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Department of Housing and Community Development

A New Canvas for Baltimore: Project C.O.R.E. Demolition Begins in Baltimore City

projectcorelogoIn partnership with the Maryland Stadium Authority and Baltimore City, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development recently kicked off blight elimination activities under Governor Larry Hogan’s Project C.O.R.E. initiative. In September, demolition of two separate sites in east and west Baltimore took place, marking the official launch of Project C.O.R.E.’s first phase.

The launch of the demolition phase of the project comes shortly after the department announced the receipt of the first round of Project C.O.R.E. applications. The department received applications from 36 different organizations for 77 projects requesting more than $77 million – well beyond the allotted funding for FY 2017.

“Through our direct outreach to community organizations, we created a Project C.O.R.E. application process that was responsive to the needs of Baltimore’s varied neighborhoods, and the response to our first application round was overwhelmingly positive,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “The funds requested not only exceeded the amount available for 2017 but, the total amount allocated for demolition over the life of the initiative. This demonstrates the importance of and potential derived by Project C.O.R.E.”

The properties on E. Federal Street and Argyle Avenue represent the first properties to be demolished under Project C.O.R.E. by the Maryland Stadium Authority. To maximize investment, future demolition will focus on areas of concentrated blight and derelict properties based on recommendations from Baltimore City and the state. All demolition activity is subject to extensive environmental and safety standards developed collaboratively by the state, the authority, its partners in the city, and the advocacy community. These standards were designed to protect neighborhood residents from hazards during demolition, such as lead dust, at an overall level rarely, if ever, seen before in the nation.

After the demolition phase, Project C.O.R.E. will be supported by more than $600 million in financing opportunities from the department during the initiative’s second phase, which will focus on revitalization and redevelopment. Guided by the needs of each community, the state’s investment in housing and small businesses that will attract families and support economic growth will encourage additional private sector support to revitalize and redevelop Baltimore’s neighborhoods.

“A New Canvas for Baltimore” is a regular series covering Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise). Project C.O.R.E. will clear the way for new green space, new affordable and mixed use housing, and new opportunities for small business owners in Baltimore City. The initiative will generate jobs, strengthen the partnership between the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland and lead to safer, healthier and more attractive communities. For more information on Project C.O.R.E., visit http://dhcd.maryland.gov/ProjectCORE/.