Baltimore Housing Continues Fight Against Blight to Save Neighborhood
Demolishes the most blighted block in Baltimore.
Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano will join elected officials and community leaders to raze the vacant and blighted structures on the 1900 Block of Perlman Place, the most blighted block in Baltimore. The demolition will maintain the health and safety of residents in the surrounding neighborhood.
“Our job is to ensure our children are safe, our seniors are protected, and our communities can thrive throughout the city,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “The people of this community have suffered enough—today’s demolition is long over due.”
Over the last two years, Baltimore Housing’s Code Enforcement and Land Resources divisions have been working with South Clifton Community Association, BUILD and Darley Park Community Association to address the issue of blight through various code enforcement and acquisition strategies in their communities. The community recognized that Perlman Place (approximately 70 properties) was the biggest issue facing their community and draining tax, police and fire resources. Demolition was not the immediate response. It was not until a thorough review and inspections from both public and private sector developers were complete that rehabilitation was found to be unfeasible. Demolition was determined to be the best recourse for the community.
“The safety threat and blight far outweighed the value of rehabilitation,” said Baltimore Housing Commissioner Paul Graziano. “Demolition is not our first choice, but when having to consider the safety and well being of our citizens, we’re left with no other option.”
For more information contact Cheron Porter, Director of Communications at (410) 396-4709 or cheron.porter@habc.org.
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