Southeast Sector

Terry Kingeter, Coordinator
410-887-2288
tkingeter@co.ba.md.us

The Southeast Sector, which has an area of 60.78 square miles, is the second largest of the Community Conservation sectors. The boundary between the Southeast and Northeast Sectors generally follows the Route 40 corridor. Major communities are Middle River, Essex, Dundalk, and Edgemere.

The Southeast Sector had the greatest number of persons in 1990, even though the population had decreased over the 1980-1990 decade. This sector has the highest percentage of low-to-moderate income persons, and the least expensive housing. The housing stock in this sector is older, with fewer single-family homes, more townhomes or rowhouses, and other types of housing including mobile homes. This sector has the oldest multifamily housing in the County with 4,858 of the 16,014 units aged forty years or older. This sector also had the highest vacancy rate. The average per unit value of multifamily housing units is $21,226, the absolute lowest in the County. In the most recent property tax assessment data captured, 54% of all multifamily properties in the Southeast Sector experienced a decrease in assessed value.

Population

The Southeast Sector had the largest population of the five sectors in 1990, even though the population had decreased by 2.3% between 1980 and 1990. This sector was the only sector that lost population during the 1980-90 decade. The sector's 1990 population was 157,124 persons, with an average density of 2,585.1 persons per square mile, which is similar to the density for both the Northeast and Central Sectors. Also like those two sectors, the Southeast had a higher proportion of non-minority persons than in the County as a whole (91 vs. 85%, respectively) and a lower proportion of African-Americans (7% in the sector vs. 12% for the County). However, the age breakdown for the Southeast Sector and the average household size of 2.58 persons per household were similar to statistics for Baltimore County.

Household Income

Income in this sector tended to be lower than for the County or the other sectors. Over two-fifths (42%) of the 1990 population in the Southeast Sector was classified as low- and moderate-income persons, which is significantly higher than the proportion for the County (30%) or for the other sectors. Income data for households show that 43 of the 47 census tracts in this sector had a median household income of less than the County median of $38,837. The sector also had more than its proportional share of household with incomes below $20,000, and less than its proportional share of households with incomes of $60,000 and over. Although the sector accounted for 23% of all households in the County in 1990, it had 30% or more of the County's households in each of the two income brackets below $20,000, and only 16% or less in each of the five income brackets of $60,000 or more.

Economy

There were 69,320 jobs in the sector in 1990. Major employers are Bethlehem Steel Corporation and Lockheed Martin Aero and Naval Systems.

Housing

In 1990, the Southeast Sector had almost as many townhouses (which includes rowhouses) as single-family homes, and accounted for one-third of all the townhouses in the County. The sector had the highest proportion of townhouses (37%) of any of the sectors, the lowest proportion of single-family homes (39%), and the highest proportion of other types of housing (4%). The sector's homeownership rate of 60.6% was lower than the countywide figure of 66.3%.

Housing in this sector tended to be older and less expensive than for the County as a whole. The median year that the housing units were built, both owner-occupied and renter-occupied housing, was in the decade of the 1950's. The median value of housing in this sector was in the $60,000-$74,999 range, which is the lowest of five sectors. The sector also had the highest vacancy rate (5.6%) for the five sectors.

The communities in this area of the County have suffered from the loss of well-paying manufacturing jobs, an aging population, and a lack of both public and private investment in basic infrastructure. Neighborhoods such as Turner Station, North Point Village, St. Helena, and Essex-Middle River have been hardest hit by the shift in the economy. Although homeownership rates remain high in most neighborhoods, maintaining those rates and keeping property values high will be a challenge.

Dundalk has the benefit of being a well-planned community with basic service needs being met through community, schools, parks and commercial areas. Maintaining this basic infrastructure is a need that has been identified by the community. As Dundalk's population ages, maintaining the area's homeownership rates will become more of a priority. The environmental impacts of the Back River Waste Water Treatment Plant, Bethlehem Steel and other heavy industry in the area have been of great concern to the residents of Dundalk.

In Essex-Middle River, specific needs identified are the redevelopment of multi-family housing developments of Riverdale Village, Chesapeake Village and Tidewater Village; stabilization of the housing stock; expansion of recreational opportunities for youth and young adults; the enhancement of support for families and children; the improvement of living conditions within the multi-family housing development of the Villages of Tall Trees; and the revitalization of the commercial corridors of Eastern and Martin Boulevards.

The North Point Peninsula is shadowed by Baltimore County's largest private employer, Bethlehem Steel. Except for the steel mill, the peninsula is very rural in nature with its main corridor, North Point Road, lined with farms that have been in agricultural use for over 300 years. The North Point State Park protects over 1,300 acres of pristine marshlands, forest and Chesapeake Bay waterfront. The protection of these natural resources, as well as the need to maintain basic services such as sidewalks, roads, and schools are priorities for this community.

The communities of Bowleys Quarters, the Lower Back River Neck Peninsula, Chase, Oliver Beach, Harewood Park, and Bird River have characteristics similar to the North Point Peninsula because of their proximity to the water. Again, the protection of the natural environment and concern over uncontrolled development are major issues. The extension of public sewers into the Back River Neck and Middle River Neck are major capital expenditures.

Current Overview

The Southeast sector remains the focus of major initiatives within Baltimore County. The implementation of several recommendations made in the Essex-Middle River Community Conservation Plan and the Eastern Baltimore County Revitalization Strategy are moving forward in partnership with the residential and business communities. Residents from the Greater Dundalk community are finalizing a community conservation plan for the area.

The redevelopment of obsolete rental housing will remain a focus in the Essex-Middle River area in the coming years. Four sites have been designated for redevelopment: Chesapeake Village, Riverdale Village, Villages of Tall Trees, and Tidewater Village. Riverdale is entirely vacant due to HUD's foreclosure on 540 of the 1140 units and the County's condemnation of the remaining 600 units. HUD has begun to demolish the portion of Riverdale which it owns and will convey a cleared site to the County for redevelopment. The County has also obtained State funds to demolish the remaining 600 units. Tidewater Village will undergo a redevelopment based on an agreement between the property owner and HUD. This will result in a reduction in density of 432 units out of a total 981 units. Chesapeake Village is currently 80% vacant and HUD has foreclosed on that property as well. HUD has agreed to also convey this site to the County. The County has also obtained State funds to demolish these units and convert the property to open space. County, State and Federal funds will be necessary to assist with the redevelopment of these sites.

In an effort to improve the image of the Essex-Middle River community and enhance the County's redevelopment projects along Eastern Boulevard, the Eastern Boulevard Enhancement project will move into the construction phase 1999. State Highway Administration will also make road improvements to Eastern Boulevard from the 600 block to Seiling Avenue thereby connecting the revitalization project completed in the mid 1980's with the new Eastern Boulevard Enhancement project.

Accessibility remains a major issue at many County-owned facilities. Due to the inaccessibility of the meeting room at the Essex Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, funding has been identified to install an elevator in this building in FY 1999.

Greater Dundalk, as with many Conservation Areas throughout the County, has suffered from a lack of public investment in infrastructure over the years. Additional monies have been allocated in recent years for alley reconstruction, paving, and curb and gutter replacements. Although Dundalk's homeownership rate is higher than the County average, measures are being implemented to bolster the homeownership rate in several communities such as West Inverness, Old Dundalk, St. Helena, and Turners Station. The new Acquire, Rehabilitation, and Customize a Home (ARCH) Program now in effect for West Inverness, Old Dundalk and St. Helena offers first-time homebuyers the opportunity to obtain a 4%, thirty-year mortgage for the purchase and rehabilitation of existing homes. This new tool in the Dundalk area will assist neighborhoods to get rid of problem properties by offering a very affordable interest rate to renovate a dwelling that may be in need of extensive rehabilitation.

The housing counseling workshops facilitated by the Eastern Baltimore Area Chamber of Commerce continue to be well attended. Additional County funding in the amount of $130,000 for the Incentive Purchase Program (IPP) will continue in this fiscal year in four neighborhoods in the Essex-Middle River area.

Schools in the southeast sector have some of the highest mobility rates, highest percentages of children receiving free and reduced price lunches, and lowest test scores. Efforts are being made to develop strategies that will lessen the impact that mobility has on a child's education. Retaining experienced teachers is also a priority in the southeast, where teachers with several years of experience often opt to move to more stable school environments. Increasing parental involvement has become a part of every school's " Improvement Plan" as educators struggle with issues of low attachment to schools and community, illiteracy among parents, and poor parenting skills.

The County's Enterprise Zone was enlarged in April 1997, to include the Lockheed Martin properties at Middle River and the Bethlehem Ship property at Sparrows Point. These properties are in addition to the original Enterprise Zone that included the industrial areas along North Point Boulevard and the former Eastern Stainless Steel plant. Marketing of the Enterprise Zone will remain a priority for the Department of Economic Development.

The Department of Economic Development will also involve the Eastern Baltimore Area Community Development Corporation (EBACDC) in a Brownfields Assessment Project grant from the EPA. The EBACDC in cooperation with Baltimore County will organize at least three seminars to educate the community and businesses concerning real or perceived environmental contamination; identify land available in Baltimore County with contamination; market these areas to new businesses; and be a broker of information identifying real risks.

The Southeast Sector is distinguished by the fact that it has the highest proportion of townhouses than any other Conservation Sector. At 37%, the Southeast Sector has as many townhouses as single family homes. In 1990, the sector's homeownership rate of 60.6% was lower than the countywide figure of 66.3%. Housing in this sector is older with a median construction date in the 1950's. The communities in this area of the County have suffered from the loss of well-paying manufacturing jobs, an aging population, and a lack of both public and private investment. Since FY 1996, the County has made a tremendous investment in the stabilization and revitalization of communities in the Southeast Sector. In FY 1996, the County identified specific needs that must be met in order to launch a comprehensive community re-development plan. At the heart of the plan is the stabilization of homeownership, the redevelopment of aging multifamily properties, expansion of recreational activities, and the revitalization of commercial corridors.

Additionally, the 175 miles of shoreline on the sector's eastern boundary provide an opportunity for unprecedented redevelopment for the County's eastside. The County recently announced its plans for a $30 million investment in the Essex/Middle River communities. This investment will include the redevelopment of the Riverdale Apartments site, a 221-unit single family housing development at Hopewell Point, a 150-unit single family development at Walnut Point, and the redevelopment of the waterfront at Middle River that will include new marinas and restaurants. The main channel is being dredged in the Middle River and storm water drain improvements will prevent silt from further reducing the water depth.

The Eastern Baltimore Area Chamber of Commerce (EBACC) administers the County's Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP) on the eastside and has been one of the County's most successful providers of homeownership education and counseling. Since FY 1996, EBACC has successfully settled 302 SELP loans on the eastside. Realtors report to the Office of Community Conservation that without the SELP Program, the real estate market on the eastside would be impacted negatively. The Office of Community Conservation provides operating support to the EBACC and continues to work with the organization to identify housing needs and priorities and to formulate an effective homeownership strategy for targeted neighborhoods.

The Southeast Sector has the oldest multifamily housing in the County, with a substantial number of properties that were built to house the World War II defense effort. Research conducted by the Office of Community Conservation reveals that the Southeast Sector contains 64% of the County's multifamily housing stock that was built prior to 1950. Additionally, the multifamily housing stock in this sector tends to be densely concentrated, with an overabundance of units. Many of the older multifamily properties are functionally obsolete and in need of new reinvestment. In an effort to address some of these issues, the County has worked with Federal and State agencies to reduce the density of substandard multifamily housing. Two thousand excess substandard multifamily housing units have been removed from the housing stock in the Essex/Middle River communities and further elimination of obsolete and substandard units are planned. Since FY 1996, the County has devoted significant time, money and effort to correct many of this sector's housing problems.

Essex/Middle River

Driving a great deal of the revitalization of the Essex/Middle River area is the Essex/Middle River Community Conservation Plan. The plan's development was requested by the County Councilman and was adopted by the County Council. The plan addresses housing issues, land use, economic development, transportation, leadership development, public safety, recreation, infrastructure and human services. Implementation has proceeded with great progress as evidenced by the many initiatives underway in this section of the Southeast Sector.

The County has been working with HUD and the community on the acquisition and subsequent demolition of the Riverdale Apartments. A troubled property by both the County's and HUD's definition with a vacancy rate of 60% and more than 2,100 code violations identified by the Office of Permits and Development Management, HUD foreclosed on the property and turned the property over to the County. The County is presently seeking redevelopment proposals for the site to construct single family detached housing on the site.

Whispering Woods, formerly known as Tidewater Village, and before that Dundee Village, was targeted for redevelopment by the property's owners with the concurrence of the County. Through selective demolition and redevelopment and re-configuration of units, the property density was reduced by more than 400 units. Further, a growing demand for three bedroom units spurred the reconfiguration of some of the two bedroom townhouses. Plans are now being formulated to develop an open space for this multifamily community. The management of Whispering Woods has donated a townhouse unit that is being used to house a community outreach program. The County has provided resources to support these on-site community services.

Chesapeake Village was also targeted for demolition of the 232-unit multifamily housing complex. Severely blighted and plagued with crime, HUD foreclosed on the property and completed demolition in 1999. The parcel will be redeveloped as a waterfront park and the County will invest resources to acquire adjacent land to enlarge and enhance this waterfront property.

After several attempts to reduce the severity of problems associated with the Village of Tall Trees, the County is now in negotiation with the 38 separate owners for the acquisition and subsequent demolition of the 105 buildings that make up the Villages of Tall Trees. The County and the State has spent enormous resources to develop a defensible space plan and to abate lead hazards, however, the property has continued to have a disproportionately high crime rate that has negatively impacted the adjacent homeowner and multifamily communities. The Village of Tall Trees, Kingsley Park Apartments, and Yorkway Apartments are being included in the Redevelopment Authority Legislation pending before the Maryland General Assembly that will give the County condemnation powers in Redevelopment Authority Areas.

In response to the growing need for an assisted living facility to accommodate the aging population of Essex/Middle River, Enterprise Senior Ventures Inc. (a subsidiary of the Enterprise Foundation) developed with the County's support a 97-unit assisted living facility for frail elderly individuals. Martin's Glen, located on Old Eastern Avenue near the Middle River, opened in the second half of FY 1999, and has set aside a number of affordable units for low to moderate-income elderly persons.

As one of the oldest areas in the County, the need for infrastructure improvements and revitalization of the Eastern Avenue commercial corridor was imperative to the Essex/Middle River Community Conservation Plan. The stretch of the corridor between Route 702 and Martin Boulevard is the gateway to the Essex/Middle River community and the economic base of the community at Lockheed Martin Aerospace. A State bond appropriation of $2 million was matched by County, Federal, and private funds to complete the construction of new curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and landscaping along Eastern Boulevard. These physical improvements are a strong complement to the redevelopment efforts of the Riverdale Apartments and the Villages of Tall Trees.

Lastly, the Office of Community Conservation has continued to coordinate alley reconstruction in the older communities. Alleys were reconstructed in response to petitions signed by homeowners.

Dundalk/Turners Station

When the FY 1996-2000 Consolidated Plan was written, Greater Dundalk lacked a community conservation plan. The Office of Community Conservation provided organizational support and an assessment of the area to identify and address issues of concern. Since FY 1996, a community conservation plan was developed in cooperation with the County Councilman and, it is hoped, will be adopted by the County Council. Work has been completed on infrastructure improve-ments in Old Dundalk, one of the oldest planned communities in the United States. The Office of Community Conservation provided $500,000 in funding for re-paving, curb and gutter replacement, and new storm drains.

Turner Station is a historically African American community located southeast of Dundalk. Traditionally a working and middle class community, the need for reinvestment in infrastructure and public facilities has been paramount. The Fleming Center, which had been in use for several decades, had been experiencing flooding and structural problems. A committee of county agency staff determined that a new Center should be built, complete with a gymnasium. The County has invested $4.2 million in capital funds and $600,000 in CDBG funds to develop the project. Construction is in progress and the new Fleming Center is scheduled to open in October 2000. The Turner Station Learning/Reading Resource Center, a County funded program, will relocate to the new Fleming Center this fall.

Southeast Sestor FY2001 One-year Action Plan

Riverdale Village - The now-vacant 63-acre parcel is also included in the Middle River Waterfront Plan with demolition to be completed by June 2000. This office will work together with the Department of Economic Development and the community to redevelop the site for single family detached housing, recreation, and neighborhood shopping.

Kingsley Park - Plagued with increasing crime and high turnover, this 311-unit Project Based Section 8 rental housing complex has become a source of concern for the County. A strategy will be developed in cooperation with HUD and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to determine its future.

Essex Townhouses - This 66-unit complex adjacent to the Villages of Tall Trees will also be acquired by Baltimore County over the next fiscal year and the property redeveloped into park land. Residents will be relocated to affordable housing in Baltimore County.

Whispering Woods (Tidewater Village) - This office will work with the owners of Whispering Woods and the community to address the needs of this housing complex through the possible creation of a community service center and additional resources such as adult literacy programs, after-school programs, a Citizens on Patrol group, and other social and educational enrichment programs.

Dundalk Community

Yorkway Apartments - An approach similar to the one being taken for the redevelopment of Tall Trees will be used to investigate possible redevelopment scenarios for the Yorkway corridor. The County over the next fiscal year will acquire all 56 buildings along this corridor to make way for single family detached housing and/or parkland.

Day Village - The County will fund the redevelopment of units within this 55-year old community located in Turner Station for senior housing. 22 fully accessible units for seniors will be created which will stabilize the complex by offering senior citizens an opportunity to stay in the community. This project will demonstrate how units can be rehabilitated with public investment to meet a growing need.

As a result of Redevelopment Plans being proposed in the Southeast Sector, the relocation of residents from the Villages of Tall Trees and the York Park Apartments will be necessary. Efforts will be made to provide supportive services to assist displaced residents in those multifamily properties in the search for rental and homeownership opportunities within this sector.

Non-housing Community Development Projects

Essex-Middle River Community

Implementation of the Essex-Middle River Conservation Plan - Continue to work with the Essex-Middle River Civic Council, Chamber of Commerce and other groups to implement the recommendations of the plan. Periodic meetings have been scheduled to update community residents on the initiatives of county agencies.

Villages of Tall Trees Community Center - While this center is scheduled to close on June 30, 2000 funds from the State Department of Human Resources in partnership in the Department of Social Services will be targeted to other low-income communities in the area to link residents with services.

Hawthorne - A more intense community development strategy will be developed in this neighborhood of 1500 homes. Juvenile crime, services to families and children, code violations, and housing issues, will be examined and an action plan formulated in cooperation with various county agencies, the community association, and private agencies.

Essex-Middle River Youth and Family Network - Over 30 service providers, schools and residents comprise this network that meets monthly to share resources and promote programs that assist families and children in the area. Steps will be taken to formulate an action plan for possible funding from private sources.

Eastern Boulevard Streetscape - This project designed to improve public safety and enhance the image of the area will move into the construction phase in the spring of 2000. While opposition from several business owners along this corridor had delayed the project, final engineering plans have tried to accommodate as many concerns as feasible as part of this $5 million revitalization project.

Promoting Diversity in Essex-Middle River - A task force comprised of representatives from the community have engaged in a planning process chaired by a community resident and the director of multi-cultural programs at the Community Colleges of Baltimore County (CCBC). The process has generated a greater understanding of the changing demographics in the community and has identified ways to celebrate the diversity within the community. Several action steps have been taken such as using CCBC International students as mentors for students at Mars Estates Elementary School. A Hate Crime forum was also held in conjunction with the Baltimore County Human Relations Commission in January 2000. Plans are being made to offer diversity training with area schools and in the community.

Replacement PAL/Recreation Center - As part of the County Executive's Legislative Agenda for FY2001, funding has been requested to replace the Riverwood PAL Center with a stand-alone center on the Mars Estates Elementary School. This project should be operational by July 2002.

Essex Senior Center - CDBG funding has been allocated to repave and reconfigure the parking lot at the Essex Senior Center.

Kingsley Park - The Kingsley Park Resident Advocate Program (R.A.P.), members of the Chamber of Commerce, Office of Community Conservation staff, the property manager and area residents will implement a mediation and referral program designed to reduce violence within this multi-family housing community.

Dundalk Community

Implementation of the Greater Dundalk Community Plan - The Greater Dundalk Community Conservation Plan has been adopted by the Baltimore County Council as an amendment to the Baltimore County Master Plan. The Greater Dundalk Community Council will monitor the implementation of the plan over the next three years.

West Inverness - This community with over 2500 households is in need of a more intense effort from public and private agencies. Crime in the area continues to decline due in part to a crime prevention grant from the police department and the increase in community involvement. The acquisition of Hidden Cove by Southern Management is also seen as a victory for a community that felt very strongly about retaining market rate rental housing in the neighborhood. Both large-scale management companies - Southern Management and Regional Management - have agreed to partner with the community on a variety of issues. Additional resources for infrastructure improvements have been identified through CDBG and County budgets and will commence in mid-2000. Efforts have been made to identify additional resources for the Sandy Plains Elementary School located in West Inverness.

Dunmanway Beautification Project - As identified in the Greater Dundalk Community Conservation Plan, the Dundalk Village Center, one of the County's first revitalization projects from the 1980's, needs improvements to the parking and general maintenance. A beautification plan has been finalized with the Department of Public Works and the Department of Economic Development to meet the needs of this 80 year-old historic shopping district. This project will increase the number of parking spaces along Dunmanway and provide new lighting and plantings along the Center's southern border. In addition, improvements will be made to curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and roads throughout this commercial center. $340,000 of county funding has been identified for this work.

Alley Reconstruction - This office continues to act as the liaison with the Department of Public Works and residents of the 5th and 7th council districts to get valid petitions on file for alleys rated as terrible.

Old Dundalk Historic District Improvements - $500,000 has been identified in the county's budget to replace sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and storm drains. Phase I is complete and Phase II should be bid and in construction in the fall of 2000.

Southeast Leadership Team - A group comprised of clergy, residents, business leaders, county and non-profit staff meet on a monthly basis to share information and resources. A project is currently underway to improve the effectiveness and marketing of programs for youth in the community.

Colgate - This aging community north of the Eastpoint Mall is exhibiting signs of decline. Thousands of code violations exist as well as a rising crime rate. Efforts will be made over the next year to develop a strategy to reduce the number of code violations and crime in the neighborhood.

Yorkway HotSpot - A small area of Dundalk that includes the Yorkway Apartments, Three Garden Village Apartments and several blocks of investor owned townhomes has been designated by the State of Maryland as a HotSpot. This designation will encourage different agencies, residents, apartment owners and others to work together to stabilize this area. Other HotSpots in the County have experienced decreases in crime and code violations, and better program coordination.

Ateaze Senior Center - $300,000 in improvements have been programmed for FY2001 in the CDBG budget. This funding will allow for interior renovations to occur in this center that serves 1,700 members.

Revised August 22, 2003