Meeting Notes Coming Soon
GRIA Community Meeting 10/15/2025
Board Members Present: Wynnona Engle- Pratt (President), Samantha Horn (Secretary), Michele Baskin, Pete, Matt Williams (zoom)
Staff: Jen McKenzie
BPD
1 rep from the Garage/R House
Leo from SoBeachy Haitian Cuisine business
Councilman Jermaine Jones
Councilwoman Odette Ramos
Total Attendees: 22
Zoom- 7 including a rep from DPW
Zoom Recording here
Password: 2a@tcn$=
Agenda
- Community Introductions
- BPD Northern District- Sgt
- No homicide, no shootings, no rape, 1 attempted robbery, 1 domestic aggravated assault, 3 larceny (2 shoplifting, 1 stolen package), 2 hyundais stolen, 1 robbery compared to 5 the previous year
- if you have a Hyundai- you can get a wheel lock from the Northern District
- Arrests were made in the 2 commercial burglaries at 29th and Huntingdon
- Hit and run with cyclist at 29th and Huntingdon in September- please contact the Northern District if anyone has partial tags of the red Rav 4 from the incident
- Traffic related Incidents in the neighborhood Starting 1/1/25- 13 accidents w/ injuries, 70 accidents with no injury, 19 calls that didn’t require police, 14 for accidents where people left the scene (may have exchanged information at left);
- Halloween- district will have a haunted house and trunk or treating; burgers and dogs
- 10/25- 10-2 will be drug take back- 2812 Reisterstown Rd; another on E 43rd St. and York Rd
- No homicide, no shootings, no rape, 1 attempted robbery, 1 domestic aggravated assault, 3 larceny (2 shoplifting, 1 stolen package), 2 hyundais stolen, 1 robbery compared to 5 the previous year
- Sisson Street Community Transfer Station
- 28th and Sisson Street community transfer station/drop off has been offered to be redeveloped, Mayor’s office proposed relocating to Falls Road in Jones Falls Valley (2800 Falls Rd.)
- Mayor’s Task Force includes 3 city council members, Community organizations, FRiends of the Jones Falls
- First meeting will be setting the stage for the task force, meetings after that will be public- depending on rooms/space and the administration
- Question from Zoom- Jan from Friends of the Jones Falls- Baltimore Brew/Fishbowl/Baltimore Banner published it.
- A- GRIA Only just received communications today (10/15)
- Councilman Jermaine Jones- referred to published articles
- Question- will folks from other parts of the city be involved? The entire city that utilizes the station?
- A- Sam Horn referenced the entire task force from Mayor’s office graphic- Councilwoman Odette Ramos, Councilman Jermaine Jones, Councilman James Torrance, GRIA, Midtown Community Benefits District, Friends of the Jones Falls, Stonehill Community Association, Hampden Community Council, Charles Village Civic Association, Reservoir Hill Community Association, Bikemore
- A- Wynn- we hear you, part of advocacy involves that if we are advocating for change here, we should be hearing from additional folks
- A- Councilman Jones- we need to keep it local because these are the folks that will be impacted the most
- Comment- article from 10/1 announces the task force
- Comment- if the transfer station moves outside of this geographic area, then the task force needs to fold in representation from THAT region- many agreed
- JedTask Force Members will be able to ask for expert testimony
- Councilman Jones- per the open meeting act- these meetings will be public due to the fact that there are 3 city council members on the task force
- New Businesses
- SoBeachy Haitian Cuisine- Leo F- plans to move to Huntingdon and 28th and looks forward to joining the Remington Community. Hopes to open in summer of 2026! Haitian Fusion Cuisine and a beach vibe
- In the process of purchasing the building, and has participated in Mt. Royal Soaps night markets
- Currently has a food truck and hopes to serve food from the truck in the neighborhood prior to opening brick and mortar
- Asked for GRIA’s input on timing for serving food, etc- referred to Land Use Committee for specific questions
- Stoked Vintage- retail opened at 411 W. 29th St
- La Maison- 2600 N. Howard- bakery from the same folks as Cafe Dear Leon
- Announced that they are now fully open Wednesday-Sunday 8-3
- Comment- Sunday Morning Church of the Guardian Angel folks had trouble parking- it may be impact for residents, etc. Business may want to provide patrons more info on the parking lot, etc.
- Wynn- need to discuss the community firepit with the owners and MOU for its day to day upkeep
- 26th and Huntingdon will be renovated based on Grant- Will narrow pedestrian crossings and fix sidewalks
- SoBeachy Haitian Cuisine- Leo F- plans to move to Huntingdon and 28th and looks forward to joining the Remington Community. Hopes to open in summer of 2026! Haitian Fusion Cuisine and a beach vibe
- Hauntingdon- Jen McKenzie
- 2900 block Huntingdon Ave 10/25 starting at 4!
- Live music (Kevin Sherry for kids, local band Tapir View), porch decorating contest, costume contests, glowstick archery, crafts
- Could use volunteers! Run activities, set up/breakdown or donations/planning help
- At least 1 food truck, beverages
- Prizes include Ace Hardware, Greedy Reads, Doppio and Soap Shop, potential dog costume contest
- Question- will there be a movie?
- Answer- kids are running around and more interested in activities, so no movie this year
- GRIA Organizing a blood drive- we need 40+ signatures of people that are interested so they can schedule/come. If you’re interested- sign up or fill out google form
- Question- what are the blood donation qualifications?
- Aanswer- unsure- defer to American Red Cross
- Big Jump Cleanup
- Regular Cleanup on 10/18- usually picking up trash, this month is also raking leaves and clearing storm drains; beautifying 2900 block of Huntingdon to prep for Hauntingdon
- Big Jump Cleanup 11/15- 3rd annual! Partnering with neighborhood associations on the other side of 28th street to clean up the Big Jump
- Tree Plantings- November has 2 tree plantings
- We have planted trees in pretty much every spot we can, so now we’re helping other neighborhoods!
- Saturday 11/8- 1900 N. Longwood Street with North Ave Task Force
- Saturday 11/22- 30 S. Gilmor Street in Union Square
- Community Announcements
- Land Use Committee has one vacancy- Please reach out to landuse@griaonline.org if you’re interested
- Miracle Church of Baltimore- Yolanda- 11/1 Fundraiser and closet clean out/yard sale miraclechurchbaltimore@gmail.com
- GENTLY WORN and proper conditionShoes, coats, small appliances
- Will come pick it up if you email and schedule
- Drop off 9:30-11 on Sundays, or just leave it
- Jed Weeks- Big Jump is now concrete! Semi permanent for High Vis paint, more flex posts
- Odette- there’s a gap/slip lane where some cars were driving there
- Jed- temporary infrastructure was removed, working on permanent
- Baltimore Family Alliance- 10/19 Cruise/Walk/Run
- DOT Walktober 10/23 event by Big Jump event at Druid Hill Park Reservoir
- Request for Seawall update on the Sisson to Hampden Ave Project- GRIA will invite to meetings to ask for an update
- The Garage at R. House- now managed by Kitsch Hospitality- Justin
- Here for All types of events- weeknights are likely flexible for community members/groups
- Volunteer call out for flyer distribution! Please reach out to Jen at volunteers@griaonline.org to take a flyering route next month. Routes are ~2 blocks and a great way to meet your neighbors
- Church of the Guardian Angel thrift shop, runs 1st & 2nd Sat of the month, 10am – 2 pm, bring donations during open hours only, also seeking volunteers; Food Pantry, every
Wednesday from 9 am – 10 am, need volunteers for delivery drivers and some muscle on Tuesday mornings to unload trucks (9:30 – 10:15ish). Registration preferred but not required - Church of the Guaridan Angel Thanksgiving meal here in Kromer Hall- all are welcome!
- Mount Royal Soaps Night Markets – Every 3rd Friday from 5 pm to 9 pm (April through November), includes food, vendors, free drinks!
- Best Jack O Lantern Contest this Month! $100 gift card!
- Halloween Movie Night 10/24 6pm Lorraine Ave (Coco and then Beetlejuice)
- Mission Fit GROW event 10/26- Join the GRIA team! 90 minutes of rowing split up into 2 minute sprints
- RemFest Merchandise will be for sale at Mount Royal Soaps- proceeds will benefit GRIA
- Councilwoman Odette Ramos-
- 11/6 in the morning- Older adult resource fair at the Waverly Y- will have BGE, estate planning, home repair, etc
- Amy Sherrald exhibit at BMA- 11/2 through April including the Michelle Obama Portrait. There will be 2 community days w/ free admission!
- BGE Work on 2900 block signage changed to 10/27, Jen not too concerned because they have the permit app
Next Community Meeting: November 19, 2025