HUD's Maryland State Office Helps
McElderry Park Restore Its Vacant Lands

Morgan State Architecture students helped capture a community's vision into a master plan for redevelopment.

An example of the finished site plan developed in cooperation with Morgan State students and community residents around multiple lot reuse development.

Residents work with Morgan State University Landscape Architecture graduate students to assess existing conditions and exchange ideas.

Residents work with Morgan State University Landscape Architecture graduate students gather near McElderry Park to assess existing conditions and exchange ideas.

Six community groups, located in the McElderry Park area of Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition, Inc. (HEBCAC) Empowerment Zone, requested the assistance of Community Builders Ethel Locks and David Casey to identify adaptive reuses of vacant lands. Created by the demolition of rowhouses that were abandoned or condemned for safety reasons, these vacant areas were blight on the community.

Organizations in the community have critical roles in the stabilization and revitalization of McElderry Park. These groups represent social, housing and economic development interests and understand the environmental and aesthetic need to integrate green spaces in the midst of housing and other development. The organizations included a housing development corporation, faith based congregation, community association, elementary school, and a social club.

To help capture the community's vision, a partnership was established with Morgan State University's Institute of Architecture and Planning of the Graduate Landscape Architecture Program. Morgan State University is a Historic Black College and University located in Baltimore, Maryland. Graduate students assigned to the effort translated each organization's ideas into a master plan.

Conceptual plans were drawn based on research, speaker presentations, interviews, meetings and workshop. Site designs were prepared for each vacant lot and presented to the public and empowerment zone staff. The next task defines phases, develops a timeline and solicits funding.

Vacant lot restoration served as a catalyst to bring together and empower people with diverse interest and backgrounds around a common theme of neighborhood revitalization.

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