacement plan would produce important functional, aesthetic and historic benefits. We note that transformative projects in major public spaces in Baltimore — such as War Memorial Plaza, Center Plaza, the Pratt Street berms, and the Charles Street streetscaping — removed and replaced every tree, producing attractive, safe and active public spaces. In Mount Vernon Place, some trees are dead or dying, others were recently planted and can be relocated, and several obstruct historic views. The interior trees need to be replaced in order to install perimeter sidewalks and to install underground utilities, irrigation, electrical conduit and healthy soils. These critical improvements will make the park accessible to a wider community, ensure the long-term health and vitality of the revitalized landscape and respect the historic integrity and vision of the square’s designers.

The conservancy has proposed a series of measures in response to the concern about replacing trees. First, the number of replacement trees will match or exceed the number of trees removed. Second, replacement trees will be 25-30 feet high, and with 8-inch trunks, providing an immediate shade canopy. Third, planting will occur in a state-of-the-art process, for example, removing and replacing contaminated soil to ensure longevity. Fourth, no tree removal will occur until funding is in place to restore a complete square. Fifth, the conservancy will phase in restoration to allow the city and public to judge the benefits for themselves. Finally, we would like to formalize a standing committee with representatives of groups opposed to tree replacement. We believe that the only way to find compromise is to keep talking.

The restoration of Mount Vernon Place is not inevitable. Absent a group like the conservancy to remain vigilant and advocate for its interest over the long term, the benign neglect will continue unabated. With limited resources, Baltimore City has done what it can to maintain the park, but our partnership can achieve a higher level of care. The conservancy is ready to move forward. We look forward to expanding our partnership to create a great urban space worthy of the neighborhood, institutions and city in which this national treasure is so prominently located.

Henry H. Hopkins, president of the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy, is retired chief legal counsel for T. Rowe Price Associates. His e-mail is henry.hopkins03@gmail.com.

Full article with comments can be found on Baltimoresun.com.

After six months of deliberation, Baltimore’s preservation commission gave conceptual approval Tuesday to an $18.5 million plan by the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy to replace trees and make other improvements to the city-owned parkland at the base of the Washington Monument, with the understanding that the group still must obtain final approval of its plan and provide proof of funding before any work can begin.

In granting conceptual approval for the parkland, which is in a historic district, the commissioners voted to approve the group’s plans to remove most of the trees on the public squares north and south of the Washington Monument. However, they withheld approval of plans to replace most of the trees on the squares east and west of the monument.

The action by Baltimore’s Commission on Historical and Architectural Preservation gives the nonprofit conservancy the authorization it needed to begin raising money for the project, which it hopes to complete by 2015. In December, the commission gave the conservancy approval to repair the monument — which has been closed to the public since last spring — and other “hardscape” elements of Mount Vernon Place but not the landscaping.

The conservancy and its landscape architect presented a plan last year that called for 117 of the 118 trees in and around the four squares to be replaced with new trees in a slightly different configuration. The plan drew criticism from area residents and others opposed to cutting down mature trees in the heart of the city, and the commission postponed its vote.

At the start of Tuesday’s meeting, conservancy representatives said they had modified their proposal to preserve certain trees, but still wanted to take down 114. The conservancy representatives promised to plant at least as many trees as are removed and to replace them with new trees at least 25 to 30 feet high.

During Tuesday’s hearing, the conservancy’s revised plan drew comments from more than a dozen speakers, who said they still questioned why so many trees were targeted for removal.

Commissioner James Cusask said he thought it might be considered “goofy” for the panel to support plans for only two of the four squares. But other commissioners said they believed it was important to approve the plan in concept because they wanted to show they support the conservancy’s effort to complete park improvements.

“To do nothing would be the greatest travesty of all,” commissioner Tom Liebel said, adding that the park is “in dire need of repair.”

Henry Hopkins, chairman of the conservancy, said he was pleased with the panel’s conceptual approval of its plan. “This allows us to move ahead,” he said. “Once people see the north and south parks, I think everyone will be very happy.”

Hugh Ronalds, a member of the Save the Trees Alliance, said he was glad the plan would get more review. “I think we slowed them down,” he said. “We’ve saved the trees for now.”

ed.gunts@baltsun.com

Full article with comments can be found on Baltimoresun.com.

Your pick for the symbol of Baltimore

Photograph of the Washington Monument by Baltimore Sun photographer Gene Sweeney Jr.

The ayes have it: Your pick for the symbol of Baltimore is a landmark with a name that makes most Americans think of an entirely different city.

The Washington Monument, built between 1815 and 1829 in the city’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, actually predates the better-known obelisk constructed in George Washington’s honor in the city that bears his name. Baltimore’s arguably cooler Washington Monument was the most popular choice in the (far from official) Wonk poll, with 21 percent of votes cast.

Second: The star-shaped Fort McHenry, of national anthem fame, with 17 percent of the vote.

The Bromo Seltzer Tower came in third, with 13 percent, followed by the Natty Boh brewery building, at 11 percent.

The various choices — there were more, including Camden Yards (10 percent) and the National Aquarium (9 percent) — were all suggested by readers.

One that wasn’t on the poll but proved a strong write-in candidate was the Domino Sugar sign, which got 10 votes — about 4 percent. (To put that into perspective: the Battle Monument, which is actually on Baltimore’s flag, got 2 percent of the vote.)

Several readers wrote in the rowhouse, which is certainly vintage Bawlmer. “Especially one that is covered in formstone,” wrote Pete from Highlandtown.

And one person (or perhaps not a person?) wrote in the Male/Female sculpture, that much-maligned bit of public art at Penn Station.

A separate poll asked you what you thought of the metal sculpture proposed for the redevelopment of Westport in Baltimore, the news item that originally started this discussion about symbols. Thirty-one percent dislike the sculpture, 30 percent can take it or leave it, 22 percent hate it, 13 percent like it and the rest — about 3 percent — love it.

That’s a thumbs down from just over half and a thumbs up from 16 percent, with the rest saying “meh.”

Thanks for playing, folks. That was fun. Care to start a debate about the symbol of Maryland?

Full article with comments can be found on the Baltimoresun.com website.

The Mount Vernon Place Conservancy

Invites you to learn more about the Conservancy and its Restoration Master Plan

When: Sunday, December 12, 2010 at 1:00 pm

Where: The Belvedere, Charles and Chase Street, Map it!

Representatives from the Mount Vernon – Belvedere Association
and The Friends of Mount Vernon Place will be on hand to explain
why they support the Conservancy’s efforts

Please join us!

Dear MVBA Members,

There has been some controversy recently about the restoration plan proposed by the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy for the Mount Vernon Place Parks after years of deferred maintenance and failed piecemeal plans. Cracked marble and sidewalks, leaning balustrades, unsustainable landscaping, limited access for those with disabilities, power wires haphazardly strung through the trees for every event, and structural problems with the Washington Monument are just a few of the issues that must be addressed in the restoration of Mount Vernon Place, which we believe has the potential to be an A+ world-class public space, but which currently falls far short of its potential.

Most concerns center around the uniform replacement of the trees that we all enjoy, some of which are healthy, while others are in very poor condition, or have limited life spans. The loss of even one healthy tree is cause for consideration, but as was the case with Charles Street streetscaping, we believe this plan is properly justified.

The Conservancy is conducting a brieifing on the entire restoration plan on Sunday, December 12, 2011 at 1 p.m. at the Belvedere, 1 East Chase Street. We hope each of our members will take the time to look at the plan in detail and carefully consider the wider opportunity at hand with the Conservancy’s entire plan to raise millions of dollars to restore and maintain this national treasure which we are fortunate to have as the centerpiece of our neighborhood.

The comprehensive plan, which was initially called for by CHAP (the city’s preservation department) and is now under their consideration, was presented in full to our Architectural Review Committee and to our general membership on several occasions. After these complete briefings, and much opportunity for questions and discussion, our Architectural review Committee voted overwhelmingly to support the plan in its entirety.

If you were not able to attend the public sessions on the plan, prepared by the Olin Partnership, considered the country’s leading urban landscape architects, and you cannot attend the additional brieifing being held on December 12, we ask that you go to www.mvba.org/mvpc to learn about the entire plan, and also why the plan calls for tree replacement. It is clear the the tree plan was not made hastily by the planners or their certified arborist.

Concerns expressed about the replacement of trees in the park are understood by everyone. But this opposition threatens to put the entire plan in jeopardy.

The Conservancy Board has very generously signed on to spend the next five to ten years volunteering their time and expertise to raising the reported $18 million needed to fully restore and revitale Mount Vernon Place. It took years of work by both the MVBA and Friends of Mount Vernon Place to get this organization established and operational. Please consider whether anyone opposing the tree replacement has the ability to raise $18 million and the commitment to complete a complex, multi-year restoration project. Don’t stand in opposition until you consider who will pick up the pieces if the plan fails. Please think about this carefully, as it may be many decades more before such an opportunity comes our way again.

The MVBA continues to supports the Conservancy and their comprehensive plan for the parks. The Conservancy and the plan will stop the deterioration of the parks and bring them back to vibrancy. Being focused only on tree replacement could mean the loss of the Conservancy, and continued deterioration of Mount Vernon Place from neglect, overuse, and lack of resources to save it.

The Conservancy and its architects will manage the project with sensitivity and care. They will have the ongoing involvement of the community, particularly the MVBA. We all care deeply about the parks, and the best way forward to saving them and restoring them is through the Mount Vernon Place Conservancy and the comprehensive plan they have presented.

Sincerely,

Jason Curitis
President

A proposed 236-foot-tall illuminated metal sculpture by Tennessee artist John Henry, has created an open conversation about what symbol of architecture or art symbolizes the Baltimore region. The Baltimore Sun is conducting a poll to see which landmark is the most iconic of Baltimore and wants your vote. Visit the Sun’s website here to vote for the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon as Baltimore’s Symbol.

On the current list of symbols  to vote for are the following;

• Boy on a Turtle fountain
• The Shot Tower
• Penn Station
• Natty Boh brewery building
• The Battle Monument
• Bank of America building
• Washington Monument
• Fort McHenry
• Bromo Seltzer Tower
• National Aquarium
• Patterson Park pagoda
• Camden Yards

To be announced…