The county's most ambitious revitalization projects over the past seven years have taken place in the southeast region. This region of the county has experienced the most hardship in the recent decades due to the national decline in manufacturing employment.
At the same time, the region boasts tremendous waterfront amenities that can be nurtured and enhanced in ways to attract and retain middle-income families. These factors and many more were thoroughly examined in the Eastern Baltimore County Revitalization Strategy, adopted by County Executive C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger in 1996.
While the eastside has garnered much of the news, highly successful efforts to uplift communities throughout the county have been undertaken. The Office of Community Conservation is active in the following communities:
- Southwest: Lansdowne, Riverview, Baltimore Highlands, Halethorpe, Edmondson Heights, Arbutus, Catonsville and Relay
- Northwest: Woodlawn, Liberty Road communities, Randallstown, Reisterstown, Pikesville
- Central: Greater Towson, East Towson, Ruxton-Riderwood, Scott Settlement, Cockeysville-Timonium-Lutherville, Hillendale, Loch Raven
- Northeast: Carney, Parkville, Fullerton, and Perry Hall
- Southeast: Greater Dundalk, Turner Station, North Point/Edgemere, Essex/Middle River, Rosedale, Parkville Carney
Highlighted activities in these communities include:
In Hillendale, the county constructed a new Police Athletic League/Recreation Center building adjacent to Halstead Academy. Hillendale is also the site of the county's fruitful partnership with Neighborhood Housing Services, a non-profit organization that promotes homeownership. The county, with assistance from the Maryland Legislature, has also implemented an innovative property tax credit program in the neighborhood to attract first-time homebuyers. Under the terms of the program, income-eligible buyers can get a 40 percent credit on their property taxes and an equal dollar credit against their Maryland income taxes for a five-year period.
In Lansdowne, the county has constructed a streetscape on Hammonds Ferry Road. Community Conservation is also working in partnership with the community's recently formed housing advisory committee. A color brochure was created to market the community to prospective homebuyers. The tax credit incentive to attract first-time homebuyers available in Hillendale is also available in Lansdowne.
Please visit the communities listed below for additional highlights on the county's efforts to build healthy communities.
Essex & Middle River
Dundalk & Turner Station
East Towson
Revised February 21, 2002