We are writing in response to the recent commentary about the State Center redevelopment project ("State Center redevelopment is long overdue in Baltimore," July 29).
We take particular issue with the statement that, "The surrounding communities support" the project. When this issue came to the surface in 2007-2008, pro-development persons had already been placed in key positions on the board of Bolton Hill's community association. Other than convincing their own fellow board members to pass a resolution in favor of the project, their many efforts to promote the project met with limited support. Meanwhile, a petition objecting to the effects of the project, including increased traffic and general congestion, was signed by more than 100 Bolton Hill residents. We are concerned that the so-called "support" from the other surrounding neighborhoods may be similarly contrived.
Just as importantly, the troubling financial structure of this development has never been addressed. It is not appropriate that the state will be making a long term commitment to pay above market rental rates for land and office space that it already owns. The state would need to issue bonds to finance the project to such an extent that its AAA bond rating and self-imposed debt ceiling would be jeopardized. It is clear that the interests of Maryland taxpayers statewide would be best served by reducing the scope of the State Center redevelopment so that it does not damage the state's financial status while also overwhelming its neighbors.
We were disappointed last year when Gov. Larry Hogan killed Baltimore's Red Line commuter rail project and especially when he described this project as a "boondoggle." The Red Line would have been a valuable resource for the citizens and commuters of Baltimore and Baltimore County. The real boondoggle is the State Center redevelopment project.
Scott Klarner, Naomi Klarner, Lynne Menefee and Miles Davis, Baltimore