Recent comments in /f/baltimore

istayquiet t1_j64c3ui wrote

Reply to BGE is quietly pushing to control Baltimore’s underground conduit system by finsterallen

This is a really complicated issue. The City conduit division is understaffed and still struggling with data lost during the 2019 ransomware attack. I recently waited nearly 5 months for a permit to make its way through this office and the final result wound up costing 4x as much as anticipated due to rerouting. My organization builds fiber to serve internet deserts in Baltimore, and provides low-income households with free home broadband. For a non-profit, these delays and revisions have been incredibly burdensome, and represent really significant barriers to entry for other ISPs interested in expanding service to the 40% of Baltimore households who don’t have home internet service.

For context, conduit fees are presently $2.20/foot/year. When you apply for conduit access where there is none, you are then tasked with building conduit on your own dime. After you build this conduit, the city takes possession of it and you pay them to rent what you just paid to build.

The article points out that this will put digital equity efforts in jeopardy. The truth is, the city conduit division (and the conduit fee structure, generally) are putting digital equity efforts in jeopardy already. This has been the case for years. Add the fact that Comcast’s franchise agreement allows them to submit all permits for conduit access in arrears, and equity becomes a really significant concern.

I hesitate to mention this “hot take”, but BGE might be better positioned to operate the conduit system than what we have right now. At minimum, if the city continues to own/operate the conduit system, significant changes need to be made.

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YoYoMoMa t1_j64a4v5 wrote

Reply to comment by mrcolinp in Does the Avenue in Hampden need more parking? by Ghoghogol

I don't see how getting rid of the extra parking for the wine source would be good for the neighborhood. The spot right out in front of the wine source is already a cluster at busy times, and I cannot imagine the people that live around there being thrilled about losing more parking spots to non residents.

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PigtownDesign t1_j648qvv wrote

Reply to Woodberry Tavern thinks big in a small space in Baltimore by sxswnxnw

The best line in the review is Gjerde, famous for sourcing ingredients from close by, says he’s relaxed some of his earlier dictates. “It’s hard to say to someone who’s booked a wedding here they can’t get a lime for their gin and tonic.” Their stance on non-local was completely insane. Let me know what sugar is farmed locally...

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YoYoMoMa t1_j646znm wrote

Reply to comment by mrcolinp in Does the Avenue in Hampden need more parking? by Ghoghogol

>People who don’t want to do street parking can go to one of the many liquor stores that don’t require it.

Yeah I would love for you to explain that to the wine source (and to the people waiting for parking).

My point is, you can wish and want all you choose, but people want to go to the wine source in a car and want to park in an accessible lot. And the store itself wants this too. Any solution is going to have to factor this in.

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th1smustbetheplace t1_j643rbl wrote

Reply to comment by KingBooRadley in Does the Avenue in Hampden need more parking? by Ghoghogol

I bought a place with a parking pad specifically because I didn't want to deal with how competitive street parking can get between Thanksgiving and New Years, but it's generally fine the rest of the year. Some of my friends who live in more residential parts of the city seem surprised when they can't find a spot directly in front of my house, but there's always something within a 2-block radius.

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