Jan 14, 2008 8:22 am US/Eastern
Abandoned Homes Demolished In Northeast Baltimore
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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The city says demolishing several abandoned homes in Northeast Baltimore will cut crime and grime in the area.
CBS
Some call it revitalization. Others say it's the destruction of a neighborhood.
But as
Gigi Barnett explains, the city says demolishing several abandoned homes in Northeast Baltimore will cut crime and grime in the area.
Neighbors say for years vacant homes have attracted problems to Tivoly Avenue in Northeast Baltimore.
But last week the city took a bulldozer to at least five abandoned rowhomes. Five more are in the works.
"The first phase of that plan is to eliminate the worst of the worst blight and that really is this portion of the 2700-block of Tivoly," said Paul Graziano, City Housing Commissioner.
Graziano says the demolition is part of the city's multi-million dollar plan to buy out homeowners and turn the ailing homeowners around.
"I have a lot of confidence that this community will rebound. It's the city's role to really take out those pockets of severe blight so that those other areas of the neighborhood will have a chance to flourish," said Graziano.
Graziano says without a demolition, homeowners who want to get out can't sell. Investors who want to buy in won't take the risk.
"They're clamoring for this change. They understand they have done everything they can do. What can you really do about this?" Graziano said.
Investors like Jewel Sikder don't mind the buyouts or the bulldozing. He says it's only going to improve the area and help his bottom line.
But there are some residents who don't want the demolition. They say the city should invest first, tear down last.
"There are people who oppose it because there are people who grew up here," said Sikder.
"We cannot ignore market realities. The market reality is that investors aren't going to come in and initiate something if there are severe problems in the community," said Graziano.
The demolitions are not just for Tivoly Street. The city has identified at least 13 other communities that will see the same fate.
The city plans to spend more than $3 million on the entire Tivoly project. Demolition on five more homes will continue later this week.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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