dopkick t1_itcqwx5 wrote
Reply to comment by blooperduper33 in Can Baltimore vacant properties provide housing for new immigrants? by bearjew64
For now, yes - bulldoze them and turn them into open spaces with local plants for pollinators. There is plenty of housing stock that is not in the absolute worst possible areas that can be rehabbed for a fraction of the cost and with a fraction of the challenges.
This will also, hopefully, alleviate some of the burden on maintaining public services in these areas. We have water/sewer/gas/etc. in place for a population over double Baltimore's actual population and it's all aging. Low pressure gas lines are being replaced with medium pressure lines because the old lines have corroded to where they are full of holes that are plugged by dirt.
Unlike many other cities, Baltimore is NOT in high demand and land does not command a premium value. There is plenty of supply, even if there is a large spike in demand. We don't need ambitious programs to rehab the absolute worst blocks in the city.
Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments