Last week, we shared news about the City of Baltimore planning to end its contract with the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts; findings from the Waterfront Partnership’s latest Healthy Harbor report; and an update about Foreman and Wolf’s The Duchess restaurant coming soon to Hampden.Revisit the stories here:Most Popular:“I had to let the reality of where we are now in the city guide my pastoral strategy…” — Father Evan Ponton, associate pastor, Shrine of the Little Flower. Credit: Brigette Paffenback“A City to Come: Anger and Acceptance at the Shrine of the Little Flower“: The Shrine of the Little Flower is one of six churches in Northeast Baltimore to be closed in a restructuring plan.Restaurateur Tony Foreman walks outside the soon-to-open and newly painted Duchess restaurant in Hampden. Photo by Ed Gunts.“Signs that the much-anticipated Duchess restaurant is getting closer to opening in Hampden“: Foreman and Wolf Group’s The Duchess restaurant, which will replace the former Cafe Hon in Hampden, shows signs it’s getting closer to opening, including an open call for job interviews.SodexoMagic Vice President of Business Development and Account Management Donna Ford speaks at Morgan State University’s 40th Annual Homecoming Gala, with Morgan State University President David Wilson in the background. Courtesy photo.“Basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. pledges $1M to Morgan State University“: Basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr. has pledged $1 million to Morgan State University to support its Earl G. Graves School of Business & Management.Properties on West Fayette Street have been torn down after a partial collapse last month. Photo by Ed Gunts.“Baltimore Development Corporation terminates agreement with group that wanted to redevelop ‘Superblock’“: The Baltimore Development Corporation has terminated its agreement with Westside Partners LLC, the group that proposed to build a $150 million to $200 million mixed-use project called The Compass using 18 city-owned parcels on the west side of downtown.“Hot House: This Norman Revival home looks plucked right out of the French countryside“: Built in 1939, this Norman Revival house retains many of its original charming features, like a spiral staircase and steep rooflines.Editor’s Picks:Artscape in Baltimore, Maryland on August 2, 2024. (credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC)“Baltimore to end contract with BOPA, citing organization’s financial issues“: The City of Baltimore will terminate its contract with the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts, the organization in charge of putting on Artscape, the Baltimore Book Festival, and certain other city events.Baltimore residents jump into Baltimore’s Inner Harbor at the 2024 Harbor Splash on June 23, 2024. Photo by Maggie Jones.“Waterfront Partnership report gives harbor’s ecosystem health a C grade, highlighting sewer and stormwater impacts“: While Baltimore’s harbor remains swimmable, the waterway’s health continues to be impacted by sewage overflows, stormwater runoff, and trash pollution, according to the Waterfront Partnership’s annual Harbor Heartbeat report card released on Thursday.A rendering depicts the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s planned School of Social Work building. Credit: Ballinger.“UMB breaks ground for $120M, six-story building to house School of Social Work“: Representatives of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) held a ceremonial groundbreaking on Thursday for their next major campus building, a $120 million, six-story home for the School of Social Work at 600 W. Lexington Street.Screenshot from Maryland Zoo YouTube video.“Maryland Zoo’s new attraction? The parking lot!“: The Maryland Zoo has overhauled its parking lot to provide what they’re calling a “superior experience” for guests, whether people drive, bike, or walk to see their favorite creatures and critters.