Another Evening at the Nicholas Cage

Last evening was my third venture to the Nicholas Cage in the Annex on Oliver Street. It was a continuing conversation on the development of the 1500 block of Greenmount West. We were again joined by Charlie Duff as well as Doreen Bolger, the director of the Baltimore Museum of Art.

My plan for the night was to do some audio and video interviews before and after the dinner to get opinions on the development plans. That of course, was not the case. When I arrived, I began helping with the dinner preparations. Around 7:30, Charlie and Doreen arrived. I immediately began talking to the two about my research, and they were very interested in what I had to say.

Charlie and I took a walk around the apartment to discuss our feelings on development. He is a very well-known man in the real-estate market in Baltimore, so I in no way wanted to trump any of his knowledge. I told him about my positive growth theory, and how he was contributing to it, and I think it boosted his pride just a tad. He told me how he felt Baltimore was in need of gentrification, and he knows that there will be a select number of people displaced, but it was more concentrated on those who rent versus those who own their homes. While I agree, I explained how I felt there weren't enough well paying jobs in Baltimore based off of our awful education system to support home ownership. However, what Charlie was doing with this community was remarkable, which will be noted later...

We walked to our seats at the dinner table. I had never had Indian food before, for fear of how my stomach would react, but it was a pleasant surprise. Roasted garlic soup with a hint of curry, two types of naan, samosas, grape leaves, and a dessert of fig and date ice cream, complemented by my own dessert pizza and wine. I think people liked my dessert, or they were just being polite. During the meal, I sat next to Doreen and discussed many matters with her. She knew of my Uncle Paul, who had been working in the BMA giftshop for years. She loved the idea of a documentary about Station North and believed many people would be interested in seeing it. We also talked about FreeFall, art advocacy, Art on Purpose, and Baltimore's need for a highly developed art scene. The art scene would be something for actual Baltimoreans to be engaged in their city, versus the downtown area which is completely geared for tourists.

After dinner, we took a walk around the apartment again. Charlie began discussing more about the plans for the site and why he felt it was important the existing community play a major part in the development across the street. Though as he put it several times, this is not The Wizard of Oz. There is no man behind the curtain pulling strings. He was handing them the opportunity to organize and stand up for themselves. He suggested creating the Greenmount West Artists Association, where they could protest for rezoning to ensure that their way of life can be preserved. As of now, they are functioning illegally within the stipulations of the planned-unit developments. There are not supposed to be more than 4 people do a floor. As of now, it's between 8 and 9. When the building manager came by the day before, they had to stack mattresses to make it look as though there were only 4 people living in the space. The way Charlie saw it, he felt that this communal space was integral to their way of life, and if they wanted it, they had to fight for it. He wasn't going to do it for them.

Emma Alves, who I believe is the centerwoman of his group, expressed her feelings on gentrification very delicately. She was aware that they were apart of this process where they could take advantage of cheap rent for their artistic purposes, and once the popularity of that grows, the more people want to move to that area, leading to further development. However, she wants that process to change. She wants their lifestyle to continue the way it is, and for further developments to adapt to what they have created.

I then interviewed Doreen for audio purposes. She basically reiterated much of the conversation we had before. I then interviewed Emma and Alex Fox, who have been the two residents most interested in this project. Though under the influence of a bit of wine, they expelled their feelings on everything regarding the Station North development. They don't believe half of the designs and plans will actually go forth, and that most of the ideas they have for the city are stupid because they are not organic. What has been occurring in this neighborhood is organic, and the rest of the development in this area should follow. Alex also proposed the artist organization to be the Station North Artists association, because he felt if it was labeled Greenmount West, no one would pay them any mind. Because the name would have the same as the designated space, it would garner more legitimacy.

I've deduced that the video portion of this story is not appropriate at this time. I don't feel a comfort or trust level with these people yet. While they are becoming more aware of the situation surrounding their living space, I don't think we've developed enough of a bond to bring a camera around and expect them to behave normally. However, it's truly fascinating to see this process blossom in front of me. These artists are not interested in being thrusted into the public eye. As one resident put it, he wouldn't want a website for this group because he doesn't want to publicize himself.

I believe the determination and time to spend on this group development is going to be a challenge. Perhaps they need to start taking this more seriously, or else their way of life is going to disappear beneath them. It's a lot to take in on their part, but I hope to see something come out of this so that another existing Baltimore neighborhood can continue to prosper in their own way.