Progress on neglected properties?
Of 25 Neglected and Mismanaged Properties on BHCA’s watchlist last year, 10 are now in foreclosure or other legal proceedings – an important step toward, hopefully, a better future for each of them. That was the report at BHCA’s January meeting from Jeff Thompson, who leads the committee charged with overseeing reported properties, most of them with non-resident owners.
The properties in foreclosure litigation are at 1804 Bolton St. & 1741 Park Ave.and 1429 John St. Complaints about a troubled property at 1703 Linden Street has led to efforts by the owner to secure and clean up the residence. These additional residences are in some stage of receivership — a code enforcement tool that allows the city to request the appointment of a “receiver” to force the sale or abatement of the nuisance created by problem properties: 1625, 1700, 1702 and 1920 Eutaw Place; 1532 Mt. Royal Ave.; and 1622 and 1741 Park Ave.
Free light bulbs available for safety lighting
BHCA received a $10,000 safety and security grant from the BGE/Excellon Foundation to enhance outdoor lighting in the neighborhood. Grant funds are being used to purchase dusk to dawn energy, efficient lightbulbs to be installed in private fixtures and lighting the public way. Those light bulbs are available to BHCA members now.
Additional funds are available for installing solar powered, motion detection alley lights. Funds may be available to purchase solar powered, front façade lights that meet CHAP standards. Additional assistance to help distribute and/or install lighting is needed; contact jprostmd@gmail.com
DPW offers holiday tree disposal and mulching
The city Department of Public Works is offering free Christmas tree mulching services through Sat., Feb. 7 at Sisson Street Residential Recycling Center, 2840 Sisson St., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Ornaments, tinsel and decorations must be removed before drop-off. Residents should bring bags or containers if they want to collect mulch.
Residents may also dispose of Christmas trees with their regular weekly trash collection through Sat., Feb. 7. Trees must be placed at the same location as regular trash pickup, and ornaments, tinsel and decorations must be removed.
City garden plots registration is open
Registration for City Farms garden plots for 2026 is open until March 22. Several Bolton Hill vegetable and flower gardeners have plots at Druid Hill Park, but they also are available elsewhere across the city.
The program is open to Baltimore residents and city employees wishing to garden, regardless of experience level. Novice “farmers” are mentored by volunteer garden managers and others eager to share their knowledge. Additional support is provided in the form of hands-on gardening seminars, training manuals and bulletins. The city provides water, manure and mulch for a small fee. More information at https://bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/special-programs/farms .
About The Bulletin
The Bolton Hill Bulletin is published monthly, except for July and August. It is designed by Elizabeth Peters. Paula Jackson is our proofreader. We invite others to help with writing, editing, photography or work on the business side. Contributors this month were, among others, Kevin Cross, Francine Marchese, Jim Prost, Lee Tawney and Peter Van Buren. Errors and omissions are the responsibility of the editor, Bill Hamilton. Comments are welcome at bulletin@boltonhillmd.org.
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