Hello Mr. Dresser,

I read with interest your article regarding the Baltimore Grand Prix.

First let me say that I sympathize with those who are inconvenienced due to the temporary construction projects along major arteries in Baltimore. The key word, however, is TEMPORARY. In the meantime, the City has done a tremendous job of detouring drivers to avoid the congested areas.

Based on personal experience I can almost guarantee that in the long run, the City of Baltimore will benefit greatly from this event. I grew up in Southern California during the 1970s. I remember well the angst that was brought about by the ripped-up streets of Long Beach. Drivers were irate; residents were hugely inconvenienced. But thirty-plus years later the Toyota Grand Prix is one of the premier racing events in the country. The City of Long Beach has benefited greatly from this event.

The City will likely never be the same again....but in a most positive way.

Sincerely,

Cindy Salvatore
Events Manager
PassageMaker Magazine
410.610.8370

I am not driving to work currently, but I can tell you that the construction at S. Charles Street and Pratt has made me late for work several days. I was catching the No. 64 bus from Hanover St. to downtown. Some mornings it took the bus almost 30 minutes to get from Cross Street Market to Pratt Street, which is normally a five to 10 minute ride. People were getting off and walking downtown faster than the bus was moving. I couldn't do that because I was suffering from knee and foot pain. I've never been so angry in my life. I had to sit there and bear it because I couldn't afford to get off and walk. And it's not true that the construction and backups are starting at 9:00 a.m. I say 7:30 or 8 a.m. This is a job that needs to be done at night, not while people are trying to get to work. I'm now having to go out of my way and get the light rail downtown.

In reference to your op-ed above, I too can sympathize with people this is affecting. Although I am not presently commuting downtown, I've been a city resident for 14 years and have worked downtown for a majority of those years, so I understand the frustration that comes with road constuction. That being said, hopefully angry commuters, pedestrians, etc. will understand that this is roadwork that likely would have needed to be done anyway; it is just being streamlined and accelerated now because of the impending Grand Prix.

I fully support the race for the benefit of the city and all the notoriety and revenue that it will bring. Although a headache now, I hope others can share my enthusiasm for the great things the Baltimore Grand Prix will do for Baltimore. We all put up with traffic headaches for the Orioles and Ravens; why not take it up on ourselves to recognize that this will benefit an awesome event for everyone on Labor Day Weekend?

Lastly, I like Sharon's comment about doing the work at night and agree that would be wonderful. My guess is that the city budget cuts don't allow for this to be done and thus the work can only be done during daylight hours, but I really can't speak to that.

Your article is what they were writing in Long Beach California before the first Long beach Grand Prix.
The roads were a mess, the utilities were intermittent, and businesses were complaining about customer inconvenience.
And the city had to satisfy a Formula One track specification which is much more stringent then an IRL track requirement.

But after the third race, when the roads were good, mass transit had improved, business was up and taxes were down, the city inhabitants were begging to keep the race and improve the area even more. They were enjoying the benefits of the improved city. Long Beach has just run its 37th race this year. (First race was in 1975) People from all over the world travel to see that race. I met people in Monaco that go see the LBGP.

Just like Christmas is a business blessing for retail stores, the Grand Prix for Long Beach (and soon to be Baltimore) was the blessing for the local hotels and restaurants.

Monaco is the most famous of the street races. It takes two weeks to set up the course and two weeks to take it apart. It has become a cultural experience and the community has adapted and become part of the experience.

And the best part for Monaco is, that even during the rest of the year, people from all over the world travel to Monaco to see where the race cars drive and walk the track. They stand at locations that they remember watching on the TV, like the Casino Fountain, the Hairpin Turn and the tunnel under the Fairmont Hotel Parking Garage.

People will begin to remember Baltimore. They will visit and take in a ball game, see a show, and maybe travel to see the nation's capital, they will stand in the locations that they watched the cars drive by. They will walk the track. And the fans will come back, because Baltimore has alot to offer families on a vacation. And the reason the visitors will enjoy Baltimore, is because of the Baltimore community and its citizens.

I know for the inner city inhabitants these next few months will be painful but after Labor Day I hope everyone will be able to enjoy the benefits of the city improvements.

What idiot decided to close parts of light street, charles street, and pratt street at the same time? Then to grid lock conway street.

Seriously, our city planners must have been highschool dropouts.

Michael, I don't know if you've posted on this before, but do you have any idea what the construction project is on Guilford Ave. downtown near City Hall and a few blocks south of The Sun building? There has been a giant trench and lane closings there for at least a year, if not more, and no progress seems to be being made on a road that a lot of drivers, bikers, and buses use to get downtown and avoid the heavy traffic on St. Paul/Light St. This past week it was down to one lane, which created a bigger tie up than usual. Thanks.
COMMENT: I'm not familar with that one but will ask.--MTD