By: Baltimore, MD Staff
October 2, 1997
Will the Crash Cafe really crash? Neighborhods in the vicinity of the "New Gold Coast", Key Highway, are hoping it will. To that end,
they have found a man of great legal and political experience to champion their cause. George L. Russell, Jr., former Baltimore City Solicitor, judge and partner in the firm of Piper & Marbury agreed today to take up their cause.
So...what's a "Crash Cafe" ? It's been described by the developers as a tribute to stunt persons, and, by some of the residents of the area as a monument to bad taste. With a crashed plane protuding from an exterior wall, and smoke pouring out, the next visual treat is the sight of "a motorcycle ... smashed into one of the crooked crannies in the wall."
The proposed cafe would be the third new business in the Key Highway area that depends upon alcohol for a significant part of its income. Residents have expressed concerns that another facility dispensing alcohol and attracting large numbers of customers in the evening will amplify existing parking problems, trash and public urination that has been evidenced since the 'Gold Coast' development has occured.
The Federal Hill Merchants Association voted to take a position against the new cafe. A usually reliable source in the group indicated that because of the exisiting parking problems in the South Baltimore area, members felt that a large influx of vehicles would not be in the best interests of their customers and the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
The latest date for the hearing before the Baltimore City Liquor Board is Thursday, October 9, at 3 pm. "Crash Cafe" is represented by a former Baltimore City Liquor Board Commissioner, Curtis Baer.
For more information, Click Here for an article reprinted from The Independent. Mark Adams offers in-depth coverage on the "Crash Cafe".
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