Below is an update regarding the roundtable sessions on the old school building at St. Anthony's just east of Belair and Frankford. There is a proposal by Baltimore International Academy Charter School to purchase and relocate into the building. There is contact information at the end of the letter who you can contact with your opinion on the application. Please leave your thoughts in the comments as well.
The
Catholic Faith Community of
Saint Anthony of Padua
/ Most Precious Blood
4414 Frankford Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21206-5133
Phone:
(410) 488-0400 Fax: (410) 488-0032
E-Mail: sapmpb@comcast.net Website: www.stampb.org
November 26, 2011
Re: Update on the vacant
former Mother Mary Lange/St. Anthony School
Dear Neighbor,
As promised, we are writing to you with an update after our recent
roundtable sessions.
State and City representatives, community residents,
parishioners and members of the business
community were in attendance. It was a
wonderful representation of interested parties.
Over 200 proposed uses, opportunities,
community needs and concerns were expressed.
A full report is being prepared and will be sent out soon. The suggested uses fell into ten categories
with educational uses and community enrichment being predominant. Among educational uses, the Charter school known as the Baltimore
International Academy (BIA), a language immersion school, was mentioned most often.
The BIA is housed at present on the grounds of the Maryland School
for the Blind but must vacate their facility to accommodate the School for the Blind’s expansion.
We are grateful toState Delegate Cheryl D. Glenn, the 45th
District representative to the Maryland General Assembly, and Barbara Jackson, President of the Frankford Improvement
Association, who met with the Archbishop of Baltimore, Archbishop Edwin
O’Brien , shortly after the Roundtables.
At this meeting, Archbishop O’Brien stated that the application of the BIA was still “on the table”. At this date, it is the ONLYcredible
application.
BIA has expressed continued interest and has the financial ability to purchase and upgrade the building. The Parish received a fresh application from
them and on their behalf, the parish made application to the Archdiocese. We
believe we are fortunate that such an opportunity exists for use of this vacant
building, knowing it is a preferred use as expressed at the Roundtables.
The application has been sent to a recently formed committee that reviews and recommends approval of real estate sales and leases in the Archdiocese
- RETAC - Real Estate Transaction Committee.
Committee members, who are listed below, are now reviewing the application and gathering comments.
During all these deliberations, a funny thing happened to the
school building: it was in the
Movies!! HBO approached the archdiocese
and asked that it be used for an episode of their new comedy which will come out
in the spring called “VEEP”, starring
Julia Louis- Dreyfus. It was exciting having Hollywood on our doorstep. For a few days, some of you thought you had
moved to the Westside as the school was renamed “Westside Academy”
for the week! (Not to mention the
‘village’ that grew on the parking lot!!)
Now a big request: you can
help accelerate approval of the time sensitive BIA application. If you are in agreement with the application
of the Charter School,
we invite you to ADD YOUR
VOICE! Send a letter or e-mail outlining
your wish for the building to be used as a school, such as the BIA. Please
feel free to write from your heart,make your thoughts known, especially your
hopes for the community, the school’s influence in the past and how this Charter School will affect the future of our community. Of course, time is of the essence, so it is
important to write within the week.
We are sincerely grateful for your participation, interest, support and voice on behalf of our community. We will keep you updated.
Sincerely,
Community Roundtable
Committee
THE FOLLOWING ARE
THE ADDRESSEES TO WHICH LETTERS
SUPPORTING THE PURCHASE OF THE MOTHER
MARY
LANGE SCHOOL
BUILDING BY THE BIA CAN
BE SENT.
Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, D.D Bishop
Denis Madden, D.D, V.G
Apostolic Administrator and
chair of RETAC Auxiliary Bishop and Urban
Vicar
Archdiocese of Baltimore Archdiocese
of Baltimore
320 Cathedral Street, 320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201 Baltimore, MD 21201
Monsignor Richard W. Woy Monsignor
Robert Hartnett
Vicar General, Executive
Director
Archdiocese of Baltimore Office
of research and Planning
320 Cathedral Street, Archdiocese
of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD 21201 320
Cathedral Street,
wvicar@archbalt.org Baltimore, MD
21201
Mark Pacione,
Office of Research and
Planning
Archdiocese of Baltimore, -----------------> Mark is an alumnus of St. Anthony’s School
320 Cathedral Street, and grew up in the neighborhood.
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