Greenmount
Community Planning Council
Since
its beginnings in November 1999, the Greenmount Community Planning Council has
worked to counter the effects of random demolition, to analyze neighborhood conditions,
to network with residents and local institutions, and to garner community support
for its revitalization plans.
Beginning the GCPC: A Community-Based Response
In September
1999, the City of Baltimore launched a series of unannounced vacant house demolitions
in the Greenmount neighborhood. |
| ____________
“As they watched the dismantling
of their neighborhood
one
house at a time, community members realized that they must stem the tide.”
_____________
|
|
Community
residents, churches, and grassroots organizations were outraged by the city's
lack of advance notice, their disregard for the health of the community, and their
seemingly random approach to demolition.
The scattered sites left by the wrecking ball could not be assembled into a coherent
development project. Vacant lots attracted drug dealers, illegal dumping and vermin;
affected the structural integrity of the neighboring homes; and undermined the
overall livability of the neighborhood. As
they watched the dismantling of their neighborhood one house at a time, community
members realized that they must stem the tide. In
November of 1999, 35 residents met with members of the People's Homesteading Group
and St. Ann's Church to form the Greenmount Community Planning Council (GCPC) |
Galvanizing the Neighborhood: Community Planning
GCPC began analyzing the existing conditions and assets of the neighborhood over
the next twelve months. Following Mayor O'Malley's initiative on neighborhood
planning, the council began to develop a network of neighbors and local institutions.
| ____________
“
Following Mayor O'Malley's initiative on neighborhood planning, the council began
to develop a network of neighbors and local institutions.”
_____________ | |
By May
2000, the council had created a land use plan and project development strategy.
This plan focuses on demolition where necessary and preservation where
possible. It includes plans for new and rehabilitated housing, personal services
and convenience retail, parks and recreational places, and parking. Through
the end of 2000, the Greenmount Community Planning Council hosted a series of
community meetings to present and discuss the proposed plans. The plans were also
presented to 2nd District Council Members, the former Housing Commissioner, and
the current Deputy Housing Commissioner. | Developing
Leadership: Moving Ahead
The Greenmount Community Planning Council is now moving the process forward and
demonstrating its staying power as a vital neighborhood force.
| _____________
“The
Greenmount Community Planning Council is now moving the process forward and demonstrating
its staying power as a vital neighborhood force.”
_____________ | |
Operating
by consensus, the Council, made up of church leaders, community members, and members
of community organizations, meets twice a month to discuss issues related to The
Anchors of Hope Community Plan. Action Groups formed from these meetings work
to carry out the Anchors of Hope strategies.
Since December 2002, the GCPC has been conducting House Meetings throughout
the neighborhood to identify new community leaders and gathering community support.
GCPC will support House Meeting leaders in their efforts to carry out block initiatives
and will present a series of workshops to further develop leadership potential. |
| |
