Top 5: ‘Six vacant homes went up in flames’

The Baltimore Ravens announced this week that they wouldn’t be holding their training camp at McDaniel College, and the Baltimore Development Corp., along with the city’s law department and Gateway South LLC, an agreement that would allow for a slots facility. Those stories and more in this week’s business top 5.

1. Ravens won’t hold training camp at McDaniel – by Nicholas Sohr

The Baltimore Ravens will hold training camp in Owings Mills next month, breaking a 15-year streak at McDaniel College that began when the team moved to Maryland and will end as labor strife roils in the NFL.

The owners’ lockout of their players has disrupted the league’s offseason operations since March 12, forcing teams to cancel workouts and other activities while casting doubt on the season itself.

2. EBDI’s slow pace makes for a ‘war zone’ – by Melody Simmons

As he looks out the front door of the rectory at St. Wenceslaus Church in East Baltimore, the Rev. Peter Lyons says he often sees something that resembles an urban war zone.

Blocks of vacant and boarded-up houses, once home to a vibrant community, have sat unattended for at least two years, he said, as work on a portion of the 88-acre, $1.8 billion redevelopment of the community known as Middle East has stalled.

3. BDC, Gateway South reach $1.2M settlement on Baltimore slots facility – by Rachel Bernstein

The Baltimore Development Corp., the Baltimore City Law Department and Gateway South LLC announced a $1.2 million settlement Tuesday that helps clear the way for a new slots facility near M&T Bank Stadium.

The agreement confirms that Gateway South will not seek development rights on the proposed slots site, which removes a potential legal hurdle to the city’s efforts in bringing slots to Baltimore.

4. BDC seeks proposals for two Pigtown buildings – by Melody Simmons

Developers are being sought by the city to convert two buildings totaling 7,760 square feet into a mixed-use project in the city’s historic Pigtown community.

The Baltimore Development Corp. Wednesday issued a request for proposals for 906 Washington Blvd., two structures that are 110 years old and share an address. The buildings are located within the 165-acre Pigtown-Washington Village Urban Renewal Area in Southwest Baltimore, also known as Washington Village.

5. Event planners: Baltimore starting to change perceptions – by Chelsea Feinstein

More than 3,000 meeting and convention planners from around the world flocked to Baltimore Tuesday for the Americas Meeting and Events Exhibition at the Baltimore Convention Center, providing a platform for the city to boost its reputation worldwide as a destination for business and leisure tourism.

Based on initial reactions from convention-goers Tuesday, Baltimore is making the most of its opportunity to change people’s perceptions about the city.