Up to 40 commercial buildings in five sections of Baltimore will receive facade improvements under an $800,000 revitalization program funded as part of the federal government's stimulus efforts and administered by the Baltimore Development Corp. The development agency announced this week that it is seeking proposals from architects to oversee facade renovations of privately owned buildings in Belair-Edison, Oldtown, Pigtown, West Baltimore Street and the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor. The money was awarded to Baltimore as part of the federal government's efforts to create jobs to help stimulate the economy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Feb. 1 is the deadline for architects' proposals to BDC. Donna Langley, director of the Baltimore Main Streets Program, said she expects the facade improvement work to begin by spring. The maximum amount available for improving any one facade is $20,000, she said.

- Edward Gunts