BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced $50.8 million in awards to revitalize Baltimore City neighborhoods by reducing the number of vacant buildings. The funding comes from the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative (BVRI), a program that has received a record $50 million allocation in the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget.

“In order for it to be Maryland’s decade, it has to be Baltimore’s time,” Moore said. “This historic investment through the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative will transform the City of Baltimore by addressing vacancy brick by brick and block by block.”

The BVRI is one of seven State Revitalization Programs administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The initiative, launched in October by executive order, brings together community, corporate, philanthropic, and government leaders to strategically invest in at least 5,000 vacant properties.

The 43 awards leverage the $50 million allocated to the BVRI program in the state’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget, a substantial increase in funding to the department for rehabilitating vacant properties. This increased investment will facilitate the development of affordable housing, new green spaces, and mixed-use developments.

The $50.8 million in funding through the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative is a key component of the Moore-Miller Administration’s plan to build a stronger Baltimore by converting the city’s vacant buildings into new homes and lovable spaces. This funding will allow our local government and non-profit partners the ability to create stronger neighborhoods by increasing home ownership, adding more commercial space and creating new public spaces to make Baltimore better.

The Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development received $20 million to expedite the acquisition of properties for demolition, stabilization, rehabilitation, and reuse. The Maryland Stadium Authority received $9 million to support demolition, stabilization, and related activities for vacant and abandoned properties in priority neighborhood target areas. This effort is part of an expanded partnership between the DHCD and the City of Baltimore.

The Druid Hill Partnership Inc. received $2.15 million to stabilize and rehabilitate several residential properties near Druid Hill Park. The Neighborhood Impact Investment Fund, Inc. received $1.5 million to support acquisition, demolition, infrastructure, and/or design for the next phase of Reservoir Square on West North Avenue. This phase will include a nearby grocery store, neighborhood retail, mixed-income apartments, and parking. The Southeast Community Development Corporation received $1.5 million to acquire and stabilize the Crown Cork & Seal site on Eastern Avenue. This funding will pave the way for a large-scale rehabilitation effort to create a mixed-use live and work artist space.

Information on the initiative’s 43 awardees is available on the DHCD website (PDF).

The State’s BVRI program is integral to achieving Mayor Scott’s goal of restoring vibrant and sustainable neighborhoods throughout the city, said Baltimore City Housing Commissioner Alice Kennedy. The BVRI funds directly support the City’s $3 billion plan to reduce vacant properties. Detailed information about the BVRI and the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council can be found on the DHCD website (PDF).

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

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