Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street will host a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 12:30pm for its new office and welcome center at 1829 Pennsylvania Avenue Baltimore, MD 21217. The ribbon cutting ceremony is open to all community members who wish to celebrate and learn more about revitalization of the historic Pennsylvania Avenue.
The new office and welcome center will serve as a hub for community engagement, providing resources and information about ongoing and future revitalization efforts. The space will be used to support small business development and growth along the corridor. It aims to be a space where residents, business owners, and visitors can come together to support the growth and development of the neighborhood.
Speakers at the event will include:
Hon. Brandon Scott, Mayor of Baltimore City
Charlyn Nader, Director, Baltimore City Main Streets Program
Robert Thomas, Manager, Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street
Darroll Cribb, Board Chair, Upton Planning Committee
Kelly Little, Development Consultant, Upton Planning Committee
Jennifer Goold, Executive Director, Neighborhood Design Center
Dean Harrison, Harrison Development
“The revitalization of this historical community is our primary focus as we strive to build capacity. This landmark will stand as a cornerstone for the future of the Pennsylvania Ave Main Street corridor, and as the Director, I am privileged to witness its transformation into reality,”says Charlyn Nater, Director of Baltimore Main Streets.
Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street is one of nine main streets in Baltimore City. The Baltimore Main Streets Program uplifts local businesses, provides them with developmental resources, and spotlights neighborhoods throughout the City. The Baltimore Main Street program follows the Main Street America approach centered around transformation strategies organized as four points: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.
“Our partners at Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street represent a commercial corridor that reflects the deep African American history in West Baltimore. The intentionality of their work will continue to facilitate change,” explained Chris Lundy, Director of The Mayor’s Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy and Development. “This new space will serve as a beacon and inspire the community to join them in their vital community revitalization efforts.”
Main Street programs have a proven track record of revitalizing neighborhoods by leveraging local assets to promote economic development and community engagement. Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street is part of a nationwide initiative aimed at transforming historic districts and commercial corridors into vibrant centers of commerce and culture.
Historically, Pennsylvania Avenue was a bustling commercial and entertainment district. It was the place to be for the latest in music and nightlife, often referred to as Baltimore’s version of Harlem. The corridor was also home to numerous businesses and social clubs that catered to the African American community, fostering a strong sense of identity and pride.
“This project is a shining example of how reinvestment and collaboration can breathe new life into historic districts while honoring its rich cultural heritage. The Pennsylvania Avenue Welcome Center will not only enhance the cultural fabric of the area but also stimulate economic development. We are proud to be part of this initiative that celebrates Baltimore’s storied past while paving the way for a bright future.” Jen Goold Executive Director, Neighborhood Design Center.
“ It has been an honor for Harrison Development to have worked with the Upton Planning Committee in the development of the Historic Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street Welcome Center” Says Dean Harrison of Harrison Development, “This new project will enhance the vibrant, positive energy along the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor.”
About Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street
Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street is dedicated to revitalizing the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor by supporting local businesses, promoting sustainable development, and preserving the area’s cultural heritage. It’s mission is to create a vibrant, thriving community through beautification, economic growth, and community engagement.
About Upton Planning Committee
The Historic Upton Neighborhoods, comprised of six community associations, are an assembly of mixed-use historic neighborhoods just north of downtown Baltimore City. Upton is composed of single-family and multi-family homes in its residential areas as well as offices and businesses along the Pennsylvania Avenue corridor. Once a thriving hub of African American culture and commerce and home to a flourishing middle class community, Upton has lost many of the places and people that made it sustainable.