I am pleased to be here tonight to talk to you about the future of Dundalk, there are a lot of really great things in the works for the Dundalk community.
Many different factors come into play when a community strives to reach its full potential. Dundalk has room to grow. It has a valuable waterfront, good and improving schools and a valuable community college. There are historic homes and great neighborhoods, and you can see the interest in Dundalk growing everyday.
Dundalk has a dedicated Councilman in John Olszewski. There aren't a lot of politicians who were out shoveling neighbor's mud the day after Isabel, but John was, and he is committed to moving Dundalk forward.
The most important thing working in Dundalk's favor is its people. When residents are interested and active in their community, willing to work hard, to think problems through, and are willing to collaborate among themselves and with government and businesses, great things will happen. This community has a history of active citizenship, and we need everyone to keep it up to reach a full renaissance in Dundalk.
Dundalk came out in force to support the Dundalk UDAT, and through the GDA and other community groups, it has demonstrated the depth of the people's commitment to the community. Baltimore County hears you, and we are working hard every day to help you build the Dundalk everyone wants.
The UDAT process provided us with a roadmap, and an excellent foundation for Dundalk's renaissance. But the ultimate renaissance will come from the community.
In every community, renaissance begins with a look back. To move forward, Dundalk has to identify, and build on, its historic strengths. Dundalk was a mill town and a place where independent people who wanted to work hard and raise children in a safe environment could find good jobs and a strong sense of community.
This is a community where children grew up and started families of their own just a few blocks away, and where people could grow older without having to leave. And Dundalk is a place where people of varied backgrounds, incomes and interests could all live.
Dundalk is all those things, but wants to be even more, and we are all working together to achieve more for the Dundalk community.
In the last two years, we have already seen the start of renaissance in Dundalk. Last year, Cove Point Senior Housing opened, helping people who have lived in Dundalk to stay in Dundalk.
New homes are being built in the Bear Creek and the Stansbury Lakes developments. They will add to the stability of this community.
Baltimore County has broken ground on the Inverness Community Center, and it will open later this year.
We are working on a streetscape for Dundalk Avenue, and expansion of the Heritage Trail network. These are projects that are good for the people who live here, but they will also generate new interest in Dundalk from people who live in other communities.
Certainly, there are challenges that remain, but we are committed to working with the community to meet those challenges, and move forward.
Like you, I am very encouraged by recent reports indicating that there may be some very good news regarding the renaissance of the Seagram's property in the near future. The county is ready, willing and able to work with whoever are the developers as well as with the people in this community to redevelop this important property.
At the same time, members of my staff are working around the clock in an effort to bring together community members and developers with a plan for the Yorkway Apartment complex. We know how important Yorkway is to Dundalk and how important this effort is to the renaissance of Dundalk and to Councilman Olszewski. We hope that together we can develop a plan to transform an area that for too long has been a trouble spot in this community.
When the Urban Design Assistance Team came to Dundalk, they correctly identified the Dundalk Village Shopping Center as the symbolic heart of this community. It is important to you, and it is important to the county.
We understand what this community would like to see happen in the Village Center, and we are working to make it happen. I can tell you that there are people who share your vision for Dundalk Village, who want to see market-rate housing and customer-oriented retail businesses. Positive changes are coming to Dundalk Village.
Dundalk has received the "Mainstreet Maryland" designation from the state. It is an important designation, an acknowledgement of the historic importance of this community. In other years, it might have meant funding for neighborhood improvements, but we all know the condition of the state's finances.
Still, you have gained something useful. The things you've learned about your community through the "Mainstreet Maryland" process have allowed you to make some smart, sophisticated requests.
The community has asked for some changes at the old YMCA building on Dunman Way. The County has hired a consultant to study the building, analyze the available space and the costs associated with rehabilitating the building, and we should get his report by the end of March.
We are working with a group of residents to find the best use for the Dunman Way building, the GDA is represented on that group, and we are looking for community consensus before we make any final decisions. I look forward to collaborating with you to decide the future of that space.
The future of the Merit Point School has already been decided. Letters to agencies housed there have been sent, and when those agencies move the building will come down. In its place, we won't build anything. We are going to expand Merit Point Park, creating more open space for families in Dundalk.
Renaissance has begun in Dundalk. We have identified the many assets of this community, and those assets are beginning to translate into new development and new opportunity. It can be difficult sometimes to believe in projects when you don't see the construction signs. But the renaissance here is real, and change is coming fast.
Just across the city/county line, you can see a template for the renaissance of Dundalk. Imagine being in a room with the residents of Canton in 1990, and describing for them what their community would look like today. For many, it would have sounded too good to be true.
But it happened, and is happening here. The next few years are vital for Dundalk, but you have a great County Councilman, strong community organizations, and the support of county government. With your help and your hard work, Dundalk will reach its potential.
Thank you.
Jim Smith
Revised February 3, 2005
Courthouse 