Tony Baysmore, Coordinator
410-887-4040
dbaysmore@co.ba.md.us
The Northwest Community Conservation Sector, which covers 94.61 square miles and accounts for 16% of the land area of Baltimore County, is the largest of the five sectors. It lies between Route 70 and Falls Road and reaches as far north as Reisterstown. Major communities in this sector are Pikesville, Owings Mills, Liberty-Randallstown, Woodlawn, and Reisterstown. Major roads are Reisterstown Road, Northwest Expressway (I-795), and Liberty Road.
The Northwest Sector is the largest in size (16% of the land area in Baltimore County) and the least densely populated. In 1990, this sector had proportionately more African Americans, as well as more households with a higher household income than any other sector. Housing tends to be newer, with more multifamily housing units, a lower homeownership rate, and a higher vacancy rate. There are more than 26,000 multifamily housing units located in 100 properties in the Northwest Sector, with more than 75% of them built during the 1960's and 1970's. Forty percent of the multifamily housing units in the Northwest have some type of HUD assistance. The average per unit value of multifamily housing units is $30,058, the third highest after the Northeast Sector.
In 1990, the population of the Northwest Sector was 151,336 persons, making it the second most populous of the sectors. Its average density was 1,599.6 persons per square mile, which was the lowest for all the sectors and about half that of the Southwest Sector. Between 1980 and 1990, the sector's population increased by 4.3%, or slightly less than the increase of 5.6% for all of Baltimore County.
Like the Southwest Sector, the age breakdown of the population in the Northwest Sector was similar to that for all of Baltimore County. However, the breakdown by race for the Northwest Sector was markedly different from the County as a whole. The proportions of white and African-American persons in the Northwest Sector in 1990 were 64% and 34%, respectively, compared to 85% and 12%, respectively, for Baltimore County. About three-fifths of all African-Americans in the County lived in the Northwest Sector in 1990.
The average household size in this sector was 2.55 persons per household, which was near the County's average household size of 2.58 persons.
Income in this sector tended to be higher than for the County as a whole. The sector had proportionally fewer low- and moderate-income persons than the County in 1990 (28% for the sector versus 30% for the County). Income data for households show that the median household income in the Northwest Sector was in the $40,000 to $49,999 range, compared to the median of $38,837 for the County. In addition, the sector had more than its proportional share of the County's households in the highest income bracket. Although the sector had 22% of all the households in the County in 1990, it had 27% of the County's households with an annual income of $150,000 or more.
There were an estimated 93,975 jobs located in the Northwest Sector in 1990, which was the second highest number of jobs for the five sectors. Major employers in this sector are Social Security Administration, Health Care Financing Administration, Sweetheart Cup Company, Northwest Hospital Center, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Maryland, Baltimore Gas and Electric, USF&G Corporation, T. Rowe Price Associates, and Integrated Health Services.
In 1990, about half of the sector's housing units were single-family homes, 15% were townhouses, and 35% were multi-family units. The sector's percentage of townhouses was lower than in the other sectors and in the County, while the percentage of multi-family units was noticeably higher. The higher proportion of multi-family units, which were mostly rental units, account for the sector's homeownership rate of 57.1%, which was the lowest for the five sectors.
Rental housing in this sector tended to be newer than owner-occupied units. The median year that owner-occupied units were built was in the 1960's, while the median year for the rental units was in the 1970's. In addition, housing tended to be newer in the Northwest Sector than in the County as a whole, where the median year was in the decade earlier for each type of housing. The median value of the units was in the $75,000 to $99,999 range for both the sector and the County.
The housing vacancy rate of 5.3% was the second highest of the sectors, as well as somewhat higher than the County's rate of 4.7%.
The Northwest Sector includes five (5) community conservation areas: Greater Pikesville, Liberty/Randallstown, Woodlawn/Security, Smith/Greenspring, and Glyndon/Reisterstown.
In Greater Pikesville, the major community concerns center on the continuation of the highly successful commercial revitalization efforts, the construction of the new fire station, improved parking and accessibility, and the provision of additional housing and services for the elderly.
Both the Liberty/Randallstown and Woodlawn/Security communities are concerned with commercial revitalization, increasing the level of homeownership, and addressing the needs and impacts of large-scale multi-family housing developments. Also of concern is the need to increase family and community involvement in the education of children and youth, public safety issues in both residential and commercial areas, improved organizational leadership, and image enhancement.
Smith/Greenspring is a relatively stable area, with a large population of elderly persons. Public safety is a priority issue, as is maintaining property values and the quality of local shopping areas. A particular issue is the need to support the recently opened community reading center/library in the Wellwood Shopping Center which provides a valuable service for children, families and the elderly.
In Glyndon/Reisterstown, the major problems involve commercial growth and revitalization, especially in response to new development in Owings Mills. Additionally problems are traffic, the condition of and impact from multi-family housing developments with high concentrations of low-income households, poor test scores at the elementary school level, lack of active recreational opportunities for youth, and crime and drug activity. Real or perceived, racial tension among high school age youth, though often exaggerated, is also an issue.
As in all communities throughout the County, education is a major concern throughout the sector, along with public safety, health and human services delivery, infrastructure improvements and recreation. The impact of the large number of multi-family housing developments on the surrounding single-family residential and commercial areas, is also a concern. Dealing with this issue in a comprehensive manner will be a priority during the next year for the Office of Community Conservation.
In the recent past the Northwest Sector has benefited from the many public/private partnerships which have emerged. The Woodlawn/Westview Rotary adopting the Woodlawn High School and the YMCA of Central Maryland establishing a Head Start Program for families who reside on the Liberty Road Corridor, collaborations between Baltimore County Public Schools and other public/private agencies are examples of how partnering can bring many resources to improve the community and help meet the needs of that community.
The development of the Liberty Action Plan for Node II began in the summer 1997 when County Executive Ruppersberger and County Councilman Kamenetz held a joint public meeting to kick-off the update of the plan. Residents, institutions, businesses and agencies were invited to participate. Three major issues were to be addressed.1) The Commercial Area, 2) The Recreational Opportunities and 3) The Multi-family Rental Housing.
The Security/Woodlawn Business Association's efforts have begun to reap benefits in increased job opportunities, more new businesses and an increased business growth. Improvements to roads, lighting and bridges in both the business and residential area are needed to support this economic turn around. Those issues will be addressed in the coming year.
The Reisterstown streetscape project was completed in November 1997. The expansion to Franklin High School and its landscaping will support the completed Reisterstown streetscape. The Liberty Road streetscape project has begun and construction should start in the fall 1998. These projects, with the State Highway Administration and the local Business Associations working cooperatively, will help stimulate other investment along the segment of Liberty Road receiving the improvements from business and private sources. The rejuvenated shopping center at Old Court Road and Liberty Road known as Liberty Crossroads will have the same impact on Liberty Road's Streetscape.
The problems associated with rental housing still remain a priority. Intensive efforts by the property owners and managers, the Liberty Randallstown Coalition, County agencies and residents will continue. The multi-family rental housing component of the Liberty Action Plan for Node II addresses issues which will be the major focus in this node. Data has been gathered and evaluated on the remaining multi-family rental housing complexes in this sector for use in setting a strategy and program in the coming year.
During the past year there has been a significant improvement in the achievements of students who attend schools in this sector as indicated by the MSPAP test scores and the school performance index. However, mobility rates and the number of students receiving free and reduced meals are still on the increase. Education issues and programs that focus on improving test scores and reducing mobility, especially for minority students, will continue to be a priority in the coming year.
The projects for Fiscal Year 2001 represent new initiatives, as well as continuation of activities begun in prior years. Efforts will continue in Woodlawn/Security Communities, within the Liberty Road Communities, particular in the designated HOT SPOT communities and in Sudbrook Park and Ralston Communities. Efforts also will begin in the Reisterstown addressing issues of concern within the multi- family communities.
Since FY 1996 the Northwest Sector has benefited from many public/private partnerships. The Woodlawn/Westview Rotary has adopted the Woodlawn High School sponsoring contests, providing mentoring opportunities, and providing financial support for programs. The YMCA of Central Maryland has established a Head Start Program for residents of the Liberty Road corridor. The Security/Woodlawn Business Association's efforts have begun to reap benefits. Partnerships that have been developed with the Department of Education, Police Department, and other County agencies have contributed to the community's business growth as well. United Healthcare and the Superfresh Supermarket Mid Atlantic Regional Office are among the new businesses that have located to this community.
The Liberty Action Plan for Node II was begun in the summer of 1997 and area stakeholders including residents, institutions, businesses, and agencies participated. The major issues identified were the revitalization of the commercial area, increased recreational opportunities, and multifamily housing. This action plan has been a guiding force in the County's revitalization strategy for the Liberty Road corridor.
There has been significant improvement in the achievement of public school students as evidenced by the MSPAP scores however; mobility rates and the numbers of students receiving free and reduced meals are increasing. Disparity in test scores for African Americans and whites has begun to decrease as more efforts and resources are directed at increasing test scores for African American students. Overcrowded schools will benefit by the new additions being constructed at Deer Park Middle and Elementary Schools and at Hebbville Elementary. The new Dogwood Elementary School, scheduled for opening in the fall of 2000 will also relieve overcrowding. The Board of Education is presently considering several redistricting plans for the Node II corridor. Lastly, the Liberty Randallstown Coalition's Multifamily Property Owners Committee has established a partnership with the Board of Education in an effort to reduce mobility rates and increase resident retention.
The Northwest Sector includes five community conservation targeted areas: Greater Pikesville, Liberty/Randallstown, Woodlawn/Security, Smith/Greenspring, and Glyndon/Reisterstown. During the past five years, the County has focused a great deal of attention and directed resources to most of these areas.
In Greater Pikesville, the major community concerns center on the continuation of the highly successful commercial revitalization efforts, the construction of the new fire station, improved parking and accessibility, and the provision of additional housing and services for the elderly.
During the past five years, Comprehensive Housing Assistance Inc has developed Weinberg Terrace with eighty-six units of housing for low-to-moderate income seniors in the Pikesville community with the County's support. The County worked with community and business leaders to develop community plans in the historic community of Sudbrook and in the Ralston community.
Both the Liberty/Randallstown and Woodlawn/Security communities were concerned with commercial revitalization, increasing the level of homeownership, and addressing the needs and impacts of large-scale multifamily housing developments. Also of concern was the need to increase family and community involvement in the education of children and youth, public safety issues in both residential and commercial areas, improved organizational leadership and image enhancement.
Paramount to achieving the goals as set forth in the Consolidated Plan was the establishment of principled partnerships between residents and other stakeholders. In order to effectively revitalize the commercial corridors, the communities needed strong business leadership and a united voice to address common concerns of safety and public image. To this end, the County worked with local business owners to establish a business association in the Woodlawn Security area and began the implementation of the Liberty Road Action Plan that was adopted and updated by the communities in the Liberty Road corridor.
The Security/Woodlawn Business Association was formed to address public safety issues and to enhance the image of the community. Housing strategies begun in the second half of FY 2000 will analyze FHA and VA foreclosures in an effort to effectively formulate policy and programmatic design for an intervention buying program in the Gwynn Oak and Woodlawn/Powhattan Hills communities.
The Liberty Randallstown Coalition is funded by the County to provide homebuyer education and counseling to potential first time homebuyers. As of the first half of FY 2000, the program has counseled and provided homebuyers' education to 129 successful SELP applicants. The Eastern Baltimore Area Chamber of Commerce has also provided homebuyer education and counseling to potential first-time homebuyers in the Northwest Sector resulting in 173 successful SELP applicants. All together, 302 first-time homebuyers were assisted through the SELP Program.
The Liberty Road corridor's image has been enhanced by the County's support and assistance to communities located on and adjacent to Liberty Road. There is increased community involvement and community mobilization. The physical improvements in the community have encouraged new business investment in the multifamily industry. Southern Management's acquisition and $8 million renovation of Liberty Place and Equity Management's acquisition of Brenbrook Apartments, Deer Park Apartments, and Marrion Square Apartments are seen as a positive investment in the Liberty Road Corridor. These investments have helped to positively impact the corridor's image. The acquisition and subsequent demolition of Savoy East Apartments by the County has freed up open space and removed an eyesore and problem property from the community.
Phase I roadway and streetscape improvements were completed in the first half of FY 1999. Phase II improvements will include resurfacing Liberty Road from Courtleigh Avenue to Milford Mill Road. New curbs, gutters and sidewalks where needed, street trees, and enhanced bus stops. Phase II improvements will begin in the second half of FY 2000.
The County, in cooperation with Baltimore City, environmental, community and business groups completed the redevelopment of the Powder Mill Park at the City/County line. The redevelopment included stream restoration and reforestation and new gateway signage. The Croydon Road gateway sign, just east of Beltway 695, was the first Gateway Improvement project. Both of these initiatives have enhanced the entrances to their respective communities.
Two communities in this sector have been designated as State Hot Spots. The communities of Woodlawn and Scotts Branch will receive funding to staff an organizer and additional police resources will be allocated as part of a crime reduction strategy.
Funding acquired from the Federal, State, and the County supported the development of the YMCA Head Start Center on the grounds of the Campfield Early Learning Center. The new Center is housed in a 7000 square foot modular building and will serve a maximum of 102 children and their families. The Center opened in FY 1999 and the Office of Community Conservation provides operational support.
A State and County funded streetscape project has been completed in Reisterstown. This project improved the appearance and functionality of the business district. The project included new brick sidewalks, lighting and landscaping, and gateway signage at both ends of the project area.
The Security/Woodlawn Village Business Association (SWVBA) - Continues to be a liaison between the business community and the government by assisting the community to obtain needed improvements to roads, lighting and bridges and other infrastructure, as well addressing the business community's image.
The Dead Run a Tributary of the Gwynn Falls - Continue to work with the communities and county government addressing the health and impact which this tributary has on all the surrounding communities.
Woodlawn/Westview Rotary - Continue to work with this service organization which addresses the Human Service needs of the residents of this community.
Educational Needs - Continue working with the residents, associations and organizations to continue efforts to improve the performance of all the students of Woodlawn High School, Woodlawn Middle School, Woodmoor and
Powhaten Elementary Schools.
Woodmoor PAL/Recreation Center - Assist the community, the Police Precinct and Recreation and Parks with the development of a volunteer base, a donation base and establishment of a community advisory board.
Community Plan - This office will assist the Lochearn community, the county council's office and other agencies with the development, approval and implementation of a prioritized action plan.
Home Ownership Programs- This office will continue to assist the communities throughout Liberty Road with the current home ownership programs such as S.E.L.P., Single family rehabilitation loan program, Emergency repair program and the Maryland housing rehabilitation program with particular emphasis on the Lochearn community including a pilot program for housing rehabilitation.
- Continue working on the community Head Start advisory board.
Woodmoor Hot Spot -A rather large area inside the beltway that includes the Lantern Hill, Town & Country Foxhaven and Woodmoor Apartments, the Commercial Districts along Liberty Road four (4) Churches, two (2) schools Powhaten and Woodmoor Elementary Schools, a park and several residential communities has been designated by the State of Maryland as a hotspot. This office will be responsible for the implementation of the community mobilization component.
Education Support - Continue to assist the community, the Police Department, and the Department of Recreation and Parks, with the educational programs which are a part of the Woodmoor PAL/Recreation Center's Program. Particular emphasis will be placed on helping to improve reading performance of the elementary schools students.
Implement the Multi-family Rental Housing Initiatives for Liberty Road - Continue to work with the community to implement the recommendations of the Multi-family Rental Housing Node II Action Plan. This office will continue assisting multi-family housing management and non-profits address the livability needs of their residents.
Non-Profit Development - Continue to assist non-profits to identify resources and partnerships, which helps build their capacity and enhances the accomplishment of their human service objectives.
Education Support - Continue to assist the community in addressing educational needs at Winfield Elementary School and Old Court Middle School by actively participating on each school's School Improvement Team (SIT) and to be an active advocate for each. There is also a need to develop a partnership with the community, the Police Department and the Department of Recreation and Parks, to help with the educational programs which are a part of the Winfield and Scotts Branch PAL/Recreation Centers' Program. Particular emphasis will be placed on helping to improve reading performance of the elementary schools students.
Scotts Branch Hot Spot - This office will be responsible for the implementation of the community mobilization component. This component consists of community organizing and educating the community on resources available to all residents and how to access those resources.
Randallstown Library Project - Assist with the development of a partnership between the Randallstown Library, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (a non-profit), and a major company to establish an after school program in the lower level of the Library. The objective is helping to improve reading among the elementary and middle school children and to help increase book circulation throughout the library service area.
Education Support - Continue to assist the community in addressing educational needs at Franklin High School by actively participating on the School Improvement Team (SIT) and to be an active advocate.
Multi-Family Complexes - Work with the Multi-Family Complexes Owners and/or Property Managers on developing a multi-family housing council for the Reisterstown Communities. The purpose is to enhance the manageability, profitability, and quality of life within the multi-family housing complexes within the Reistertown area; to address issues of common concern in an effort to improve cooperation, communication and networking; sharing information and ideas, for the benefit of the industry and the overall community
Implement the Sudbrook Community Plan- Work with the Sudbrook Park, Inc., the community association, County agencies, and the Councilman's office to implement the recommendations of the plan.
Implement the Ralston Community Plan- Work with Ralston Community Association, County Agencies and the Councilman's office to implement the recommendations of the plan.
Community Health - Actively participate on the Lifebridge Health Center Community Health Board. Help to determine the needs of the residents in the Lifebridge Health Center's catchment area and help promote the health resources available.
Multi-family Residents - Actively participate with the relocation of multi-family residents who may be displaced by the acquisition and demolition of the complexes in which they live.
Revised May 5, 2003
Courthouse 