Please elaborate on the conversion of the Northpoint government center. Does this include moving of the police station? If so what possible information do you have on that?

Did anybody think about how over 50 years ago this center and Dundalk High was built at the same time ?

Eastsider, our councilman claimed interest from some so-called big box retailer for that site and in doing so, planting a seed for a campaign to move the "government center" to the former distillery on Sollers Point Road in a deal to rival the Yorkway giveaway. The site of the North Point Government Center is no place for any big box store and I doubt any interest was ever expressed.

Would like to see Trader Joe's I think Dundalk needs one

There are some great suggestions

I can't see a Target or Lowes coming to the old goverment center site. The intersection of Merritt - Wise - Holabird is busy enough as it is and the idea of adding more traffic (i.e. trucks with/for deliveries)...good lord.....I agree on re-vamping the old shopping center and updating it's looks but why not just create a nice recreation park or something for the kids or families to go during the summer days at the goverment site...keep it simple.

oh...and don't forget about the 4th of July fireworks....where would they move the show to if they re-develope the goverment site....hmmm

Irwin, it's not about what we think. It's about the bottom line. We can see that taking shape in Fort Howard. If you have a chip in the game you can play, if not, as they say - you're not a player.

Dundalk needs anything that will keep money from leaving this area.

I want to re-iterate my comment from the previous article. I do want to see a target, and maybe some other stores that can offer competition for Walmart and the grocery stores we have now. However, I do not think a big box retailer would work well in this corridor of Dundalk. To put any type of big retailer at the site of the government center would create a traffic nightmare on Wise Avenue.

"They" (whomever they are) have the right concept, but obviously lack common sense to see it through. We do need better stores here, but in better locations.

I'd rather have a Target/Kohl's/chain restaurant than a soccer field and fireworks location. I think they could address some of the traffic issues, others would be collateral damage. Build it. The time I'd spend in traffic would pale in comparison to the time it takes me to drive to Middle River or White Marsh.

I think Merritt Blvd. would be a bigger part of the equation than Wise Ave.; just guessing. And as with everything, there are going to be trade-offs. Econ 101: Opportunity Cost. You can't have it all.

Buzz, I understand it being about the bottom line..always has always will but we are the folks that live in the neighborhood's surrounding that area. We should have some say in the developement to a point.....throw a big box store in that area and add to the traffic congestion that is already there, folks trying to leave the big box store will be using our neighborhood to get around the intersection. Utimately the county is going to do what they think is best but they really should take it to the people of Dundalk and surrounding neighborhood's and get some real feedback. Push themselve's away from the desk and get out in the community, chat with the folk's who live there.

Irwin, we will have a say. There will be a series of steps including zoning issues that will give the community a chance to voice our concerns. There is a community meeting Tuesday night at Squires Restaurant at 6:30 pm. I'm sure this will be one of the concerns.

There are many who have the same concerns as you. There is a ways to go before we cross that bridge.

Karebear, that intersection would be an issue in any potential development of the government center. I think it would require an upgrade to meet the increase in traffic and the impact on the community.

I'm a little surprised that in many of the comments regarding what people want to see in the area of development does not deal with living wage jobs.

This zip code has the lowest per capita income in the county according to 1999 figures. The average income in BC is $26,167 while Dundalk is listed at $18,167.

The figures are dated but I think the recession will maintain the current disparity in those numbers.

This is another link from the county which may shed some light on the issue.

http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/economicdev/gateway/demographics/index.html#income

Wyatt, I as far as the government center goes I don't think there will be a swap. I think the issue of a Target is a ruse. The ruse is to get the community to act quickly to secure these box stores by making claims if the center is not moved to Segrams the stores will go elsewhere.

I made some inquires to Target's VP of land development. There will be more on this latter.