A Baltimore County redevelopment project is promising to bring new opportunities and money to Turner Station, but some residents fear it will lead to gentrification, leaving them in the dust of construction.Late last year, Gov. Larry Hogan and Baltimore County officials joined to break ground on a new distribution center for McCormick at Tradepoint Atlantic, turning yet another new page on the redevelopment of the old Bethlehem Steel site at Sparrows Point in southeastern Baltimore County.”We are thrilled to bring another iconic brand to this site,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said.The change that’s underway in the region is profound. The old steel mill was leveled and replaced by the landscape of a new economy: Huge warehouse-type buildings focused on shipping and distribution. Eventually, as many as 10,000 people may work there.”This is a national model and an economic engine that can’t be replicated,” Olszewski said. “It’s a gem for Baltimore County and the state, the entire Mid-Atlantic region.”With the rebirth of Sparrows Point comes change in surrounding areas as new housing is built.But just down the road in historic Turner Station, there is concern that gentrification could drive out long-time residents. Day Village, built in 1944, was among the first privately owned apartment communities for African Americans who were denied housing elsewhere. Last summer, owners of the property sent a letter to residents, informing them of plans to renovate.”Many of the people heard, based on the letter they received, (about) increased rent and decided to leave,” said Lakeia Newkirk, a community organizer. “I was concerned, at that point, about gentrification because we are in the midst of a pandemic, and you have the predominant resident is Black or brown, low-income, so where are they going to move? And where are they going to move in a pandemic?”The plan could force out Katrina Clowney’s child care business in the community to make room for an expanded convenience store.”There is no place for us in the community to go. We will have to leave the community,” Clowney said. “The majority of the families can walk their children, and it’s affordable.”The Day Village properties could use some renovation. The 77-year-old houses frequently need repair. There are as many as 70 complaints from residents per week.”In the kitchen, the water will come from the bathroom, come in the kitchen,” said Helen, a resident.But the biggest concern is: What if a renovated Day Village demands higher rents? As it stands now, this is one of the most affordable rental communities in the Baltimore region, where affordable housing is in short supply.”None of us has a choice because we are poor. We don’t have an option. It’s the main reason why I came here,” said Marsha Dewitt, a resident.”It’s beautiful,” Newkirk said. “A person who’s paying $650, when I can get somebody to pay $1,400, that makes good business sense. That’s true. But what do we do as a community for the people who are here?”The plan is to give the houses a total upgrade with new doors and windows and updated kitchens.Property manager Nakia Savoy said the property’s owners, an investment firm in New York, are committed to keeping current residents in the community.”I am excited for our residents to be a part of this whole renovation project, especially residents that have been here for so long,” Savoy said.Savoy said the residents will face rent increases.”Right now, they have communicated not to exceed 5% for the next two years,” Savoy said.The renovations haven’t started yet. The property owner said the delays are due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The state has awarded the property more than $627,000 in historic tax credits to become available when the renovation is complete.
A Baltimore County redevelopment project is promising to bring new opportunities and money to Turner Station, but some residents fear it will lead to gentrification, leaving them in the dust of construction.
Late last year, Gov. Larry Hogan and Baltimore County officials joined to break ground on a new distribution center for McCormick at Tradepoint Atlantic, turning yet another new page on the redevelopment of the old Bethlehem Steel site at Sparrows Point in southeastern Baltimore County.
“We are thrilled to bring another iconic brand to this site,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski said.
The change that’s underway in the region is profound. The old steel mill was leveled and replaced by the landscape of a new economy: Huge warehouse-type buildings focused on shipping and distribution. Eventually, as many as 10,000 people may work there.
“This is a national model and an economic engine that can’t be replicated,” Olszewski said. “It’s a gem for Baltimore County and the state, the entire Mid-Atlantic region.”
With the rebirth of Sparrows Point comes change in surrounding areas as new housing is built.
But just down the road in historic Turner Station, there is concern that gentrification could drive out long-time residents. Day Village, built in 1944, was among the first privately owned apartment communities for African Americans who were denied housing elsewhere. Last summer, owners of the property sent a letter to residents, informing them of plans to renovate.
“Many of the people heard, based on the letter they received, (about) increased rent and decided to leave,” said Lakeia Newkirk, a community organizer. “I was concerned, at that point, about gentrification because we are in the midst of a pandemic, and you have the predominant resident is Black or brown, low-income, so where are they going to move? And where are they going to move in a pandemic?”
The plan could force out Katrina Clowney’s child care business in the community to make room for an expanded convenience store.
“There is no place for us in the community to go. We will have to leave the community,” Clowney said. “The majority of the families can walk their children, and it’s affordable.”
The Day Village properties could use some renovation. The 77-year-old houses frequently need repair. There are as many as 70 complaints from residents per week.
“In the kitchen, the water will come from the bathroom, come in the kitchen,” said Helen, a resident.
But the biggest concern is: What if a renovated Day Village demands higher rents? As it stands now, this is one of the most affordable rental communities in the Baltimore region, where affordable housing is in short supply.
“None of us has a choice because we are poor. We don’t have an option. It’s the main reason why I came here,” said Marsha Dewitt, a resident.
“It’s beautiful,” Newkirk said. “A person who’s paying $650, when I can get somebody to pay $1,400, that makes good business sense. That’s true. But what do we do as a community for the people who are here?”
The plan is to give the houses a total upgrade with new doors and windows and updated kitchens.
Property manager Nakia Savoy said the property’s owners, an investment firm in New York, are committed to keeping current residents in the community.
“I am excited for our residents to be a part of this whole renovation project, especially residents that have been here for so long,” Savoy said.
Savoy said the residents will face rent increases.
“Right now, they have communicated not to exceed 5% for the next two years,” Savoy said.
The renovations haven’t started yet. The property owner said the delays are due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state has awarded the property more than $627,000 in historic tax credits to become available when the renovation is complete.
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