New Housing Community - Renaissance Square
Unprecedented Control Given to Area Citizens in Planning for the New Community

Towson, Md. (October 8, 2009)—Today, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, Council Chair Joseph Bartenfelder, Councilman John Olszewski Sr., Enterprise Homes, Inc. and the Mark Building Company cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the model homes at Renaissance Square, a new green housing community in Middle River. Renaissance Square will have 115 for-sale homes and 81 apartments for seniors. The models homes will be open for the public to tour beginning Friday, October 9, at 11 a.m. and thereafter from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The sales center is located at 15 St. Stephen's Lane, off of Old Eastern Avenue. 

"Renaissance Square is a new chapter in the history of this community. When we talk about renaissance, we talk about local business people and neighborhood residents taking ownership of their communities and engaging in partnerships with government to preserve the best of their community's past while securing the promise of a future that benefits everyone. That is Renaissance Square," said County Executive Smith.

Former Kingsley Park

The significance of Renaissance Square is that Essex/Middle River residents were able to participate in the planning of the new development that best represented the community's vision. Renaissance Square is the site of the former Kingsley Park Apartments. Built over 60 years ago, the deteriorated Kingsley Park become renown for violent crime and drug activity. In 2003, the police received over 1,800 calls about the 312-unit Kingsley Park Apartments.

In 2004, Baltimore County acquired the Kingsley Park Apartments from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation assisted in moving Kingsley Park residents into safe housing before the County demolished the complex. 

After Kingsley Park was razed, Baltimore County began the process of a community-based redevelopment of the nearly 18-acre property. Area residents were invited to participate in a series of workshops facilitated by Design Collective, Inc and the Office of Community Conservation. The workshops - called a charrette - were the first demonstration of Smith's Renaissance Redevelopment Pilot Program, which gives the community unprecedented control over development of specific sites designated by the County Council. From the charrette, a plan was developed and approved by community members for the new development. The Enterprise/Mark Building Joint Venture was the developer selected to implement the community's vision. 

Renaissance Square

The vision of the community residents who participated in the charrette included a place where a variety of people of varying lifestyles, ages, and incomes could live in a safe, affordable, well-maintained and attractive neighborhood. When developed, Renaissance Square will feature a mix of housing styles; improved vehicular and pedestrian connectivity into and through the community; a network of short, walkable streets, green space and community gathering points. In short, Renaissance Square.

Even the name of the development, Renaissance Square, came out of community input. Through a community naming contest, a long-time resident of Essex submitted the name Renaissance Square, which was ultimately selected.  

"It is imperative that those who work in Baltimore County be able to live in Baltimore County," said County Council Chair Joseph Bartenfelder. "I congratulate the community members who participated in the planning process to help create this transformation of the neighborhood."

"I remember the day the buildings in Kingley Park came down," said County Councilman John Olszewski Sr. "Renaissance Square is a major victory for working class families in Baltimore County."

Features

Renaissance Square will consist of 48 townhouses and 67 detached homes ranging in size from 1,400 square feet to 2,500 square feet, including full basements. Most homes will also have a one-car garage. All homes will feature the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria for environmentally sustainable housing. Renaissance Square will include a variety of green design features such as green label carpet, energy-efficient HVAC systems, Energy Star appliances and heat- and drought-tolerant landscaping.

The developer is the Enterprise/Mark Building Joint Venture. Enterprise Homes, Inc. is an experienced regional developer of affordable and market-rate homes and rental communities. Mark Building Company is a local home builder related to several generations of homebuilders in the Baltimore area. The joint venture also developed the nearby Waterview community.  

"Enterprise was founded to link financing, technical expertise and development to create housing for people from all walks of life," said Chickie Grayson, president and CEO of Enterprise Homes, Inc. "I am proud of the partnership with the Baltimore County Executive's Office and Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation, the state of Maryland and the Essex-Middle River community to make this environmentally sustainable new neighborhood a reality for local families and seniors."

The three-story rental property at Renaissance Square, Evergreen, will consist of 81 one- and two-bedroom units for seniors over age 62. The Evergreen Senior Apartments Limited Partnership, a venture of Enterprise Housing Corporation, is the developer of the rental property.

Renaissance Square will be developed in three phases. Phase I is currently under construction with the first homes to be ready by early December. Some homes are priced to be affordable to reserved for persons within certain income categories. Special financing will be available to buyers to make homes more affordable or assist with closing costs. The Evergreen apartment building is under construction and expected to be complete by late November 2009. Applications are now being taken for eligible seniors.

More Information

To learn more about home ownership or rental properties at Renaissance Square, contact the sale office at 410-780-6006.