May 2nd, 2022 by WCBC Radio

City officials voted last month to accept $6.3 million in state grant assistance for renovations to the downtown mall.  The funding is being issued through the Maryland State Highway Administration's Transportation Alternative Program to cover the reinstallation of Baltimore Street through the pedestrian mall. Baltimore Street extended through the downtown city center before the area was bricked over in 1977 to create a pedestrian mall. The funding represents a large portion of the project's estimated $10 million cost. In addition to installing Baltimore Street, the project includes replacing aging underground utility lines and creating a new streetscape that will include trees, shrubs and redesigned parklets. Mayor Ray Morriss remains hopeful the project will get underway later this year or early next. He acknowledges that the construction phase will present some challenges for those living and working downtown…