The Southwest Partnership Vision Plan
The
leaders of the seven neighborhoods that became the Southwest Partnership gathered
in February of 2012 over concern about a large methadone clinic that had opened
in the Mt. Clare Junction Shopping Center.
Determined to work together in order to show a shared vision that
included the many assets in the area and have more clout, the leaders began
monthly planning meetings. The
neighborhoods are Barre Circle, Franklin Square, Hollins Roundhouse, Mt. Clare,
Pigtown, Poppleton, and Union Square.
 From the beginning it was clear that the University’s three entities—UMB, UMMS (the medical system), and the BioPark—had significant impacts in the neighborhoods, and that these institutions needed to partner with the community organizations in order for any plan to be implemented successfully.
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 At the same time that the neighborhood leaders banded together to form the Southwest Partnership (SWP), Wexford, the developer of the BioPark, hired consultants to determine how they could be more involved in the future of the surrounding neighborhoods. The three UMB institutions, along with the BioPark developer Wexford, Bon Secours, and the B&O Railroad museum, began to attend the monthly SWP meetings, eventually committing to be partners in the plan creation and implementation.
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A series of community meetings and workshops were held that engaged hundreds of stakeholders in the planning process. Five committees were established that continue to meet monthly. The vision plan they developed seeks to balance the desire for redevelopment while retaining housing opportunities for existing residents, and improving quality of life for current and future residents.
The
plan promotes redevelopment of W. Baltimore Street and the Hollins Market. It also focuses on “The Squares,” education and workforce development, safe and vibrant
 streets, and preservation and promotion. Once the plan was completed with beautiful graphics by Gensler architects, it was adopted by the Planning Commission on September 17, 2015.
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In
the summer of 2015, Southwest Partnership was able to hire a director and an
assistant. The vision plan will serve as
the guide as the SWP moves forward in revitalizing this part of West and
Southwest Baltimore. The website is
www.southwestpartnershipbaltimore.org.
Click here to view the Southwest Partnership Vision Plan.
The Southwest Partnership has adopted an official song written by Planning Department's own Brent Flickinger. Click here to view the lyrics to “Our Sowebo Song”. |
