(Photograph courtesy of Gina Richmond)
By Tashi McQueenAFRO Workers Writertmcqueen@afro.com
Baltimore Collectively, town’s financial improvement technique, held a neighborhood bus tour on Could 13 to mark the primary anniversary of its West Baltimore impression space excursions.
Alice Kennedy, housing commissioner of the Baltimore Metropolis Division of Housing and Group Growth, led the tour by the neighborhoods of Penn-North, Druid Heights and Upton.
Kennedy highlighted the work being finished to revitalize the Parkview Recreation Middle and the way it’s anticipated to learn the group.
“That recreation middle is performing as and can act as a cornerstone for the group,” mentioned Kennedy. “That rec middle is one hundred pc funded by DHCD–the Division of Housing and Group Growth. It’s a $10 million rec middle venture, and we’re funding that with group improvement block grant cash that we have been in a position to put collectively over a few completely different years to have the ability to make that venture potential.”
The tour highlighted town’s efforts to deal with emptiness and broaden entry to inexpensive housing. Individuals visited a number of key websites, together with the Harriet Beecher Stowe College and the Upton Gateway, which was unveiled in 2024.
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The bus rode by blocks of long-vacant houses slated for full-block renovations, lots of which town is working to accumulate.
Kelly Little, a improvement marketing consultant for the Upton Planning Committee, praised the transformation of 1 block.
“I can bear in mind coming to this spot 20 years in the past and dealing with a improvement company and this block was a whole catastrophe,” mentioned Little. “Most likely 95 p.c of the properties weren’t simply vacant, there have been no roofs, no again partitions and timber in homes. To see what has occurred in consequence, and to see that, bodily, it’s lovely, is simply excellent.”
Little emphasised how the eagerness of the group members helps drive this renaissance.
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“The vitality that the householders on this block have delivered to the group can be very precious–whether or not it’s planning occasions or coming to the group conferences,” mentioned Little.
Little mentioned that new faces working with longtime advocates is essential to renewing the vitality of the neighborhood.
Jamesetta Howard, a Upton resident, expressed pleasure in the neighborhood’s progress.
“I may have retired wherever, however that is residence,” mentioned Howard, born and raised in Baltimore. “This neighborhood is an instance of the resiliency of Baltimoreans. We love our metropolis.”
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Howard mentioned she is worked up in regards to the wealthy historical past of the neighborhood and is glad to know that builders wish to keep it.
“I can look previous all of the boarded-up homes, and I can see the wealthy historical past,” mentioned Howard. “That’s precisely why I’m right here.”
The bus tour included the Upton Mansion, which has been acquired by Afro Charities and would be the new residence of the AFRO Archives and AFRO Information by late June 2026.
“This has been a key technique right here for this block, which helps to maneuver this property right into a productive use,” mentioned Kennedy.
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It additionally showcased redevelopment websites just like the P.S. 103 constructing, now the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Middle.
“The P.S. 103 constructing was a previously vacant city-owned constructing, and this constructing has now been lovingly reworked into the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Middle,” mentioned Kennedy. “Dr. Al Hathaway has been the champion and the steward of this venture for practically a decade now to make this a actuality.”
Kennedy mentioned the middle anchors Division Road, which is present process full revitalization, from sidewalks to buildings.
