Kidcentric : Development News

A $2 million downtown park will break ground next month, adding more green space and public art to the Inner Harbor.

Members of the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance and the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore Inc. hope that the park will enhance the area's appeal for families when it opens in the fall.

"There needed to be a better park this side of town," says Emily Hiller, a board member of the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance. "There's no outdoor space for children to play."

Baltimore artist David Hess has designed two sculptures on which children can climb. Located in front of the Columbus Center, Pierce's Park will contain a willow tunnel created by New York artist Bonnie Gale. The one-acre park will also feature a musical fence that plays different musical notes when struck.

Half the money for the park came from the state. The rest came from individuals, foundations, and corporations.

The park is named after Hiller's father, Pierce John Flanigan III, who died of a brain hemorrhage in 2008 at age 66. Flanigan was president of his family's transportation infrastructure business P. Flanigan & Sons Inc.

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Emily Hiller

White Marsh Mall is getting four new tenants this year, including Maryland's first P.S. from Aeropostale children's clothing store.

Women's clothing and accessory store Francesca's Collections, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers,and Chinese takeout Master Wok will also join the mall as it looks to beef up its retail roster that appeals to women, teens, and families.

Selling clothes for kids ages five to 12, the 3,265-square-foot P.S. store will open late June on the second floor in the former Aeropostale space, White Marsh Mall Marketing Manager Michelle Jose says. Teen clothier Aeropostale moved into a larger 5,273-square-foot store earlier this month near JC Penney.

Francesca's Collections will open a 1,369-square-foot store in June on the lower level, its fourth in Greater Baltimore. Its other stores are in Westfield Annapolis, the Gallery at Harborplace and Towson Town Center.

Red Robin will serve up burgers in a 6,278-square-foot shop around December of this year while Master Wok will open a 708-square-foot stall at the food court this month.

It will be Red Robin's fifth store in the Greater Baltimore region. Known for its red d�cor, big booths, and offering balloons and crayons for kids, Red Robin's other stores are in Annapolis, Columbia, Owings Mills, and Towson.

Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: Michelle Jose, White Marsh Mall