Saturday, February 9, 2013

Compliance with the NCV PUD - since when????

We received from a neighbor an advice they received from JHU which is copied in its entirety hereunder for your consideration.

We have two questions here:

1.  How can JHU make sure that the new project will be in compliance with the "NCVPUD" (North Charles Village Planned Unit Development), incorrectly described as the "Charles Village PUD" by the author of this announcement when they can't and will not support the NCVPUD compliance now by agreeing to a "Code of Ethics"?  The PUD's are a means of getting the neighborhood closely connected to this new development to agree based on promises to the community that are never followed after the new development takes place. They are unenforceable and no one will comply to what was agreed upon.

2.  The Homewood Community Partnership Initiative is simply another name for a JHU project that gives them the appearance of being community driven, but is totally controlled by the university in this instance. So what benefit is there in stating anything with respect to the Homewood Community Partnership Initiative.  It is saying to the community that we (JHU) want this so we are using JHU to get it.  So who benefits?  JHU And who are the potential losers?  The community.

"From: jmielke3@jhu.edu
Subject: Press Release
Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2013 15:22:20 +0000


Good Morning-

I am pleased to announce that Johns Hopkins University will issue the attached press release today that it has chosen a team headed by the Baltimore and Virginia based Armada Hoffler to develop a mixed-use retail and residential complex with parking garage on university-owned land in the 3200 block of St. Paul Street in Charles Village. 

The Armada Hoffler team was chosen by a committee of trustees and administrators from more than 27 proposals solicited by Johns Hopkins. The final terms of the transaction are subject to approval by the university's board of trustees. The Armada Hoffler team will own the improvements on land that will remain controlled by the university. The developer is responsible for overseeing design, soliciting community input, securing financing, obtaining public approvals and managing the property long term. Key principals of this team include Baltimore’s Michael Beatty of Beatty Development Group LLC and Tony Nero of Armada Hoffler.
  
Beatty was the former president of Harbor East Development Group and has extensive experience with projects in Baltimore.  Jointly with his former company, Beatty and Armada Hoffler constructed over 5.5 million square feet in Baltimore.  Beatty Development is currently working on the redevelopment of Harbor Point in Fells Point, a 2-million- square foot mixed-use project. 

Armada Hoffler's higher education resume comprises a hotel and conference center at Emory University in Atlanta, as well as all of Hampton University’s work over the past 25 years, including the university’s proton therapy institute (a cancer treatment center), the very first in the Mid-Atlantic region.   Additionally, the company has contracted with minority- and women-owned subcontractors and vendors approved by the city of Baltimore for work valued in excess of $150 million. An integral goal for each project is committing to overall quality and excellence as well as providing opportunities for local, small, minority and disadvantaged business enterprises.

Johns Hopkins University will be working with the Armada Hoffler team and area stakeholder on the public process to seek input on the design and program components, which will be complaint with the Charles Village PUD.   This winter, a public meeting will occur to introduce the development team and initiate the public process.   The project is consistent with the recommendation of the Homewood Community Partners Initiative and presents opportunities for greater planning connections to the surrounding community.  Additional details will be forthcoming.

On behalf of the development team and Johns Hopkins University, we look forward to working with you on taking the next step toward creating an exciting and distinctive destination in Charles Village.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Thank you.

Jennifer
______________________________
Jennifer J. Mielke
Director
Office of Community Affairs
Johns Hopkins University"




1 comment:

  1. Christian

    I agree with your points and I would add one more suggestion.

    I would write Jennifer and ask her what she means when she says:

    "Johns Hopkins University will be working with the Armada Hoffler team and area stakeholder on the public process to seek input on the design and program components, which will be complaint with the Charles Village PUD. "

    Does she means 'the area stakeholder" and if so who is it?

    or does she mean "the area stakeholders" and who are they?

    These people can't even get the grammar right.

    ReplyDelete