ReBUILD Metro is launching the Mura Street Homes project, the next phase in Johnston Square’s community-driven revitalization. Over 75 Johnston Square residents, partners, and supporters gathered on Wednesday on the 700 block of Mura Street to celebrate the beginning of the redevelopment.
Through its Mura Street Homes project, ReBUILD Metro will convert 18 blighted rowhouses into 10 new homes for sale, helping rid the block of the vacancy that has caused problems for decades.
“Instead of tearing these homes down or replacing them, we are leading from the community’s vision and asking what this block can become if we preserve what is wonderful about it—not only for us but for our children,” said Sean Closkey, President of ReBUILD Metro, in a statement. “We are not just rebuilding some of the houses on this block; we are rebuilding the entire block, because that is what the community wants and needs. This project involves all of Baltimore coming together to rebuild a community for all.”
The project is a $5.5 million venture that will create 10 new homeownership opportunities for the community. It will combine 16 adjoining abandoned rowhouses into eight new double-wide homes. It will rebuild another two abandoned rowhouses to their original size. The final three abandoned rowhouses will be demolished to provide parking needs for the block’s new and long-time residents.
The Mura Street Homes project is part of a block-by-block revitalization strategy ReBUILD is implementing in partnership with neighborhood leaders and community members. ReBUILD has restored 45 of Johnston Square’s abandoned houses into new homeownership and rental opportunities. The resulting progress reduced the vacancy rate in Johnston Square to below 15% for the first time in decades.
“We know change takes time,” said Regina Hammond, Executive Director of Rebuild Johnston Square Neighborhood Organization, in a statement. “Mura Street used to be a dumping ground, so as a community, we came out and swept the street, cleaned the street, created a garden, and painted the boards on these houses. We knew our prayer was going to be answered and this neighborhood was going to be revitalized, and I am so grateful that our hard work is paying off and change is coming to Mura Street.”
Mura Street Homes received significant support from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Homeownership Works program, a pilot program that informed the department’s current statewide UPLIFT program. Individuals, families, and foundations have also supported the project.
“We are interested in people, a place, and a plan,” said Carol Gilbert, Maryland Housing Assistant Secretary, in a statement. “The people of Johnston Square have been amazing, we know the value of their place, and they have a great plan and a model that can be replicated across the city: returning rebuilt vacant houses to new homeowners, but doing so in a way that benefits the legacy residents that have been here for decades, helps them to stay in place as long as they wish, and raises their home values.”
