Q: The city is looking for new uses for Fells Point's landmark Recreation Pier building. What would you like to see added to the pier? And how should the city handle related issues such as congestion and parking problems in that area?

The redevelopment of the Recreation Pier gives residents of Baltimore a unique opportunity to reflect their beliefs by creating a place of pride and identity for the community.

Developers must preserve the original architectural and civic intent of the building by restoring its role as a municipal center.

The grand ballroom, which was once used for community gatherings and even classes for immigrants, should be restored to allow for cultural events, education programs and political debates.

One-story shops and restaurants clad in brick, surrounded by a lovely walking promenade, could be developed on top of the existing pier. These businesses would provide financial returns to the city through tax revenue, jobs for local residents and opportunities for minority and women's business enterprises.

To alleviate parking problems, the new owner could operate the ground floor garage. The west side of the pier should continue to be used as a dock for tugboats, keeping the working-port quality that gives Fells Point its charm.

In this way the pier's redevelopment can please the heart, soul and mind of the community, while also creating a financially viable project.

Toby Bozzuto

Chris Murn

Baltimore

The Recreation Pier building in Fells Point could be used as an upscale billiards, restaurant and entertainment center, with something for everyone.

It might have a rooftop restaurant and bar with dancing and bands on the weekends. The lower level could contain gift shops and eateries and maybe a game room with shows for children. It should sell toys and souvenirs with Baltimore and Chesapeake Bay maritime themes.

All major downtown Baltimore sections should be connected to the facility, and a downtown transportation day-pass could connect water taxis, buses and maybe trolleys or vans to nearby parking areas.

Kristen Bernard

Columbia

I am a 60-year-old retiree who was born in Little Italy and spent most of my teen-age years in the Fells Point area. In the mid- to late-1950s, I would walk to the Fells Point Recreation Pier to play baseball on the top and participate in other youth activities on the lower level.

While times are obviously much different today, the concept of providing a forum for recreation for Baltimore's youths is still valid.

I would suggest rebuilding a multipurpose recreation center on the pier and surrounding area -- an environment where schoolchildren could participate in positive activities, develop a sense of community and learn teamwork, dedication and leadership.

And exposing inner-city youths to opportunities not typically associated with urban living -- such as golf, archery, fishing and other outdoor sports -- could prove extremely rewarding to many youths who lack recreation activities.

We should not deny our children such recreation activities.

John Saraceno Sr.

Baltimore

The only way to ensure children have a safe place to be is to give them one.

Now citizens of Baltimore are debating the fate of the Recreation Pier in Fells Point.

Some believe it should be converted into a recreational center for local youths. Others would rather turn this area into a parking lot.

It is true, of course, that the parking problem in Fells Point is horrendous. But a recreation center would help convey the necessary message to teen-agers and pre-teens that they need to achieve and to steer clear of illegal activities that could ruin their lives.

And providing a place for troubled teen-agers to congregate and be mentored (or monitored) could lower the crime rate.

At a recreation center, children would be supervised, but would still be given an opportunity to interact in a positive environment. Teen-agers would be provided with a way to curb idleness, and this, in turn, would curb crime.

At-risk children must be given a safe place to exist and be themselves in order to grow as people.

Allison Horsey

Baltimore

The writer is a sophomore at Overlea High School.

Let's turn the Recreation Pier back into what it was -- a place for children to go have a great time.

When I was growing up in Fells Point, my siblings and I spent many a happy day there. We swung on swings, rocked happily on what we called the "rocky boat," played ball and games, and even learned to dance in the ballroom.

Just think how children visiting Baltimore with their parents would enjoy a fun break from just sightseeing.

Mary Anne Collins

Perry Hall

I suggest that most of the street level of the building be dedicated to parking with the exception of the end of the pier farthest from Fells Point.

At that end, we could stack a Chart House-style restaurant on both levels or reserve the end of the pier at the lower level for tourists to catch rides on tour boats larger than the water taxis. If the state allows gambling, we could bring casino boats to the end of the pier.

The open area on the building's upper level could remain open for use as a beer garden or other public uses such as kiosks for vendors or benches for watching fireworks above the Inner Harbor.

The cobblestone Thames Street has old trolley tracks. Why not resurrect some old trolleys and run them from Fells Point and Canton along the waterfront and into the Inner Harbor area?

There is a large open-air parking area between Fells Point and the Inner Harbor and also a multilevel city parking garage at the entrance to Little Italy. We could place a trolley stop at the garage and run trolleys through Little Italy, Canton, Fells Point and the Inner Harbor.

This would cut down on cars on Thames Street. And in fact we could close Thames Street to cars and open it for pedestrian and trolley use only, with the exception of people with resident parking permits and the delivery trucks needed to stock the restaurants.

Mike Breen

Laurel

What to do with the Fells Point Recreation Pier?

It's a short pier. Let's get the mayor and City Council to take a long walk on it.

Now that's recreation.

A. Robert Kaufman

Baltimore

I think the Recreation Pier building should be knocked down and the area used for parking.

I love the downtown area, but I rarely go to the Inner Harbor because of the shortage of parking. I usually just stick around Fells Point because that area has more parking. But on the weekends there are never enough places to park.

I hear all the time that I should take public transportation downtown. Why? I've got my own car. I have the luxury of not having to stand at a bus stop or train station just to go somewhere.

But something needs to be done about the parking because my friends and I agree it's just not fun to go downtown anymore.

What we need is a free area for customers to park and enjoy the time out shopping or eating without worrying about popping another quarter in the slot when the time on the meter runs out or having their cars ticketed or towed.

Victoria Cooper

Baltimore

Fells Point's landmark Recreation Pier building is a gem waiting to be mined. All the ballroom needs is a spit-and-polish renovation to be ready for dancing to musical bands of all types.

Certainly some big-band music mixed with music enjoyed by our younger generation would generate an active and respectable environment for young people.

When the bands are not featured, the ballroom would be an ideal location for after-school recreation featuring music, snacks and soft drinks.

This is the type of environment teen-agers need to get together and meet friends. Let's get some Harborplace entrepreneurs working on this concept and bring Fells Point to life for teen-agers.

As for the congestion and parking problem, Fells Point has a strong need for a more suitably located garage and convenient bus routes -- regardless of whether the Recreation Pier is put to good use.

Walter Boyd

Lutherville

As I've walked by the Recreation Pier building, I have envisioned an art center much like the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, Va.

The Torpedo Factory is a joint venture the city of Alexandria and local artists created in 1974. It consists of working studios and galleries.

Special events are held in areas rented out for an evening. And through the years many shops and restaurants have grown up around the Torpedo Factory, so people now come from all over to spend the day -- and lots of dollars.

I can envision all of this for the Recreation Pier building, with parking conveniently located on the bottom level or added on. I can see restaurants on the top floor with terrific views of the water.

What a place to watch the holiday parade of boats.

If possible, I'd like to see the promenade, which will eventually extend from the Inner Harbor to Canton, go around the pier building so passers-by could see artists at work or get a preview of the beautiful art they will find inside. I can also see the building having classrooms and teaching studios.

And I sincerely hope that however the Recreation Pier building is used, the plan includes public space for Fells Point residents and the many tourists who come to enjoy the area's charms and history.

Linda S. Gross

Baltimore