Mayor Rawlings-Blake Issues Statement on Decision to Veto Hampden Residential Permit Parking Bill

BALTIMORE, Md. (March 6, 2015)—Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake issued the following statement regarding her decision to veto City Council Bill No. 14-0397, a bill that would introduce a new residential permit parking program in Hampden:

"Major development and redevelopment across Baltimore is exciting. It brings new housing for more residents, more opportunities for jobs, and more of the retail, dining, and entertainment experiences that communities need to thrive. In short, it shows that Baltimore City is growing. But for me, the most important part of a growing a city has always been making sure we give those residents who are already here more reasons to stay. After conversations with community leaders, local business, and longtime residents, one thing was clear: City Council Bill No. 14-0397 was not right for Hampden at this time.

The bill’s proposed parking restrictions will begin before we know that the impact the Rotunda’s redevelopment will actually have on nearby residential streets. Even worse, by implementing the plan now, we would be much more likely to disrupt parking throughout the broader neighborhood, including some residents who would be left with no viable parking options at all. While I believe that Council’s heart was in the right place, the parking restrictions proposed by the Bill are premature and disruptive.

However, I remain sensitive to the concerns of the proponents of the bill. We will continue to regularly monitor parking activity in the area around the Rotunda throughout the redevelopment process, and I remain committed to working with a broad range of community partners, as well as the two councilmembers who represent the area, to determine best solution for everyone who calls the neighborhood home.”

Will Bauer, Vice President of the Hampden Community Council, issued the following statement in reaction to the Mayor's decision:

“We are honored and proud to bring the diverse members of the Hampden community together to ensure that this unfortunate piece of legislation did not pass. Merchants and residents agreed that the proposed parking restrictions would only exacerbate problems, not solve them. And we are thrilled that the Mayor took the time to meet with the community, hear our concerns, and ultimately did the right thing by vetoing this bill. We are glad to know that the needs of our community come first."