LOTS ALIVE | Spring 2016

LOTS ALIVE | Spring 2016
a grant program of the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts and
the Baltimore Office of Sustainability’s Growing Green Initiative
NEIGHBORHOOD LOTS & PROFILES
Broadway East
Coldstream Homestead Montebello
Druid Heights
Park Heights
Upton
Please be advised that the availability potential sites listed in this document is subject to
change. Potential partners listed have been suggested by the community liaisons for
each neighborhood for informational purposes only. The information enclosed is not
meant to be exhaustive nor are applicants required to enter into partnerships with any
of the organizations listed as a prerequisite for consideration for this grant program.
Potential
Vacant Lots
Broadway East
2138-2144 Federal St
1801-1823 N Gay St
1701 N Washington St
1501-1555 N Gay St
1500-1548 N Gay St
1500-1532 & 1501-1521 N
Madeira St
1600-1626 N Durham St
1402-1446 N Gay St
2000 E Lafayette Ave
Potential
Partners
New Broadway East Association, Neighborhood Schools, Humanim, the Club at Collington
Square, and Local Churches
History &
Description
New Broadway East was first established in early 2000 as the Washington Wolf Community
Association. The neighborhood includes two community gardens (Duncan Street Miracle
Garden, Mura Street Garden), Collington Square Park, Collington Square Elementary
School, the Club at Collington Square, a Head Start Center, the American Brewery Building
(recently renovated and occupied by Humanim) as well as several faith-based
organizations including Israel Baptist Church, Trinity AME Church, Triumph Christian Church,
Greater St John Full Gospel Church, Winning Grace International Church, Southern Baptist
Church, St Joseph’s Freewill Baptist Church, Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, and Mt. Airy
Pentacostal.
Geographic
&
Demographic
Information
Zip Code: 21213
Population: 9,874 (BNIA 2014)
96.3% African American
Project Goals
& Aspirations
The New Broadway East Association hopes to improve each lot in our
footprint with the beautification of trees, walkways and fencing. This will help
to engage our seniors in the two Senior Building in our community and
create space for all our residents to enjoy, movie nights, family gatherings
and community events.
Coldstream Homestead Montebello | liveinchum.org
Potential
Vacant Lots
31st Street & Hillen
2798 The Alameda
1450 Homestead St
Potential
Partners
Coldstream Homestead Montebello Community Corporation, Healthy Neighborhoods, Civic
Works, Morgan State University, Melnick/Newell
History &
Description
Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello (CHM) community listed on the National Register of
Historic Places as the Coldstream Homestead Montebello Historic District is recognized for the
development of a more suburban style of row houses. The neighborhood captures its name
from the nineteenth century grandeur of Baltimore's historic elaborate estates of Johns
Hopkins, William Patterson, Horace Abbott, General Sam Smith and other notable figures.
Residents of CHM actively work to better their neighborhood through the ColdstreamHomestead-Montebello Community Corporation which provides a wide array of community
services; these include strategic neighborhood planning, beautification and redevelopment
of public green spaces, public safety initiatives, after school and youth activities, special trash
and community clean-ups, property analysis, referral and employment services, code
inspection program, senior services, public meetings and workshops, and home repair
services.
Geographic
&
Demographic
Information
The Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello community is located in the northeastern section
of Baltimore City, and is bounded by Harford Road on the east; Loch Raven Boulevard on the
west; 25th Street on the south; and 32nd and 33rd Street on the north and includes Baltimore's
scenic Lake Montebello.
Currently CHM is experiencing a transformation and a shift in demographics. Once long term
pockets of poverty and blight are being addressed. The Tivoly Triangle Project has eliminated
100 blighted units from the community while responsibly relocating residents from that
challenged area.
This community of close to 9000 residents is also becoming more racially diverse (going from
99% low to moderate income African Americans in 2010 to 94.6% in 2015) witnessing an influx
of higher income young professionals.
Housing data reflects that housing prices are trending upwards. The average sale price of
homes on our Healthy Neighborhoods target blocks for 2014 was $40,358.00, up 3.5% from the
previous year. Of the 30 homes sold on target blocks in 2014, 19 or 63% were purchased by
owner occupants. This continues the trend of increased homeownership rates in the area.
Project Goals
& Aspirations
We feel this project will further advance the rich history, architectural beauty and idyllic setting
of Coldstream Homestead Montebello. Incorporating the voice of community residents and
stakeholders in a way and manner that values their contributions in shaping an artistic vision
that creates a positive perception of CHM outside of the community and instills pride in
residents.
Druid Heights | druidheights.com
Potential
Vacant Lots
2117-2119 Druid Hill Ave
Potential
Partners
Druid Heights CDC, The Druid Heights Green Thumb Club, New Life Recovery Program
History &
Description
Druid Heights CDC is a non-profit 501 C 3 organization established in March of 1974. The
organization has utilized a holistic approach to community revitalization that addresses the
rehabilitation of human resources as well as housing. Our mission is to cause, encourage and
promote community self-empowerment through the development of economic, educational,
employment and affordable housing opportunities.
Geographic
&
Demographic
Information
Using the Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance (BNIA) Vital Signs Neighborhood map, as
a resource, Druid Heights is located in Area 53 in zip code 21217. Area 53 consists of 114,404
people of which 53% are female and 49% are males, with a median age of 35.4. The
population consists of 95% African American, 2% Caucasian, 1.5 are Hispanic, 1% are of mixed
race and .5% are Korean. The average household income is $14,487 with 69% of the
community earning $0 - $25,000 annually.
Project Goals
& Aspirations
The goal of the project is to place a decorative fence around the property located at 2117 –
2119 Druid Hill Avenue. This will bring hope to the Druid Heights community by providing
resources to the community’s Green Thumb Club. The club consists of thirty-five community
residents who are strategizing ways to improve the physical conditions of the neighborhood.
They will join the New Life Recovery program (a residential recovery house of 30 men residing
in the community) to provide maintenance and continued care of the vacant lot. Once a
new fence is placed on the lot, the community will be able to host block parties and other
celebrations at the location.
Fencing will address the trash dumping issue and the lack of creative space that can be used
by the community.
Park Heights | phrmd.org
Potential
Vacant Lots
4700 Park Heights Ave (Demolition in progress, scheduled for completion June 2016)
For a full map of the redevelopment area, click here.
Potential
Partners
Park Heights Renaissance, Neighborhoods United, City of Baltimore, Baltimore City Public
Schools
History &
Description
Park Heights lies approximately 10 miles northwest of downtown Baltimore and within two
miles of the Baltimore County line. A 1,500-acre community, Park Heights comprises many
smaller neighborhoods that together contain approximately 30,000 residents. It is bounded
on the south by Druid Park Drive, on the west by Wabash Avenue, on the east by
Greenspring Avenue, and on the north by Northern Parkway. Interstate-83 is less than a half
mile to the east. Two major roadways—Park Heights Avenue and Reisterstown Road—run
north-south through Park Heights, serving as the neighborhood’s “Main Streets” as well as
commuter corridors. Limited commercial uses—primarily retail—are scattered along these
roads; there is also some industrial activity on the neighborhood’s western edge. Otherwise,
Park Heights is characterized by residential uses, which run the spectrum from stable, welltended streets to entire blocks of abandoned houses and lots. Major health care,
educational, and social service institutions are located throughout the community, as well
as one of Baltimore and the State of Maryland’s most well-known landmarks, Pimlico
Racetrack. (Park Heights Master Plan, 2008 – to view full plan, click here.)
Geographic &
Demographic
Information
Project Goals
& Aspirations
Zip Code: 21215
29,000 residents
Park Heights is looking to engage neighborhoods in the immediate vicinity of
schools.
Upton | historicupton.com
Potential
Vacant Lots
1201-1205 Myrtle Ave
1101 Argyle Ave
861-871 Harlem Ave
837-841 N Fremont /
723 W Lafayette
700-714 w Lafayette
1407-1419 Argyle
647 W Lafayette
611 Dolphin
1147 Argyle Ave
Potential
Partners
Upton Planning Committee, Jubilee Arts, Avenue Bears Football League, Churches, Other
Faith-based Organizations, Community Schools, University of Maryland, Higher Education
Partners, Druid Heights CDC, Penn North, Harlem Park, Historic Lafayette Square, SandtownWinchester, Upton Youth Food and Nutrition Ambassadors, MTA (Upton Metro Station),
Baltimore Public Markets (Avenue Market)
History &
Description
Upton is one of Baltimore’s historic neighborhoods and enjoys a reputation as one of the
nation’s premiere centers of African American history and culture. Beginning after World
War I, Upton was home to Baltimore’s growing African American middle class, many of
whom continue to have long-standing ties to the community and plan an active role in its
political, social and cultural institutions. Upton can claim numerous local and national
“firsts,” many of which were born out of racial and discriminatory policies and
attitudes. Although separated and excluded by race, it was these patterns and
practices that enabled the community to create its place in history.
The Civil War through World War I marked the urbanization of Upton. Investors built the
majority of three-story homes along Druid Hill Avenue and McCulloh Street, which were
intended to attract wealthy residents. Many of Upton’s churches were built during the
1870’s and reflect the community’s growth and prosperity. This era also marked
beginning of a strong African American community presence in Upton, many having
moved to the area from the South to Baltimore.
Upton’s distinction as the “Harlem of Baltimore” was earned between World War I and
World War II. Professionals purchased homes along Druid Hill Avenue, while Pennsylvania
Avenue became the community’s commercial and cultural district. By 1917, a majority of
the city’s black property owners and most of its African American teachers, clergy,
government workers and shopkeepers made Upton their home.
The Upton Planning Committee, (UPC) Inc. proposes to manage the Historic Pennsylvania
Avenue Main Street Program. The Upton Planning Committee, Inc. (UPC) for more than 40
years has been a leading community organization in central Baltimore City, Maryland. The
UPC is a non-profit organization managed by a Board of Directors, made up of presidents
of Upton community associations and residents. The day-to-day operations are managed
by an Executive Director. This community organization was founded by citizens of the
Upton community with a purpose of trying to halt and reverse the decline in quality of life
that many urban neighborhoods faced in recent years. The problems include a great deal
of deteriorating and vacant/abandoned properties which were causing and influx of illegal
dumping, rodent infestations, and an increase in crime in the neighborhood. In the
beginning, the organization focused on three key issues, education, housing, economic
and business development. As the community began to see effects of stabilization in the
late 1980s and early 1990s the organization was able to expand the efforts in addressing
the three primary issues by organizing volunteer efforts. These newer efforts included
community-wide cleanups, beautification efforts, expanded crime watch programs, and
continued work with city agencies and officials.
Geographic &
Demographic
Information
Zip Code: 21217
Population: 10,342
92.4% African American
Project Goals
& Aspirations
Upton Planning Committee would like to see a project that focuses on Upton’s legacy,
linking the past with the future.
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Major area of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement
Famous Individuals are Associated or Lived in Upton, such as, Chief Justice
Thurgood Marshall, Cab Calloway, Eubie Blake, Parren J. Mitchell, Carmelo
Anthony, Billie Holiday, Tupac, Jada Pickett – Smith and numerous others, young
and old.
Some of the oldest faith-based institutions in the country
Major site for black entertainment “Chitlin Circuit”