What happened at the Liquor Board on March 26, 2015.

Chairman Ward asked where the patrons will park. The applicants responded that there are 36 spaces on the property, and they have entered into an agreement to use spaces in the city-owned parking garage across the street from the hotel.

Ms. Hecker proffered that the building was originally occupied by Baltimore’s first YMCA. It will have 162 guest rooms, as well as meeting and banquet space, a restaurant and bar. Hotel Indigo is a boutique line of hotels in the InterContinental Hotel brand. It will have a club-like feel. The hotel will open in May 2015 and will serve alcoholic beverages throughout the building. The bar will be open until 1:45am, but the kitchen will close at 10 or 11pm. The project will cost around $20 million, total, and $5 million has been spent already. They will offer live entertainment, mostly for private events, like weddings. The applicant submitted many letters of support from community and other organizations and from Councilman Eric Costello.

Chairman Ward noted that he founded the Mount Vernon Belvedere Association, in order to defeat an urban renewal plan that would have eliminated many historic buildings in that neighborhood. Commissioner Moore said that she approves of Mr. Curtis’s hiring as general manager, though she is Facebook friends with Curtis, and they have differing views on many things.

Commissioner Moore noted that she can’t read the names of the people who signed the character witness section of the application. Shaulis responded that the first signature is his, and he named the second two. Shaulis had to provide a replacement character witness, because one of the three on the original application was not actually registered to vote.

Commissioner Moore asked for a description of the restaurant. Schrecengost replied that the restaurant is “fast casual,” which means ordering from a paper menu at a cashier, then taking a seat and having food brought out to customers. Moore said that she was asking because, in Baltimore City, fast food restaurants are not eligible to hold liquor licenses. Costello elaborated that the only similarity between fast food and fast casual is ordering at a cashier. The food is provided on plates with stainless steel cutlery and trays. The food is cooked to order, and employees check in on tables. There is no drive-through, but they do carryout.

Violation of Rule 4.18: Illegal Conduct – February 24, 2015 – At approximately 12:02 am the Baltimore Police Department responded to the establishment known as “Five Seasons,” which is located at 828‐830 Guilford Avenue, for a report of an aggravated assault. When the officer arrived at the scene he found a victim lying by the bar that appeared bloodied and injured. The police officer was able to obtain the victim’s identification. The victim stated that he had gotten into a physical altercation with another patron at the bar and was stabbed during the altercation. When medical personnel arrived at the scene they removed the victim’s shirt and the officer observed two puncture wounds to the victim’s back and a laceration in the back of the victim’s head. Medical personnel transported the victim to Johns Hopkins Hospital where he was pronounced dead at approximately 1:17am.

Violation of Rule 3.02: Cooperation ‐ February 24, 2015 – At approximately 12:02 am the Baltimore Police Department responded to the establishment known as “Five Seasons,” which is located at 828‐830 Guilford Avenue, for a report of an aggravated assault. When the officer arrived at the scene he found a victim lying by the bar that appeared bloodied and injured. After surveying the scene, the police officer determined this was a serious incident and that the District Detective Unit should be contacted to investigate this matter. As per protocol, the officer began to secure the scene so as to maintain evidence. At this time the licensee and the licensee’s son started cleaning the crime scene and tainting evidence. At this time the officer told the licensee and his son to cease and desist, but they continued. The officer had to tell the licensee and his son several times to stop cleaning the crime scene before they stopped.

The Board postponed the case.