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QUARTERLY UPDATE VOLUME II - Issue 2
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None of us could have imagined how much our world would change in the three months since I sent our last quarterly update. I’m sure, like all of us, you’ve been monitoring updates and following the City’s response. Our Mayor is working closely with our Health Commissioner and other public health officials to disseminate information and updates are available on the City's Coronavirus website. While DHCD has adjusted its services accordingly, we’ve also worked to ensure that essential functions can continue to operate safely during this time. Learn more about DHCD’s current operations and actions.
I want to share the progress we've made with our partners in community development before we shifted to our COVID-19 response. This work will continue to move forward. Highlights for the last several months include:
- We opened the year in Johnston Square, kicking off a new city/community partnership to implement a neighborhood-driven master plan and address over 700 blighted properties. (Story below.)
- In mid-January, a DHCD/UPD concept won Fannie Mae funding. The concept is advancing the idea of a school-based affordable housing program to break the cycle of school disruptions for children facing homelessness.
- In late January, we reached a Spending Plan agreement with the Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) Commission. For Fiscal Year 20, this means an estimated $17 million is slated to support quality affordable housing through Community Land Trust (CLT) initiatives, new construction, rental preservation, senior homeownership repairs, rent supplements, and Choice Neighborhoods.
- In February, we were in Upton and awarded development rights for the historic Henry Highland Garnet School (where Thurgood Marshall attended) to the Beloved Community Services Corporation - associated with Union Baptist Church. (Story below.)
- A week later, we were again in Upton, this time awarding the long-abandoned Upton Mansion to the AFRO American Newspapers. They will restore the historic mansion as the new home of the AFRO. (Story below.)
We plan to continue our approach of investing in community-based organizations and projects, arguably even more important now, and expect to release applications for a new round of Community Catalyst Grants (CCG) in the coming weeks. Last year's CCG awards are on pace to leverage over $52 million in development in Baltimore's neighborhoods. To help guide our proposed AHTF investments, we've issued a Professional Services Request for Proposals for a Community Land Trust Consultant as community land trusts will be a central part of Baltimore City's AHTF efforts.
It is clear that as we move forward, the COVID-19 emergency will present us with ongoing challenges to overcome. However, please know that we’ll continue to be collaborative, innovative, resilient, and resolute in working to address these challenges. Most importantly, in working together, I believe we will continue to make significant progress. We have a great team at DHCD and great partners throughout the city and state. I look forward to sharing with you additional updates on our collective efforts.
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Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young helps demolish the final three homes in the 1100 block of Brentwood Avenue to make way for Johnston Square Field.
DHCD and Johnston Square Partners, LLC, signed a ground-breaking Land Disposition Agreement (LDA) that will convey more than 700 blighted and abandoned properties for development.
Over the past decade, DHCD acquired 142 properties and cleared nearly 10 acres - for a total investment of more than $5 million.
The LDA with JS Partners features a 10-year pilot project to transform the East Baltimore neighborhood. In addition to affordable housing, the community master plan includes the development of the Sieck Florist site, a new Park and Play Field site, a revisioning of the Greenmount commercial corridors, and a new, four-acre park that represents a shared vision between the neighborhood and St. Frances Academy.
JS Partners ― composed of several community organizations and institutions ― includes Rebuild Johnston Square Neighborhood Organization, ReBuild Metro, St. Frances Academy, Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD), and the Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation (BARCO). Learn more.
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Major Development Awards
Addressing Blight in Historic Upton
Councilman Eric Costello and Commissioner Michael Braverman with Beloved Community Services Corporation.
In February, Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young announced the developers selected to redevelop two important, long blighted buildings in the Historic Upton community - PS103 (the former Henry Highland Garnet School where Thurgood Marshall attended) and the elegant Upton Mansion. Both properties went through DHCD's Request for Proposals process with strong community support.
Beloved Community Services Corporation will invest an estimated $6.1 million, and will use 1315 Division Street (PS 103) for office space and to house The Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. Center for Education, Justice and Ethics. The Afro Charities, Inc. will invest an estimated $7 million to rehabilitate the Historic Upton Mansion at 811 W. Lanvale Street, to serve as the new home of The AFRO American Newspapers and additional office space for other organizations and institutions.
With State help, the City previously stabilized these historic structures and with strong State support, and in partnership with the Upton community and other development partners, is now reinvesting in the surrounding area, which includes beautifully renovating the vacant homes in the 700 block of Dolphin Street, 1300 block of Division Street, and in the 800 blocks of Harlem and Edmondson Avenues for new homeownership opportunities.
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City, State, and Community Partnership Drives Revitalization Efforts in Druid Heights
Mayor Bernard C. "Jack" Young and City and State officials celebrate a ribbon cutting with Druid Heights Community Development Corporation.
Community development activity continues to advance in Druid Heights as well.
There are modern, affordable, new construction town homes on Robert and Division Streets; beautiful renovations for homeownership in the 1900 block of Etting Street; and newly stabilized vacant row homes that are now ready for rehabilitation on the east side of the 2200 block of Druid Hill Avenue.
In March, the Mayor and City and State officials joined Druid Heights Community Development Corporation to cut the ribbon on six brand-new homes in the Bakers View development. The new townhomes are part of Phase II of the four-phase affordable home ownership project, which include the development of up to 21 newly constructed townhouses. Upon completion of all phases, Bakers View will feature 87 affordable townhouses and will overlook a new public square that will sit on 2.7 acres of green space.
DHCD provided $1.1 million in bond funds to the Bakers View project, which is part of a larger effort to revive the Pennsylvania Avenue Corridor. Additionally, the project received $400,000 in State Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative (BRNI) Funds and $250,000 in additional State funds. Druid Heights CDC also received funds from Project CORE for their stabilization work on Druid Hill Avenue.
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Redevelopment of Major Industrial Sites
Fuels Transformational Growth
Commissioner Michael Braverman and Secretary Kenneth Holt help cut the ribbon on a rehabbed home in the 2200 block of Henneman Avenue.
As renovations proceed on major anchor projects like the Hoen Lithograph building and the Baltimore Food Hub, residential demand is accelerating nearby, leveraging transformational investment within the City’s East Impact Investment Area.
Thanks to a City and State partnership, key public investments, and community-supported private investments, construction and rehabilitation are now happening on the long blighted 2200 blocks of Henneman Avenue and Prentiss Place.
Last year, DHCD awarded 18 blighted properties to the Housing Development and Neighborhood Preservation Corporation, and the City and State both provided capital support to ensure that the properties are rehabilitated for homeownership.
Phase I of this project, which consists of the rehabilitation of 2212, 2216, 2218, and 2020 Henneman Avenue, is near completion with several houses already under contract. Phase II ― expected to begin later this year ― includes the rehabilitation of 2200, 2226, 2228, and 2232 Henneman Avenue. Redevelopment plans are also underway for the 2200 block of Prentiss Place, including converting some of the land into parking for the Hoen Lithograph Building.
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Consistent with the State of Emergency declared by Governor Hogan and Mayor Young and the associated guidelines, DHCD made multiple adjustments to our operations.
With schools closing, we immediately activated our Emergency Summer Food Program to provide meals to youths 18 and under. Daily, we deliver to 42 recreation centers; operate five mobile meal routes, with 24 stops; providing close to 30,000 meals per day to support food-insecure residents.
To protect the health and safety of our team and the citizens, the Agency suspended in-person services for both permits and plans review (construction/building permits) and for licensing and registration (property, contractors, and alarms). Construction inspections continue, with some modifications, and occupied interior inspections are happening on a case-by-case basis. Many services remain available online at DHCD’s website.
Per the Governor's Executive Order, licenses, permits, and registrations that have expired since March 5, have been extended until 30 days after the Maryland's State of Emergency is lifted. DHCD-issued rental licenses and permits expire on various dates, based on the date of issuance. As a result, any such licenses and permits have automatically received the post state-of-emergency 30-day extension, per the Executive Order.
Additionally, trade licenses and property registrations all expire at the end of the calendar year (December 31), and may not be impacted. However, you can remain current by using the DHCD online portal to generate renewals.
Learn more about DHCD’s current operations and actions.
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