Hopkins Giving $10M To University Neighborhoods

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A local project aimed at revitalizing some area neighborhoods gets some big bucks from Johns Hopkins University.

Christie Ileto has more on what this means for those living around the Homewood campus.

The university says they will give $10 million to the Homewood area projects. Money that will directly revamp ten neighborhoods in the surrounding area, including Charles Village.

"Johns Hopkins is committing $10 million," said JHU President Ronald Daniels.

Members of the Homewood Community Partners Initiative and nearby neighborhoods will soon decide which community projects get a piece of the $10 million pie.

"People are excited about the possibilities," said Carl Stokes, District 12.

Possibilities to eliminate dilapidated properties and bring small businesses to the area that, in turn, create jobs. But the money will be more than just a face lift for those neighborhoods.

"The neighborhoods will become safer when there are more opportunities for young people," Stokes said. "It becomes safer when we have the vacants no longer just boarded up. Where residents become homeowners, where small  business can begin to grow, the commerce starts to take place. That will make the neighborhoods safer."

Student residents agree.

"I like Charles Village a lot. It's a little bit dangerous and I know that a lot of students feel uncomfortable, but I think if we could just make the neighborhood a little bit more safe, it would be really nice," said Matt Strayer.

It's a project that city leaders say will ultimately improve all city neighborhoods but starts in North Baltimore.

"We don't rise and fall apart, we rise and fall together. So this corridor of neighborhoods will help this entire city to grow," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

The university has also given $2.5 million toward a city project to rebuild North Charles Street.

The university also hopes to get more funding from other institutions interested in the areas around Homewood.