Baltimore grant announcements launch Maryland Development Week

Community Development Network of Maryland celebrated the start of Community Development Week touting more than a dozen state grants for redevelopment projects, including $150,000 for the proposed Bethel Empowerment and Wellness Center in west Baltimore.

The grants from the Community Legacy Program were announced by Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Kenneth C. Holt during a news conference Monday. The project’s backers intend to transform the vacant 22,000-square-foot former recreation center at 1429 McCulloh St. into a community hub. Plans for the center include a proposed bank branch, offices and a café/lounge area.

“We believe this is an area that has been somewhat neglected, and we wanted to make a commitment,” Holt said during the news conference.

The grant for the center was among 15 awarded in Baltimore this year totaling $2.25 million. The city has received about $22 million for 168 redevelopment projects since 2002. During that time the grants, according to the state, have helped leverage $250 million in private and public investment.

Other notable grants awarded in Baltimore include $250,000 for TRF Development Partners’ east Baltimore revitalization project; $250,000 for the recreational field at Auchentoroly Terrace in Druid Hill Park; and $200,000 for residential rehabilitation projects in the Oliver neighborhood. The state plans to announce grants for the rest of Maryland later this month.

Holt acknowledged that former Mayor Sheila Dixon, who attended the event and is co-chairwoman of the center’s nonprofit board, reached out to him with “an ask” involving a financial commitment to the project. The center was also awarded $150,000 in state bonds earlier this year after legislators who represent the area sought $500,000 for the project.

This is the third annual Community Development Week held in Maryland. The event was created by the Community Development Network of Maryland to showcase the work done by various organizations throughout the state with funds aimed at helping revitalize communities.

Development week activities, which actually run through Oct. 26, involve stops throughout the state highlighting investments in areas such as Berlin, Hagerstown and Elkton. The events range from showing off the improvements made through façade upgrades to the creation of an entrepreneur center.

Odette Ramos, executive director of the Community Development Network of Maryland, said these events show what can be accomplished when communities have access to needed funds.

“More of this activity can happen with more dollars,” Ramos said.