The Essex Reimagined initiative (ERI) is County Executive Johnny Olszewski’s multi-departmental, place-based, data driven, revitalization and recovery initiative in the Essex community. In 2021, Olszewski announced plans to develop Baltimore County’s first place-based initiative to:
- Support the Essex community’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic
- Combat long-standing historical challenges, including public safety, code enforcement and access to recreational spaces
- Bring together existing County programs active in Essex, as well as create new programs focused on Essex
- Facilitate collaboration between County and local community leaders, private partners, business leaders and residents to achieve improvement with the overall quality of life in Essex
- Provide transformative change, coordinated planning and dedicated resources needed to help empower residents and address social and economic disparities
Goals and Achievements
The Olszewski administration has leveraged over $3 million in federal American Rescue Plan funds to support this ongoing initiative which, to date, has included efforts such as:
- Partnering with and supporting the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce efforts for the establishment of the Essex Community Development Corporation, to lead the way for a flourishing Main Street and revitalizing the much-needed business community on the Eastern Avenue corridor.
- Engaging in partnership with Roca Baltimore, a youth violence intervention program now in Essex, to aid in the reduction of juvenile crime.
- Provided high-quality trash carts for a cleaner community. This pilot program for residential trash pickup has improved quality of life for residents. To this effort, Code Enforcement interaction has been increased with derelict properties and expanded vermin abatement efforts.
- Increased food program support in the community at the Eastpoint and Franklin Square Hospital’s FoodRx program.
- Providing streetscaping and roadway improvements on the Eastern Boulevard business corridor as well as support for planning and design for a multi-year bridge and sidewalk project. These endeavors will increase economic health and growth.
- Increasing safety on Eastern Avenue by support of the Lighting and Camera Business Installation Project.
- With the Ripken Foundation, supported the first Baltimore County project to install a turf field at Renaissance Park.
- Funded the Hiring of a Domestic Violence Specialist at the Department of Health and Human Services and a social worker at the Essex Library.
- Providing and distributing a community input survey (en español) for residents to inform the initiative of needs and concerns in the community.
- Partnered with the Essex Chesapeake Feeder Pattern Community Schools with the 2023 Community Connections Fair—a first-of-its-kind event that has fostered relationship building and enhanced resource access—that brought health and community resources into the community. The second annual fair is scheduled for 2024.
Contact Information
To learn more or to volunteer, email ERI Coordinator Tucker Cavanagh at tcavanagh@baltimorecountymd.gov.