Central Baltimore Partnership

Promoting the comprehensive revitalization of eleven neighborhoods and one commercial district in Central Baltimore in accordance with action plans. Coordinates the activity of approximately 200 organizations including three universities, city and state agencies, community and nonprofit organizations, and businesses and business groups. We have achieved dramatic success in promoting strategic reinvestment in our community--re-using vacant property, promoting and preserving affordable housing supporting homeownership and commercial redevelopment, strengthening the vitality of our arts district, improving transportation, and creating more equitable social and economic opportunity. We have reduced the number of vacant properties and we have created or improved affordable housing and promoted homeownership. We have improved the commercial districts of Central Baltimore on north avenue, greenmount avenue, on lower charles street, and in remington.

Encouraging and supporting community engagement in Central Baltimore neighborhoods by collaborating with local foundations, local and state government, fellow nonprofit organizations, businesses and financial institutions to connect residents to employment, housing, business development, arts, cultural, and recreational opportunities, and health and support services. We also work collaboratively to improve public safety and activate vacant property.

Cbp and over 200 partners have realized a comprehensive community development strategy resulting since 2007 in over $1 billion in investment, nearly 2,000 units of housing, reduced crime, improved open space and pathways, lighting and sanitation and re-used long-vacant landmark commercial and industrial buildings. Cbp's 2012 hcpi action plan is still the bedrock of cbp's work and was a model of community participation, involving over 200 public and private meetings. This plan demonstrated cbp's ability to join stakeholders from 10 neighborhoods to plan and execute a bold revitalization strategy. Since then cbp has honed this collaborative approach and our work is guided now by over 20 task forces and work groups involving residents and businesses, subject matter experts, public agency and institution representatives. These committees wrestle with topics ranging from developing/maintaining an arts district, to creating vibrant out-of-school-time programming for youth, and the redevelopment of key parcels. Our uniquely collaborative approach and its impact have attracted attention from peers and potential investors, as well as local and national media. Baltimore housing, the md smart growth commission, the community development network of md, and national organizations like the community opportunity alliance recognize cbp as among the most innovative and productive community development organizations. Every week involves inquiries from groups who want to emulate our work and time spent coaching others in cbp's approach. Cbp has convened a number of community planning initiatives, then worked with stakeholders to build their implementation capacity. Recently, these include the development of a north avenue commercial revitalization strategy, and early reinvestment priority setting in midway, which has resulted in plans for a spectacular community park and the expansion of the compound, an extraordinary arts co-op. Cbp's current redevelopment activity is ambitious and reflects our capacity and the confidence key stakeholders have in our organization. These projects include leading community participation in the redevelopment of penn station and the surrounding public realm, expanding our Partnership with st. ambrose housing aid center and jubilee Baltimore to assist 80+ low-income homeowners to repair their homes each year. We have expanded programming of the station north arts district, small business ongoing rehabilitation along greenmount and north avenues and achieved $5 mm acquisition of a key arts hub, area 405.