By Doni Glover, Publisher
(BALTIMORE – October 27, 2024) – The energy in West Baltimore is nothing short of inspiring. Along West North Avenue, from North & Mt. Royal to North & Hilton, community groups are rallying around nearly $30 million in new investments poised to reshape the area.
This level of collaboration and investment is unprecedented for West North Avenue. Unlike the Baltimore Empowerment Zone, which only included parts of the avenue, this initiative focuses entirely on revitalizing this vital corridor. It will bring much-needed funds that, if well-managed, can significantly uplift the area.
A standout feature of this effort is its bipartisan support. The previous administration laid the groundwork by establishing the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA). In contrast, the current administration has provided robust funding—$11 million last year and an additional $17 million this year. Thanks to Gov. Wes Moore and former Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford, whose early collaboration with Sen. Antonio Hayes was pivotal to WNADA’s creation.
The roots of this effort can be traced back even further to the Ehrlich administration, which invested heavily in Coppin State University. As Coppin expanded, nearby areas, like the former Walbrook Lumber Mill block, began a transformation that is now visible in the area’s redevelopment.
This commitment is an example of how the Black community finally receives critical support and access to long overdue resources. Historically, the majority-Black neighborhoods in East and West Baltimore, sometimes called the “Black Butterfly,” have struggled to receive a fair share of government resources, in contrast to the predominantly White areas in central Baltimore, dubbed the “White L.”
With Senator Hayes at the helm, having grown up just blocks from Penn-North—ground zero for the Freddie Gray protests—this movement is deeply personal. A decade after the 2015 unrest, Hayes’s vision is finally taking root, reshaping perceptions and prospects for West Baltimore. Salute to Chad Williams, the Executive Director, and his team for bringing the community together like never before.
New developments, like P. David Bramble’s housing project between Park and Linden, contribute to the long-overdue transformation of this historic neighborhood. This reinvigoration brings hope and pride to West Baltimore and promises a lasting impact for generations.
