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What's up on West Street?
By Carol Denny

The dust is settling on a handsome, $13 million renovation of inner West Street, and city officials promise that the new and improved avenue will be open by the start of Boat Show season this month.

For this timely feat, Annapolitans can share a round of applause-and a sigh of relief. Shops and restaurants along the street remained open during the six-month construction process, but cars were prohibited, and loyal customers and intrepid tourists had to brave the barriers on busy sidewalks. "People have really been great about it," said Jan Hardesty, Public Information Director for the city. She jokingly compares the experience to pregnancy: "Once it's over, you forget about how bad it was."

Now that the jackhammers have vanished, the reward is at hand: a smooth bricked surface that visually connects the first block of West Street to the Historic District to the south. The overhanging power lines have been buried, and street lamps have been reduced to a more modest scale. Benches, newly-planted trees and lush flower planters brighten the scene. All the elements of the streetscape have been selected to complement the pedestrian-friendly, small-town feel.

Best of all, the historic patina is genuine, according to Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer. "People come to Annapolis because they love the history," she says. "And West Street is very much a part of the history. It was the entrance, the first view that visitors had of the city."

Although the buildings and businesses of West Street have changed over the centuries, the look remains remarkably the same-and so does its character. The taverns and pubs that drew patrons in the colonial era are still here in abundance, and the street's reputation as the city's entertainment district is intact. Artisans like the colonial silversmiths and clock-makers who once lived along the street might find their modern-day counterparts in the galleries and music shops that line the block.

During construction, the city mounted an exhibit called "The Talking Walls of Historic West Street," which detailed the wealth of colonial history along the first block of the street. Many tidbits came from the diary of William Faris, who lived at 21-27 West and kept a kind of 18th-century blog of his affairs. (A tall case clock with a dial made by the very same Faris was just purchased by Historic Annapolis Foundation. It will go on display at HAF's new Compromise Street Visitors' Center later this year.)

Though the exhibit was temporary, the city hopes that some of the signs can be made permanent, so future visitors can appreciate the history. (Some sample did-you-knows: founding fathers James Monroe and Thomas Jefferson stayed here on the street, in the building now housing the Visitors Center, during the Continental Congress. And the city's first bank, Farmer's, and only church during colonial times, St. Anne's, still stand on Church Circle.) Beyond the first block, there's plenty more to explore along the new West Street. Already bustling are new emporiums for home accessories, gifts and garden essentials-Tin Can Allee (#63), Garden Architects (#115) and Southern Belle (#162). Further up the street, hip newcomers have taken up residence in West Village, a group of upscale shops including Astrid, Object, and Hudson & Foquet, a salon.

The West Village Partnership, which has given a whole new look to the upper part of the street, will add two new dining options in coming months: Lemongrass, a casual restaurant serving Thai food, and the high-end Metropolitan, a multi-level establishment with a wine/champagne bar and roof garden. Both are adjacent to the new Knighton Garage, a 267-vehicle lot opening November 5. West Street merchants plan to welcome the facility in festive style-one more celebration in the ongoing history of the street.

This Just In!
On October 30, don't miss a West Street Festival and Concert featuring a special guest artist. This event is sponsored by WRNR of Annapolis as part of a month-long celebration of its 10th anniversary. Check the What's Up? Annapolis website for details: www.whatsupmag.com, or listen to WRNR at 103.1 FM.

1.
Church Circle has a brand-new sidewalk, thanks to a $52,000 fund-raising effort headed by Mayor Ellen Moyer and First Lady Kendal Ehrlich. Their "Brick by Brick" campaign collected $25 per paver from community contributors, whose names are recorded in a time capsule on the grounds.

2.
It began in 1747 as a combination hattery and tavern, not the most promising of duos. But Reynolds Tavern has had many incarnations since; from 1936-1965, it was even the Annapolis public library. Now it's back to pleasing hungry (usually hatless) patrons.

3.
William Faris, a clockmaker, silversmith and all-around gadfly who lived at 21-27 West Street, kept a beautiful garden said to have inspired William Paca's. His lively diary documented Annapolis' colonial scene.

4.
Annapolis info from A-Z awaits at the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau. Founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe stayed on this very spot in 1784-you can visit, too, 9-5 daily.

5.
Rams Head was the site of many a business over the centuries-nearly all of them taverns. The earliest, "The Sign of the Green Tree," was reportedly a brothel as well. (Legend has it that the bed post embedded in the downstairs pub's ceiling had an amorous history-ask the bartender to show you.)

6.
Paul Reed Smith practiced his woodworking skills here while living in the Rams Head attic in the late '70s. They came in handy later, when he began crafting his world-famous guitars.

7.
Like darts? Sean Donlon's is the place. Next door is the First Sunday Farmer's market-stop by and shop October 3.

8.
18th century Annapolis was home to the first American theatre, Odd Fellows Hall, built on this site in 1752. Keeping up the tradition is Bay Theatre Company, Annapolis' newest, which begins its fall season across the street on October 8.

9.
The first horse race track in America was built in 1720, just outside the City Gates. Citizens from all over the colonies attended and placed bets, including race regular George Washington.

10.
Loews Annapolis Hotel is bringing back the Annapolis jazz scene popularized by the late, great Charlie Byrd. The '04-'05 Jazz at the Powerhouse series continues with a jazz jam on October 22-23.

11.
O happy day! No more slow cruising in hopes of finding a parking space. The brand-new Knighton Garage (enter on Colonial Avenue) opens November 5.

12.
Trendy new shops in West Village lure shoppers in search of fashion, home accessories and salon services. Two new restaurants are also under construction. Lemongrass will offer Thai cuisine; Metropolitan, upscale Euro-American.

13.
Coming attractions on West Street include Park Place, with retail, commercial, residential and parking space. Facing it on Westgate Circle will be Severn Bank's new headquarters.

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