713 E. Biddle Street

Property Address:  713 E. Biddle Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Property Owner:  Mayor and City Council, 417 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

City Council District and Contact: 12th District, Jack Young

Mayor’s Meeting on Vacant Homes

Mayor Dixon is holding a Neighborhood Conversation to discuss the problem of vacant homes in Baltimore City.  If you are able to attend, bring your comments and suggestions:

May 6, 2009, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Heritage High School on the Lake Clifton Campus, 2801 Saint Lo Drive, Baltimore, MD 21213
For more information, contact the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods at 410.396.4735

417 Pitman Place

Property address:  417 Pitman Place, Baltimore, MD 21202

Property owner:  Mayor and City Council, 417 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

City Council District and Contact Info:  12th District, Jack Young

Another blighted property in East Baltimore, this one is on a block where people live.  A small alley street not far from Penn Station, this little neighborhood has such potential.  It’s a shame to see that the city owns this house, as we have little hope that anything good can come of that, given the city’s track record on vacant property thus far. We have to wonder what Jack Young plans to do for his constituents, and why slumlords operating in his district have come away with mere slaps on the wrist — if they’ve received any punishment at all.  Don’t the residents of District 12 deserve better than that?  We think so.

Front of 417 Pitman in East Baltimore

Rear of 417 Pitman Place

A Sea of Blight: Biddle & Barclay Streets, East Baltimore

There were too many houses to photograph individually, so we’ve provided you with a couple of views.  Most of the homes we saw today were abandoned — at least 90-95% of them. This part of Baltimore is steps away from Mt. Vernon and steps away from the Baltimore City Jail — an odd DMZ in the middle.  The fact that most of the abandoned homes are owned by the Housing Authority, and the Mayor and City Council, was a little disappointing.  Yet again, this is city-owned property that could serve a purpose, but instead it’s a blighted eyesore.

317 and 319-402 E. Biddle Street, and part of the 400 Block, Baltimore MD 21202

1100 Block, Barclay Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Property Owners:  Some are owned by the Mayor and City Council, 417 E. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.  Some are owned by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City, same address.

City Council District and Contact: 12th District, Jack Young

1105-1111 Barclay Street

Even side of Barclay Street

Section of the 300 block East Biddle Street

A Block of Blight: 1448-1458 Wicomico Street

We’re lumping these properties together, since they have the same owner.  This is a truly shameful commentary on our city.

Property Address:  1448, 1450, 1452, 1454, 1456, and 1458 Wicomico Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

Property Owner:  Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, 417 E. Fayette Street, Room 10, Baltimore, MD 21202

City Council District and Contact: 9th District, Agnes Welch

We are not including photos of 1456, as it appears that the person (or persons) who inhabit the home have made a decent effort to keep their property tidy.  Kudos to them, because it can’t be easy, considering what they’re up against, as you will see from the photos below.  Pay close attention to 1452 Wicomico Street, as we suspect that property is being used to store stolen goods.

front of 1448 wicomico street

rear of 1448 wicomico street

front of 1450 wicomico street

rear of 1450 wicomico street

front of 1452 wicomico street

rear of 1452 wicomico street

open rear window of 1452 wicomico street

closeup of trash at the rear of 1452 wicomico street - some is recording equipment and a bass amp.

front of 1454 wicomico street

rear of 1454 wicomico street

front of 1458 wicomico street

rear of 1458 wicomico street