Cities across the country continue to face challenges attracting and maintaining businesspeople in the post-pandemic environment, which harms downtown restaurants and retailers. But cities such as Baltimore, Boston, Denver and San Francisco are effectively turning to arts and culture programming to activate these urban core areas, with placemaking principles encouraging audiences to visit and linger.
A local example is the Black Arts District Mural Project on West Lexington Street, an effort sponsored by the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore. This formerly underutilized stretch in Baltimore City’s central business district has been transformed into a vibrant space featuring murals honoring Black culture and hip-hop history, which encourages community involvement and placemaking. The effort consistently draws audiences, including downtown office workers, residents, students, and visitors.
Brad Byrnes, President of commercial real estate development and investment company Byrnes & Associates, Inc., says that the positive impact of adding artwork, murals, and planters to buildings with “tremendous histories” is incalculable. “In essence, this makes history more present, helps elevate old to historic and provides compelling reasons for people to come visit.”
He points to Tribe Social Café, a locally owned coffee shop and art gallery which leases space at the Redwood Exchange Building at 233 E. Redwood Street. The cafe regularly organizes opportunities for local artists to showcase and sell merchandise. It also sponsors regular speaker series events which attract area office workers, community members and residents.
“The elevated ceilings and historic architecture present a one-of-a-kind and highly unique interior setting and people naturally gravitate to supporting local artists and businesspeople, rather than providing business to Starbucks Coffee,” Byrnes added. “The entire experience is authentic and responds to the requests among tenants and office workers to provide something different and true to Baltimore.”
Eric Souza, Regional Vice President Mid-Atlantic for Block by Block, explains in a LinkedIn post that “cultural programming, events, and everyday activation have encouraged foot traffic, social interaction, and a renewed appreciation for the neighborhood’s history and identity.”
He adds, “The project demonstrates that public art is about much more than beautification. By creating a sense of place and giving people a reason to linger, the mural corridor has helped re-establish the street as a community asset.”
Featured in this article: Block by Block, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Byrnes & Associates.