I agree Station North has a long way to go, but it's starting to become Baltimore's next hot neighborhood. There's a lot of new stuff and people moving into the area, so it might be on the way up!

Sam-I believe does not HAVE to be "a destination for most Baltimoreans". People who go to Harbor East or Power Plant are not the same people who hang at Club Charles or Metro Gallery. I guess there's some crossover but in my view they are apples and oranges. And frankly,that's OK.

Don,
True, but Fells Point, Hampden, Canton and Federal Hill are destinations for most Baltimoreans. They're safe, fairly clean, and charming. Why can't Station North have the same qualities?

Sam-As long as i'm not drinking at Club Charles next to a backward baseball cap wearing meathead, things will be fine (just kidding). I guess what i was saying is that certain types of people hang in certain areas,and that's what makes that area thrive. Art minded people i think would be most attracted to Station North.

I agree with Sam. What we REALLY need up there (where I live) is a Tequilla bar called something clever like....um....Rimmed! no wait a SPORTS bar....you know a place where all those yuppie knobs can come and hang out., called maybe Fumbles....
To quote Die Hard: "I like it that way. leave it the ^%#*@! alone!"
"Why can't Station North have the same qualities?"
because suburbanization has homogenized those neighborhoods dude. that's why.

Agreed. It should stay a little rough-around-the-edges. Once I start seeing boys wearing pink polos with popped collars around there, I'm finding a new neighborhood. They can stay in Canton or Timonium or whatever non-"dodgy" place they came from.

i agree that the area should retain its edge, and should not be turned into canton (which is now basically white marsh). having said that, i can see what sam is saying. as a woman, i feel a little sketchy parking more than a block away from the immediate 'station north' district, so if i can't find close parking it becomes a bit of an issue. and i am not someone who is easily intimidated but i also have to keep personal safety in mind and take care of myself. i'd probably spend more time there at night if i felt a little safer. eclectic and creative is fine, unsafe is not.

SDR,

You nailed it. I'm not saying I want Station North to be Power Plant. But it needs to be safer, and all of those burnt out rowhouses and retail spaces need to be turned into more studios and businesses. That's the only way Station North will really thrive.

There is a big divide between where Joe Squared is on the corner of Howard and the block of Charles Street that thrives. However I don't think there area in between is as dangerous as most people think. Aside from the occasional pan handler or pill pusher outside New York Fried chicken I've never encountered much trouble. Safer parking is now available above North Avenue in the big lot between Howard and Maryland for those looking not to park further down on the "undeveloped" part of North.