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Everything but Olives: The New Growth of GreektownEverything but Olives: The New Growth of Greektown By Nonnie Lyketsos Often, when we think of Greece we think of the many varieties of mouthwatering Greek olives available, but olives are about the only things that are not growing in Greektown these days. Sure you can find olives in the many charming restaurants and family-owned shops that populate the area, but these tasty gems are still imported from the old country. Whats growing here in Baltimore is not from the ground, but out in the community. From streetscape to infrastructure, with big plans and small changes, through large committees and individual projects, development is everywhere. And just as spring ushers in a fresh breeze for the olive farmer, the feeling of new growth is all around. A number of people and projects are spearheading this new expansion, not the least of whom is Jason Filippou, the new executive director of the Greektown Community Development Corporation. Although he is quick to give credit to his worthy mentor, founder and CEO Lt. Col. John E. Gavrilis, Filippou brings a youth and enthusiasm to the job that is further enhanced by his familiarity with technology, popular culture, and the Greek community itself. These interests combine to make him the perfect person to initiate new projects, as well as continue the projects already begun. "I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to work in an up and coming community that has such a rich history and culture,” Filippou says. “Its been the home to many successful professionals ranging from pioneering business leaders to high ranking government officials who now help guide our mission." A number of community improvements have already been made. One only needs to drive down Eastern Avenue to see them. First, a gifted artist named Michael Owens has been selected to paint a huge mural along the underpass wall upon entrance to the area. When finished, it will be the largest wall mural in Baltimore. To the left the mural will represent many cultures, but as one progresses to the right and into Greektown, it will advance into a Greek theme and serve as an impressive introduction to visitors entering the area. The streetscape further up eastern Avenue has been enhanced through a state and city funded restoration. It boasts new decorative guardrails, new sidewalks and paved streets, new street corners embellished with the Greek key, and Old World pedestrian lighting. Several undesirable businesses have been replaced with welcome additions such as a law office and a bakery, both Greek owned. Neighborhood cleanliness has seen a big improvement thanks to the efforts of the CDCs Sanitation Committee. And although this area already had one of the lowest crime rates in Baltimore city, crime has been further deterred through the Public Safety Program and a strong relationship with the Southeastern district police. The numbers just keep getting better. The Greektown CDC website is also in the process of being updated. It is being designed by Filippous brother, Chris Filippou, and will boast an attractive layout that is easy to maneuver. Do you want to find out about the CDC? Click here. Great Greek restaurants? Click here, and often get a profile of the owner to boot. The Greek Orthodox Church? Click. Shops? Click. Arts, events, and future plans? Click, click, and click. It will all be there at your fingertips, and in this era of high tech, an attractive presence on the web is vitally important. At the heart of the CDCs operations is its Board of Directors. With local luminaries such as George Moniodis, Greg Schaffer and Aris Melissaratos (please see the end of the article for a complete list) the Board is a strong and effective think tank for growth. Members convene approximately once a month to discuss progress, challenges, ideas and enhancements for the area. And although the organization was formed to primarily augment the Greek community, the board remains true to ancient Greek ideals by including everyone in the area. This is best demonstrated by the recent formation of a Latino Affairs Committee which reaches out to the Spanish speaking population in town. Other committees include the Planning Committee, which focuses on civic development, the Housing Committee, which aims to bring attractive and affordable housing to the community, and the Sanitation Committee, which continues the progress already made in improving the quality of the environment. A fifth committee, John Ruhrah Affairs, works with the local elementary school to provide children with the building blocks they need to succeed in todays world. Completed projects include a program that brought local leaders into the classrooms to read to the students. Filippou is pleased with its success as well as with the progress of all the committees. “We have strong committee heads with a good dynamic,” says Filippou. “The board has significant expertise and weve been lucky to attract excellent leadership.” According to Filippou, however, all of this is just the beginning for Greektown. He also seeks to enhance the arts community, support a number of civic projects, and bring more young people into the discussion. Some of these goals overlap as well. In the Crown Cork and Seal Building, for instance, there are a number of working artists who are unknown to most of the population. As the area was declared an Arts and Entertainment district in 2003, Filippou is looking for ways to promote the artists and the district. “How can we take advantage of it?” he wonders. Can there be more galleries, art shows and events? Turning to the Baltimore Office for the Promotion of the Arts, he said to consider the area a blank canvas, ready for the strokes of creativity to help it flourish. Pleased with the opportunity and the enthusiasm, BOPA is on board and eager to help. A task force for the arts is now underway. Civic projects are followed very carefully in Greektown to maintain the warmth of the neighborhood. The construction of a Wal-Mart was successfully fought, while the building of a new police station is currently in the works across from Bayview Medical Center. It will not only add an additional measure of safety and security to the area, but it is also planned to be an environmentally “green building which will serve as a benchmark to the community. Leaders are working to relocate an MTA bus depot in the center of Greektown to another location to make room for a Greek themed community center. Sponsored by St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Ponca Street, the Plateia Project as it is known, is receiving widespread support by the CDC and the larger public as well. Once finished the center will be able to host wedding parties, baptism celebrations, art shows and any number of additional events within its Grecian columns. Filippou and the Greektown CDC have worked hard to bring positive and lasting changes to Highlandtown and it shows. With so many exciting projects still in the works its easy to see why optimism runs so high in the community for continued growth. “I see myself as having two goals” says Filippou, “to let people know about what were doing, and to bring resources into the community to help it continue.” With the energy and enthusiasm thats fueling the process, its no doubt that major endowments will continue to flow in, while the joy of successful community expansion continues to grow. Greektown is about to have it all, including the olives. Sidebars: Learn more about the Greektown Community Development Center at www.Greektownmd.org. Come, be a part of the growth by contacting Jason Filippou at 410-327-3306. You dont have to be Greek to be a part of the growth of Greektown! Greektown Community Development Corporation Board of Directors: George Moniodis, President Greg Schaffer, First Vice President Nick Georgalas, Second Vice President Deno S. Yenias, Secretary Ernie Rafailides, Treasurer Helen Johns, Vice President Emeritus John P. Angelos Michael G. Athas Councilman James B. Kraft Aris Melissaratos Stelios Spiliadis, Past President
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