Monumental Mount Royal North

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Photos take by Irene Agnes O'Leary www.ireneoleary.com/

The public spaces of North Avenue, Mount Royal Terrace, and Mount Royal Avenue were sufficiently activated during the Monumental Mount Royal North tour. From raising questions about the barriers between public and private spaces, to yelling at traffic over safety barriers, this team shed some intellectual and spiritual light on these areas. Participation from neighbors, historians, MICA community and all those who went on the tour was paramount to the projects' success and is greatly appreciated by all involved in MMRN. The bean pies at the end of the tour was the frosting on the cake. Thanks again to Stephen, Monica, Graham, Elliott, Susan, Michelle, Tommy, Teal, Ashley, Marcela, and Amanda for your hard work.

"What the map cuts up, the story cuts across" -- Michel de Certeau

MICA's Gateway building- The first of the “green” buildings at MICA. The Gateway is an eight story building which houses dormitory space along with offices and meeting spaces, gallery spaces and a coffee shop. Made up of concrete and 15 different types of glass the building stands tall over looking the intersection of Mount Royal and North avenue. 

The North Ave Fire Station is a historical remnant of the neighborhood that once stood here. Opened as Hook and Ladder No. 11 in 1901. The building was bought by MICA in 2001 and now houses the Facilities Management department as well as MICA’s Environmental Health and Safety department. Tucked under the JFX onramp the firehouse is a hidden reminder of a different kind of life this intersection once had.

The southeast corner of Mount Royal Avenue and North Avenue is the northeastern most edge of Baltimore’s Bolton Hill neighborhood and dominated by MICA’s Gateway building. This was the first of the “green” buildings at MICA.  Closest to the intersection, a triangular green space with trees, shrubs and grass is framed by stark gray concrete walls of varying heights that serves as the barrier between MICA and the rest of the intersection. Also on this corner is an old decommissioned firehouse repurposed by MICA to house the Facilities Management department. Underneath the JFX over pass that is raised high above the intersection, is a 2010 mural by artist Jerry Butler dedicated to social justice. This mural serves as a welcoming place for those waiting on the #13 bus.

The median between Jones Falls Expressway and Mt. Royal Avenue is the most active spot for panhandling at the intersection. With the heavy flow of traffic exiting the JFX, the median is an excellent place for holding a sign, or hocking goods. The worn ground and occasional hand-made signage posted on the tree are just a few clues that attest to the median being a busy spot for ad hoc commerce.

This sculpture entitled, Catch Me if you Can was created in 1973 by MICA Rinehart School of Sculpture Graduate Jeffrey Johnson. Johnson repurposed a found large beam that had been bent by a wrecking ball from the demolition site of the Deutsches Haus (The original site of the Bryn Mawr School, now the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall).

The MICA Oak Tree: Well over one hundred years old, this multipurpose landmark, called the “MICA Oak” by MICA officials, serves both as a reminder of time passing by, and as a campsite for some of Baltimore’s transient community. Its enormous canopy provides shelter from the elements, and also offers a kaleidoscopic lens for sky gazing.   

Lazarus Garden: This project was conceived in 2009 in honor of MICA’s President, Fred Lazarus and his wife Jonna Lazarus for their 30 years of service to MICA and Baltimore. A “Staff Day of Service” was organized to clean the park. 30 redbud trees were planted around the benches made by the old curb stones from the renovation of the Mt. Royal train station in order to create a place for passersby to sit and reflect in a place that at one point did not exist.

The Jones Falls Expressway Concrete Barrier: The low-level concrete wall that divides the northeast green space from the Jones Falls Expressway is a tense boundary between motorists and pedestrians. This uneasy, but safe barrier is an exhilarating location that brings the high speed and energy of the interstate to the feet of pedestrians.

The Mount Royal Terrace area, formally part of the Reservoir hill neighborhood, dates back to the 17th century. The area's stately homes developed over a period of years when affluent Baltimore and Maryland area families were seeking s country refuge from then Baltimore “town”. The reservoir, now replaced by the Jones Falls Expressway and Howard Streets, accommodated residents with a view of the water from the second floor balconies common to the architecture of the terrace area mansions. More recently, Mount Royal Terrace forms the beginning of the Druid Hill Park area. Monuments such as the Watson Monument mark the area with historical reference to Baltimore's military involvement in the Mexican War.

"The fence around what we affectionately call "the Pit" was partially replaced when the then Commons, now Founders Green, was built. A section of remaining "historic", damaged, iron fence was replaced a few years ago when it was determined that unbeknownst to us, MICA owned this property, down to the tunnel opening. We only found this out after Amtrak, in the name of "Homeland Security", cut down all the volunteer trees and bushes that were growing there. They also intended to install 8' tall expanded metal and razor wire security fencing. When MICA and the Bolton Hill neighborhood objected and appealed to the city to assist us it was revealed that MICA had owned the property since we purchased the land for the Commons. Amtrak had trespassed and caused damage to our property. A few years of litigation resulted in Amtrak paying to re-landscape the area."