Waverly Town Hall, Charter Amendment Highlight Council Agenda

Legislation requesting that Waverly Town Hall be named to the Baltimore City landmark list is scheduled to be introduced to the Baltimore City Council on Monday.

The bill, sponsored by Mary Pat Clarke, D-District 14, is expected to be assigned to the Urban Affairs and Aging Committee. 

Last month the Baltimore Planning Commission approved adding the building to the list. The building, which is located at the corner of Greenmount Avenue and 31st Street, was built in 1873.

A bar called the Northside Lounge was the building's last occupant.

But the liquor license associated with that establishment has lapsed.

“It’s no longer a bar or going to be a bar,” Clarke said during a council luncheon.

School Construction Fund

A bill that would place a referendum issue on the ballot to amend the Baltimore City Charter to create a permanent fund for public school construction and maintenance will appear before the council for second reader.

The council’s Legislative and Judiciary Investigations Committee approved the legislation last week. But the city’s Finance Department objected to the legislation. The department argued that creating the fund could hinder the mayor’s ability to solve future budget issues. 

During a telephone interview last week, Ryan O’Doherty, the mayor’s director of policy and communications, said the administration is concerned about the bill limiting the mayor’s flexibility to address budget priorities.

O’Doherty also said that the administration is interested in working with the council on legislation that is “fiscally responsible.”

He also reiterated Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s commitment to funding education. He pointed out that while surrounding counties have sought a waiver for "maintenance of effort" funding, Rawlings-Blake has increased such funding $1.8 million despite budget deficits totaling $186 million.