Mayor Rawlings-Blake and Vacants to Value Moves Forward with Demolition in Johnston Square

 

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

Mayor,

Baltimore City

250 City Hall « Baltimore, Maryland 21202 « 410-396-3835 « Fax: 410-576-9425

Better Schools. Safer Streets. Stronger Neighborhoods.

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Friday, November 9, 2012

 

Ryan O’Doherty

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Mayor Rawlings-Blake and Vacants to Value Moves Forward with Demolition in Johnston Square
 

Demolition part of a greater $500 million revitalization strategy.

 

BALTIMORE, MD. (November 9, 2012) – Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake was joined by Baltimore Housing Commissioner Paul Graziano, residents and community partners for another major Vacants to Value demolition event in Johnston Square on the 1100 block of Barclay Street. Under Mayor’s Vacants to Value initiative, Baltimore Housing has worked closely with community partners to demolish these 36 blighted properties as a part of a larger strategy to assemble 7 acres for revitalization.

“Once again we are coming together to support a strong community in their efforts to eliminate blight and start growing again,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “Vacants to Value was designed to support strong communities like Johnston Square realize their full potential, and set an example for communities across Baltimore.”

Today’s demolition is a part of a greater plan to revitalize the Johnston Square community.  Significant efforts are underway in Johnston Square including the Lillian Jones Apartments, which will add 74 4 affordable rental units; the rehabilitation of 30 new homes by Mi Casa; the construction of the Baltimore Design School; and, the creation of an urban farm on formerly vacant lots. These efforts will strengthen the neighborhoods in Central Baltimore and create a strong spine of communities running the length of the City. There is roughly $500 million in investment in these neighborhoods planned or underway.

“Johnston Square is essential to strengthening the core of this city,” said Commissioner Paul Graziano.  “We needed to take the lead so that others could reinvest and know that the city would be a partner.  Our plan is working and the transformation is exciting.”

Launched in November of 2010, Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s Vacants to Value initiative seeks to encourage reinvestment in neighborhoods impacted by blighted properties by strengthening code enforcement, promoting rehabilitation; streamlining the sale of vacant city property, and, by providing new, targeted incentives for homebuyers and developers who invest in vacant properties.

For more information visit our website at www.baltimorehousing.org.
 

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