Ground Up

The rise and ignominious fall of former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Elizabeth Pugh. Her humiliation has unfolded in what feels like slow motion over the past year, and Thursday, Feb. 13, delivered what looks to be the penultimate chapter in this saga. Federal prosecutors, in a sentencing memorandum, requested U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentence Pugh to 57-months in prison. Pugh’s defense attorney has asked the judge to sentence the 69-year-old West Baltimore resident to a year in jail. Pugh pleaded guilty in November to four of the 11 charges she faced in federal court involving conspiracy and tax evasion stemming from her scheme to finance her political campaigns with sales of her self-published “Healthy Holly” children’s books. Pugh is slated to be sentenced on Feb. 27.

Dana Jonson, the Reinvestment Fund’s managing director for Maryland and Washington, spoke with The Daily Record for the Ground Up Podcast in late August at the fund’s offices. She discussed a variety of topics, including the challenges facing projects she invests in and how a potential recession could impact the fund.

Mindgrub CEO Todd Marks talks about how his firm helps multifamily developers deliver enhanced amenities, where that industry sector is headed and embracing smart city technology to close the digital divide.

The Abell Foundation’s report on the mergers of city and county governments in Nashville, Louisville, and Indianapolis. We talk with the report’s author Jeff Wachter about where these mergers succeed, fall short and why some local leaders are intrigued about the potential of a similar arrangement in the Baltimore region. We also dig into regional ...

Bryan P. Sears, The Daily Record’s government reporter, updates us on the Maryland General Assembly’s 2019 session. We talk about Comptroller Peter Franchot fighting with Democratic lawmakers in Annapolis, the cost of school funding, tax cuts and a lot more. Sen. Bill Ferguson also talks about his bill to improve transparency in Opportunity Zone investments.

Cole Roofing CEO Bill Cole talks with the Ground Up Podcast about running a century old family business, how the industry has changed, potential for solar power in the industry, and how his company provides second chances with jobs. Baltimore’s Acting Police Commissioner Michael Harrison pledges to work with business leaders to fight crime. Howard ...

Steve Appel, of Nouveau Home and Interior Design, Ian and Brian Goldstein, of Brothers Music, discuss how they keep their doors open in the ever challenging retail sector. State Sen. Bill Ferguson makes asks business leaders to invest in Baltimore.

We revisit the strange tale of Kahan S. Dhillon Jr. and The Baltimore Renaissance. Filmmaker and podcast producer Richard Yeagley discusses his podcast  “Town of the Big House,” which examines Dhillon’s efforts to promote The Baltimore Renaissance, a $10 billion proposal to redevelop 70 city-owned sites, the rumors surrounding Dhillon, and what the saga tells ...

Terri Harrington, senior vice president at MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate, discusses how Baltimore’s office market performed in 2018, and what she expects in 2019. We also dig into a few recent updates on previous episodes on Main Street in Ellicott City, and Opportunity Zones.

Towson University’s Daraius Irani, M&T Bank President August “Augie” Chiasera, and JLL’s Matt Haas discuss the regional economy, potential impact on Maryland from a federal government shutdown, and the how Baltimore’s struggle with violent crime hurts business.