By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Baltimore Together, the city’s economic development strategy, held a neighborhood bus tour on May 13 to mark the first anniversary of its West Baltimore impact area tours.
Alice Kennedy, housing commissioner of the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, led the tour through the neighborhoods of Penn-North, Druid Heights and Upton.
Kennedy highlighted the work being done to revitalize the Parkview Recreation Center and how it is expected to benefit the community.
“That recreation center is acting as and will act as a cornerstone for the community,” said Kennedy. “That rec center is 100 percent funded by DHCD–the Department of Housing and Community Development. It’s a $10 million rec center project, and we are funding that with community development block grant money that we were able to put together over a couple of different years to be able to make that project possible.”
The tour highlighted the city’s efforts to address vacancy and expand access to affordable housing. Participants visited several key sites, including the Harriet Beecher Stowe School and the Upton Gateway, which was unveiled in 2024.
The bus rode through blocks of long-vacant homes slated for full-block renovations, many of which the city is working to acquire.
Kelly Little, a development consultant for the Upton Planning Committee, praised the transformation of one block.
“I can remember coming to this spot 20 years ago and working with a development corporation and this block was a complete disaster,” said Little. “Probably 95 percent of the properties weren’t just vacant, there were no roofs, no back walls and trees in houses. To see what has happened as a result, and to see that, physically, it’s beautiful, is just outstanding.”
Little emphasized how the passion of the community members helps drive this renaissance.
“The energy that the homeowners on this block have brought to the community is also very valuable–whether it’s planning events or coming to the community meetings,” said Little.
Little said that new faces working with longtime advocates is crucial to renewing the energy of the neighborhood.
Jamesetta Howard, a Upton resident, expressed pride in the community’s growth.
“I could have retired anywhere, but this is home,” said Howard, born and raised in Baltimore. “This neighborhood is an example of the resiliency of Baltimoreans. We love our city.”
Howard said she is excited about the rich history of the neighborhood and is glad to know that developers are looking to maintain it.
“I can look past all the boarded-up houses, and I can see the rich history,” said Howard. “That’s exactly why I’m here.”
The bus tour included the Upton Mansion, which has been acquired by Afro Charities and will be the new home of the AFRO Archives and AFRO News by late 2026.
“This has been a key strategy here for this block, which is helping to move this property into a productive use,” said Kennedy.
It also showcased redevelopment sites like the P.S. 103 building, now the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center.
“The P.S. 103 building was a formerly vacant city-owned building, and this building has now been lovingly transformed into the Thurgood Marshall Amenity Center,” said Kennedy. “Dr. Al Hathaway has been the champion and the steward of this project for nearly a decade now to make this a reality.”
Kennedy said the center anchors Division Street, which is undergoing full revitalization, from sidewalks to structures.