City tears down 'blighted' block

BALTIMORE - Buildings were torn down on Lombard Street Friday, and the act was celebrated by Baltimore City government leaders and residents of the area.

The demolition was part of the Vacants to Value program. The buildings -- the 2400 block of Lombard, an area in the Shipley-Hill officials have described as "blighted." It's a move they say will help to stabilize the otherwise solid community.

"We are committed to fostering growth and improvement in this wonderful community," said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. "Today's demolition is an example of how the Vacants to Value Initiative is working to make communities like Shipley-Hill stronger."

City officials say the demolition is expected to enhance the value of homeowners' properties, increase public safety, and support the rehabilitation of vacant properties in the area. Demolitions have also taken place nearby on South Franklintown Road, South Catherine Street and Emerson Street  The community is working with partners to secure funding to turn the vacant properties into community gardens.

"Shipley Hill, like many of our neighborhoods, has suffered from 50 years of disinvestment," said Commissioner Graziano "Today we are about promoting investment, stability and a stronger future for this great community."

Launched in November of 2010, Mayor Rawlings-Blake's Vacants to Value initiative seeks to encourage reinvestment in neighborhoods impacted by blighted properties by strengthening code enforcement, promoting rehabilitation; streamlining the sale of vacant city property, and, by providing new, targeted incentives for homebuyers and developers who invest in vacant homes.