Neglected neighborhood properties campaign gets support from MICA
MICA has agreed to contribute financially to support BHCA’s use of a housing and zoning expert consultant to assist with the oversight of neglected and mismanaged properties in the neighborhood, a campaign BHCA began last year to strengthen the neighborhood.
Jeff Thompson, who chairs the committee overseeing troubled properties, said they continue to monitor 25 properties: “18 are on our watch list, one is in foreclosure proceedings and six are in receivership.” Housing receivership is a legal tool used by the city to address blighted properties by appointing a third party to take control and sell them for rehabilitation.
At 1804 Bolton St., HUD complications with an ownership issue are impeding the receivership. Six others are in the process: 1625 Bolton St.; 1700 Eutaw Place; 1702 Eutaw ( sale of property was set for January but has been delayed; 1920 Eutaw (DHCD began receivership in December. Subsequently there has been a recent building permit granted); 1532 Mt Royal Ave. (awaiting a court hearing); and 1622 Park Ave., granted a stay until July.
The committee reported on these other properties: 1703 Linden Ave., a new owner has listed the property for sale for $440,000; 1429 John St. has a new owner, probably a bank; and 1741 Park Ave. is under a sales contract (3-unit multi-family).
City plans to level closed Eutaw-Marshburn elementary school
City councilmember James Torrence told a BHCA meeting that the city’s Department of Housing and Community Development has set aside funds to tear down the abandoned building at Eutaw Place and Wilson Street that once was Eutaw-Marshburn elementary school. The school was closed by Baltimore City Public Schools in June 2023, citing low enrollment and the need for costly repairs. Several developers are said to have expressed interest in the three-acre property.
Young Baltimore writers create a literary map of the city
CHARM: Voices of Baltimore Youth is proud to announce the debut of the Baltimore Youth Literary Map, a first-of-its-kind, illustrated guide highlighting the spaces across the city that inspire young people to read, write, and tell their stories. The project is led by Bolton Hill’s Whitney Birenbaum.
Over the course of six weeks, students from CHARM’s Student Editorial Board worked with others to explore Baltimore’s literary spaces — documenting their significance through writing, research, and hands-on collaboration in the map’s illustration process. Students researched and reflected on the significance of public libraries, bookstores, schools, parks, and other meaningful spaces across the city. Their work was then transformed into a cohesive visual map by Baltimore-based illustrator Yifan Luo, capturing a youth-centered vision of Baltimore’s literary identity. More information at http://www.charmlitmag.org/
Evening in Annapolis offers chance to meet our General Assembly delegation
District 40 State Sen. Antonio Hayes and the district’s three General Assembly delegates are hosting “An Evening in Annapolis” on Monday, March 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. and with it an opportunity to see where and how the four elected officials do their jobs. Bolton Hill and most of West Baltimore is represented by Hayes and Dels. Marlon Amprey, Frank M. Conaway Jr., and Melissa Wells.
The event will take place in the Miller Senate Office Bldg. President’s Conference Center West, adjacent to the state capitol at 11 Bladen Street in downtown Annapolis. Shuttle bus transportation to the event is available for $2 each way with $11 parking at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium on Taylor Avenue. RSVP by Feb. 24 to https://tinyurl.com/4vvdf792 .
Greening briefing set for March 7
The Bolton Hill Community Association/Bolton Garden Club 4th Annual Greening Briefing will be held on Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m. It will include presentations from the Garden Club, BHCA, Marble Hill, Madison Park, Midtown Community Benefits Authority, Baltimore City Department of Planning and the West North Avenue Development Authority. It will be held at Unity Hall and is open to the public.
City zoning agency okays more new townhouses nearby
The city zoning board has approved a request by developers of Reservoir Square, across North Avenue from Bolton Hill, to build 52 additional single-family, market-rate townhouses where once a mixed-use office building and grocery were planned.
Streets Market has signed a lease to occupy a retail strip at the adjacent block, with construction of the grocery store and other retail space ready to proceed. Similarly, the high-rise office building on the west end of the 600 block of North Avenue, currently under construction, is already leased to the city to house a workforce development agency.
Developer David Bramble said that after exploring all options and “doing the math,” MCB determined that only town homes were feasible to replace the high-rise mixed-use building. The existing new townhouses built by Ryan Homes are selling for around $400,000.
Lyric Theater offers prizes to student essay writers; HURRY!
In honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Lyric has invited Baltimore City and Baltimore County students in grades 5 to 12 to create artworks based on their big dream for a better world. Students are eligible to enter the contest with a 500-word essay; a one-page poem; a piece of visual art; or a 60-second edited video. Submissions are accepted through Feb. 20. Prizes include laptop computers and $500. Details at https://www.lyricbaltimore.com/education/dreambig
State comptroller’s website offers free support for preparing tax returns
Go here for a variety of tips and assists as you wrestle with your 2025 income tax returns.https://www.marylandcomptroller.gov/individuals/tax-services.html [psj note: make sure that this link works]
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, Mary Ellen Chambers, Rich Dubrose, Steve Howard, Andrew Lacovara, Francine Marchese, David Nyweide, Sallye Perrin, Jim Prost and Lee Tawney. Errors and omissions are the responsibility of the editor, Bill Hamilton. Comments are welcome at bulletin@boltonhillmd.org.
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