Transition: An Older American's Next Chapter

Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month, a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults.

It’s also an appropriate time to announce my retirement as your Planning Director. I have been incredibly lucky to lead this Department when it worked with DHCD and the Mayor’s team to roll out the Community Development Framework and Mayor’s Neighborhood Sub-Cabinet, the Sustainability Sub-Cabinet, and the incredible response to the pandemic by our food security team.

In 2025, we will face new challenges and a new administration in Washington that is already rolling back major accomplishments in violence prevention, health disparities, and urban transportation.

The Scott Administration is beginning its second term – the first Mayoral second term in twenty years, with more experience, but no less enthusiasm, than its first term. Its accomplishments will attract a new planning director of national caliber, and I will assist with that process to the best of my ability.

Those of you who know me over the years know of my passion for community development – the ongoing impact residents, with the help of planners – have on the quality of life issues that affect neighborhoods every day.

It is exciting to THIS older American to see the next generation take up that work. I do not doubt that it will be as inspiring, and as gratifying, for them as it has been for me.

Assuming a replacement can be identified this summer, I hope to stay until the transition. In the meantime, keep those phone calls and emails coming!

Chris Ryer, Director
City of Baltimore Department of Planning

Big thanks to all the Govans students and neighbors who helped finish up the pedestrian mural on Saturday, April 26th at the York Road Colorwave Festival and Plant Sale hosted in partnership by the York Road Business Improvement District, Healthy Neighborhoods, and Baltimore Heritage. Lortz Lane will occasionally close to host community sponsored events and site activation, adding to the number of community gathering sites where both sides of the York Road corridor can gather for connection, one of the main intentions of the project from the beginning. 

Work towards the Govans Elementary School INSPIRE Plan started in 2018, prior to the reconstruction of the new 21st Century School. In early conversations, connection across the often-disparate sides of York Road quickly surfaced as a priority. One of the major assets in the community and a well-loved resource for students and neighbors alike is the Govans branch of the Enoch Pratt Library. Through ongoing conversations both prior to and reengagement after the pandemic during the INSPIRE process, Lortz Lane was highlighted as a pedestrian route to connect the school to the library and work towards increasing safety for students and community members traveling along this route became a recommendation of the plan.

Initial designs suggested shutting down Lortz Lane to have only pedestrian traffic. After additional community engagement, the designs changed to allow for dedicated pathways for both pedestrian and a narrower lane for car traffic. An additional partnership with Loyola University and Graham Projects to implement a bright street mural was supported through a federal earmark grant from Senator Chris Van Hollen. For almost two years, representatives from Govans Elementary, York Road Partnership, the 4th District Council Office, Loyola University, York Road Business Improvement District, Department of Transportation, and Department of Planning worked towards planning and implementation of this project. Input from the two adjacent restaurants, Heritage Smokehouse and Nailah's, and Govans Elementary helped create the design by Graham Projects for a bright, colorful "colorwave" mural that symbolizes the audio representation of "Lortz Lane, Govans."

The 15^th cohort of Planning Academy launched on May 7^th, with a group of over 30 eager Baltimore residents. During our first session, we discussed the impacts of systemic racism on development in the City, dating back to the City’s founding. This being the first topic is critical, as it lays the foundation for all other sessions and content. It also creates the opportunity to have hard conversations with the residents we serve. In the weeks to come, we look forward to engaging discussions about zoning, land use, city budgets, and community planning. Upon completing the six-week program, this cohort will join a network of over 400 alumni from across the City. If you’re interested in participating in this program, keep an eye out for our application for the upcoming Fall 2025 cohort.

The Food Policy and Planning team has a few updates for the B'More Fresh initiative regarding delivery fee coverage and the team's event outreach efforts. B'More Fresh is an Online SNAP program led by the Department of Planning's Food Policy and Planning Division. It helps Baltimore City SNAP recipients access fresh produce by providing $30 in monthly fruit and vegetable vouchers and free delivery on eligible items. Visit our website for more information or contact us at bmorefresh@baltimorecity.gov.

DELIVERY IS NOW COVERED FOR B'MORE FRESH ONLINE ORDERS from Amazon. Participants can now earn a $20 delivery promotion coupon by purchasing $5 worth of SNAP/EBT eligible items with their SNAP/EBT funds. The delivery funds will be automatically applied towards the delivery fee of all B'More Fresh eligible items. 

For Safeway, participants can now receive one free delivery each month. The delivery coupon can be found in the U Deals section of a Safeway loyalty account. To qualify, participants must live in Baltimore City and purchase at least $5 worth of SNAP/EBT-eligible items. 

Offering free delivery was born out of the Resident Food Equity Advisors 2024 cohorts' suggestion to eliminate delivery fees. We hope that covering delivery fees with both Safeway and Amazon will make the program more accessible to Baltimore City residents who have SNAP benefits and are shopping online. Please click here for more details on delivery fee coverage and to learn more about how the program works. 

B'MORE FRESH COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EVENTS UPDATE

The B'More Fresh team has been conducting trainings, distributing flyers, and tabling at community events to promote Online SNAP and B'More Fresh. We have worked with Department of Planning (DOP) staff, SNAP community-based organizations (CBOs), City agencies, senior centers, and food distribution sites. to help spread the word. If you are interested in partnering with us, and/or would like to schedule an Online SNAP and B'More Fresh training, please email the B'More Fresh team at bmorefresh@baltimorecity.gov. 

Here are some events where B'More Fresh will be present:

• Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC): So Fresh and So Green - Friday, May 16, 10am - 3pm
• Bon Secours: Swing Into Spring - Saturday, May 17, 12pm - 4pm
• Pratt Free Market: Pantry on the Go! - Friday, May 23, 10am until supplies last.
• Great Kids Farm: Farm Family Hours - Thursday, June 26, 10am - 2pm

For additional information on B'More Fresh, please visit our homepage. 

What area of the city do you serve?  

I serve the community in Northwest Baltimore. The area comprises 20 neighborhoods from Wabash Avenue, to Druid Park Drive, over to Greenspring and along the 83, up to the County line. We have amazing assets like CC Jackson Park, Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm, Cylburn Arboretum, the Mt. Washington Farmer’s Market, and of course Pimlico Racetrack, among many others. Sign up for the Northwest Connection newsletter if you’re curious about the area.

How long have you been with DOP? 

I started with DOP in November of 2022, so I’m coming up on three years. After years of working for State and County governments, I am thrilled to work for my home community. As proof of my longstanding ambition to work here, I submit this interview that a fellow grad student and I conducted with DOP Director Chris Ryer back in 2019!

What inspired you to pursue a career in city planning? 

I was happily employed in a completely different industry when I stumbled into planning through volunteering with my neighborhood association (which is not to say that we agreed on neighborhood goals!). I stay in this field because I am very passionate about housing policy; safe, accessible, affordable transportation; and people.

What are your favorite ways to engage with the community? 

I really love a neighborhood walk-and-talk with a group, or a deep-dive conversation over coffee. Quantitative data is necessary, but nothing beats learning about people’s neighborhood experiences in person.

How do you promote equity as a City Planner? 

By being as specific and measurable as possible when I talk about “equity” or when I define how a process or outcome is “equitable.” Our Department’s equity lens is valuable for thinking about equity in planning.

What advice would you give anyone interested in becoming a City Planner? 

Go for it! I found it helpful to get political about something local: Go to local book talks and read local news. Volunteer with a group doing interesting/meaningful work in the City. Attend community meetings. You can always reach out to your local planner for advice!

What actions do you feel are important for residents to take to engage more with city planners and DOP?

Our department is pretty accessible. Just reach out.