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Feb 26, 2008 6:38 pm US/Eastern
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Baltimore Community Gets a Facelift
Reporting
Peggy Lee
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
After struggling with crime and blight for years, one South Baltimore neighborhood is getting a facelift. The community of Westport is undergoing a revitalization.
Peggy Lee joined neighbors as demolition began.
This isn't a typical job for the mayor, but what Sheila Dixon is doing is significant to this South Baltimore community. As members of the Westport neighborhood cheer her on, Mayor Dixon kicks off demolition of some vacant homes.
"What we're looking for are new changes in our community, new homes and a better environment for our kids to be raised in," said Shakiera Brown.
On Tuesday, city leaders began the process of revitalizing Westport. For years, the community struggled under the grip of crime and blight, despite several attempts to clean it up. The city eventually had no choice but to relocate the 89 families living in Westport homes and board up the units.
Renovating each unit would have cost the Housing Authority $36 million. Since the key focus of this project is to make the area safe and clean for the people who live near here, the city is spending $2.6 million to clear the area out.
City leaders say they will work with the community on a revitalization plan once the site is cleared.
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