Olszewski Announces New Initiative Focused on Essex Commercial Revitalization

March 31, 2022

TOWSON, MD — Towson, MD—The Baltimore County Department of Planning and the Eastern Baltimore County Task Force (EBCTF), along with the Urban Land Institute (ULI), will convene a Technical Assistance Panel (TAP(link is external)) from April 4-6 to develop creative, actionable solutions to complex structural and economic development challenges in Essex.

“We are fully committed to a successful recovery and revitalization effort in the Essex community, one of the areas hit especially hard by the pandemic,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski. “This technical assistance panel is a critical piece of County and community collaboration efforts, which we hope leads to a boost in economic activity, reduced crime and an overall improvement in quality of life.”

The EBCTF, a volunteer committee of the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce, works with Baltimore County and the State of Maryland to help revitalize the Essex Commercial District(link is external). Over the last five years, the EBCTF has worked to reduce trash, graffiti, and rat infestation; spearheaded beautification projects, including banners, flowers and now a new sculpture; and begun several community efforts such as the Essex Farmers’ Market, a storefront façade program and a commercial security camera reimbursement program.

Now, the Task Force, in partnership with Baltimore County, is embarking on an exciting new strategic planning initiative to help continue to focus on Eastern Blvd. and take efforts to the next level.

“Task Force members are very excited to welcome to Essex the technical experts from ULI. We are looking forward to their guidance and ultimately a cohesive, detailed plan of action for the revitalization and redevelopment of the Essex commercial district,” said Sharon Kihn, Chamber Executive Director and EBCTF Program Manager. “We wish to thank County Executive Olszewski and Baltimore County’s Department of Planning for their support and leadership in bringing this important initiative to fruition.”

The TAP will include industry experts, including architects, engineers, developers, planners, and financial analysts, who will tour Eastern Blvd., meet with key stakeholders and share their findings, conclusions and implementable recommendations.
Key focus areas will include:
 

  • Comprehensive visioning
  • Commercial revitalization
  • Creating a sense of place/branding
  • Public policy strategies and changes
  • Traffic issues

The TAP process provides a number of community participation opportunities:

  • Individuals can complete an Online Feedback Survey(link is external) by April 8, 2022.
  • Interviews with business owners and community leaders will be conducted on April 4, 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • A public meeting will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. on April 4, 2022, at the Eastern Yacht Club, 2330 Seneca Road, Essex, MD
  • A public presentation will be held on April 6, 2022 at 5:30 p.m., at the Eastern Yacht Club

Spanish interpretation services will be provided at both the public meeting and the public presentation. Visit the Essex Technical Assistance Panel webpage(link is external) for more information.

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