In Mount Vernon, a historic preservation fiasco

The cracks in the building could be seen for months as they grew in size. A handsome 1860s townhouse in Baltimore's historic Mount Vernon neighborhood was being irreparably damaged by the novice developers working on an eight-story apartment building next door. The developer - who, as it happened, owned the damaged historic structure - said it could not be saved and 4 East Eager was demolished. How, in a city with housing inspectors, a planning staff and a preservation board, did this happen? Critics said it was part of a pattern of city government favoring business interests over historic building preservation. Baltimore Brew took a closer look.

Baltimore housing: No penalties for developer who destabilized – then demolished – historic townhouse

Eight months after the department was ordered to complete a report on the mistakes leading to a historic building’s teardown, there apparently will be no accountability. UPDATED with amended statement by HCD.

As historic townhouse waits for demolition, CHAP hopes for replacement building

Still no word on whether the city will impose fines on the owner/developer whose next-door project destabilized 4 East Eager Street.

Chronology of a historic preservation debacle in the heart of Mt. Vernon

Tenants faced bodily harm, an 1860s building suffered irreparable damage, a building inspector saw nothing and the developer kept quiet. City officials now say: “We had no idea.”

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Saving the front facade of Mt. Vernon townhouse ruled too dangerous by CHAP

Even if the building could be stabilized, it “would always appear tilted,” CHAP is told by the owner’s engineer.

“Somebody is culpable here,” says CHAP chairman as panel okays demolition of Mt. Vernon building

An engineer says “inadequate” foundation work at Landmark Partners’ office building project was the root cause of the collapse of a historic 1860s townhouse.

Historic Mt. Vernon building, damaged by construction project next door, likely to be demolished

CHAP oversight of historic properties under question after mishap involving former Grand Central nightclub building.