just confused - why is this an "illegal" parking lot - There isnt enough parking in Federal Hill as it is, so although I dont disagree that it's not beautiful it does serve a function. Also Im not sure Id want them to pave it over either. We have enough issues with run-off as it is with no where for drainage.

This building was torn down because it burnt to the ground. It looked AWFUL before when it just sat there. I actually think it's removal is much better looking than the eyesore that was there before.

Just my 2 cents

You have got to be kidding! Yeah, a once-nice double house was treated so badly that it finally burned down to be a muddy bunker of cars. We have on-street parking in this area now, so we don't need all these lots. Anyway these blocks of Federal have one multiple parking lot for every house lot where a house still survives. It is a shame to see how many of these houses were neglected or burned just to make way for another parking lot. In addition, whoever owns this and the other lot next door (and also FedRick Veals) leaves a mountain of snow for the neighbors to climb to walk down the sidewalk. While the cars are given cleared space our kids have to walk in the street to get home. Whoever owns this is not a neighbor, he/she is using a corner to fill their pockets and only compromises the safety and quality of life for those who have to walk down the street and look out on Jersey barriers. I'd rather look at the run-down Second-Empire house that was there than the ugly lot and barriers that now lie there. You are right that paving is a bad alternative because it just heats up the corner in the summer. But, as I understand, it is now being illegally used as a parking lot, so until the zoning is changed and proper permits allow this use and also proper landscaping for the lot, it is not an improvement. Its just sad, ugly, and unsafe.