The GBC's former executive vice president, Fry has represented Harford and Cecil counties in the Maryland General Assembly, serving on key fiscal committees in both houses.
He currently is chairman of the Vision 2030 Task Force, which is developing a long-range vision for transportation planning in the Baltimore region. Fry also served on the panel that developed the Baltimore Regional Rail Plan to develop more than 100 miles of rail mass transit during the next 30 years.
While enjoying downtown Atlanta last week before the University of Maryland's trouncing of the University of Tennessee in the Peach Bowl on New Year's Eve, Fry discussed the GBC's agenda for Annapolis and what's needed to improve the region's economy.
The GBC is involved in several projects that require state money -- the Hippodrome Theater downtown, biotechnology projects in East and West Baltimore, drug-treatment and other public safety programs. Do these projects have a chance getting money, given the state’s $1.8 billion budget deficit?
They do have significant dollar figures, but the Legislature is willing to invest in projects that have a good return.
You are going to have a good return in drug-treatment projects because they will help reduce crime and will help people with very serious addiction problems. The construction projects will create jobs, revitalize the city’s economy and bring new businesses into the region.
You also have to see what the new governor’s priorities will be. I think the governor-elect is committed to drug-treatment programs and increased support for public safety. He has expressed an interest in revitalizing older neighborhoods, which is planned for the West side of Baltimore. He also has a commitment is to developing biotechnology and life sciences -- and there’s no better place to expand than in East Baltimore, with the Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland Medical Systems.
What is the GBC’s position on slot machines at Maryland's racetracks?
We haven’t seen a proposal from the Legislature, so we would hold off on taking a formal position.
It is certainly a more palatable solution than an increase in income taxes or sales taxes. The state has worked very hard over the years to create a good business climate in Maryland. Increasing business taxes may not be the best way to boost the economy right now.
I think legislators are most likely to be inclined to support slots. How soon it can be done and how soon the revenues will be available -- that is where the battles will be.
From the GBC’s perspective, we’re going to have to look at that and determine whether the benefits from the increased revenues outweigh the social costs that some contend come with slots.
Can you balance a state's need for revenue from slots with such social issues as compulsive gambling, family destruction and alcoholism that have been linked to them?
You have to look at some of the studies that have been conducted and some of the historical, anecdotal information to see how realistic that all is. That’s something the legislature will have to weigh. We’re also going to have to take it under consideration at the GBC.
Many corporations still believe Maryland tax environment is not very friendly? Are the state’s corporate taxes too high?
It’s very difficult to examine and evaluate whether a state has a proper tax base. Some states have a higher sales tax, because that’s where they want to put their emphasis. Maryland has a low sales tax [five percent], but we don’t tax services. Delaware has no sales tax because of the companies that are incorporated there.
The reality is that we have to be competitive. We can’t have anything that takes us off the mark when people are looking at Maryland. We have to make sure that our regulatory system is fair and that the enforcement of that process is equitable.
What does Baltimore need to make it a top-tier city?
One thing Baltimore needs is to have people acknowledge the progress that has taken place in the city as of late. There is a renewed sense of hope and optimism. Even though the homicide rate is not what we would like, there has been significant improvements that have occurred over the past 10 years. We keep making progress.
We also have to finish all the projects we’ve started -- and don’t take any steps back.
How is that a danger?
In tough economic times, people naturally say "We can’t afford to do this" or "We can’t afford to do that." But the question is "Can you afford not to do anything?"
We still need to, at the very least, keep moving forward -- and showing that we are moving forward by helping these projects along.
A "new attitude" is good, but you do need something more to keep a city going -- a tax base, business development, people coming downtown ...?
I understand that, but those are things that are not going to develop overnight. You need to complete the projects that have been started and keep other things moving, like a regional transportation system, so you can bring people into the city.
The city did not lose its tax base overnight; it’s not going to gain it back overnight. It didn’t lose hundreds of thousands of people overnight; it’s not going to gain them back right away. But what you do need to show is continual improvement so people do come back.
These efforts fly in the face of "Homicide" and other television shows that spotlight Baltimore’s negatives, right?
It’s unfortunate that you have shows like this, but a lot of other good things have happened in recent years. You had the tremendous success of the Army-Navy Game [in 2000]. We received some great TV exposure as a result of that. When the Ravens won the Super Bowl [in 2001], you had coverage about how great the city is. The Baltimore-Washington bid for the 2012 Olympics -- and getting close to being one of the finalists -- was also good for the city.
Those things are causing people to look at Baltimore a second time -- and they’re not solely focusing on TV shows that have some reality and some fiction to them, as well.
There’s a proposal for a 750-room Hilton hotel near the Baltimore Convention Center downtown. What is the GBC doing to bring forth that project?
We are very pleased to see that effort underway. We will be working with the mayor, City Council and our legislative delegation to secure the monies necessary to make it happen.
What could the GBC do?
Help them to realize that getting the funding may require some changes in Annapolis relating to tax-incremental financing or other mechanisms. The city’s not going to have much money for this project, but what the city can do is help with tax incentives, or with something that can help the project along -- in permitting or inspections.
Is this project, and the notion that it has been proposed by outsiders, indicative of a new day in Baltimore?
It is clearly a sign that people are saying that Baltimore is an exciting place, that this is a place worth investing in -- and Baltimore is not turning its back, is not being so parochial -- saying "We don’t want anyone else."
Baltimore has been open to people from outside the city in the past, but this is a major investment. One of the partners [Robert L. Johnson, founder and owner of Black Entertainment Television] was recently awarded the NBA franchise in Charlotte, N.C. That indicates that this project has some people involved with real financial power who know how to get the job done.
If it is certainly not a new day, it is another brighter day in Baltimore.
The Inner Harbor is 25 years old. Basically, it’s old?
[Chuckle]. Well ... it’s seasoned. Let’s put it that way.
It certainly is still a jewel to Baltimore City. People are still attracted to the Inner Harbor, because of its uniqueness and because of what it has brought to the enjoyment of the city’s waterfront.
Now, do you need to make sure that it is keeping up with the times? Do you need to look at its mix of stores? Do you have to look at what’s there to make sure it can still attract people? Yes. And people are doing that.
The GBC has been looking at how to manage the Inner Harbor on a day-to-day basis: Is City Hall doing its best so that the Harbor is clean, so that it is attractive, so that you know who to go to if there is a problem? If somebody wants to start a new business, is the city interested in talking to them and working with them?
The Baltimore Development Corp. has hired a consultant to complete a master plan for the next 25 years.
Everyone realizes that the Inner Harbor has served us well, but they also know that it is time to look at it. I don’t think anyone’s resting on their laurels with respect to the success of the Inner Harbor.