New Initiative Aims to Transform West Baltimore Into An 'Innovation Village'
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—A new initiative aims to transform Baltimore into an "innovation village".
It's a push to transform a West Baltimore community that has faced decades of hardships.
"We're here for an amazing opportunity that's going to be a true game changer for many west Baltimoreans," said Councilman Nick Mosby.
The goal is to make 6.8 square miles of West Central Baltimore into a smart city with free WiFi and access to jobs and opportunities.
It will stretch from Coppin State University to Maryland Institute College of Art, and north from Mondawmin Mall to Martin Luther King Boulevard. Penn North will serve as the "village center", officials say.
"If people are looking for jobs, they're going to have to do it in a convenient way," said Michael Cryor, One Baltimore. "If our young people are doing their homework in the evening, they cannot keep doing it on their parent's smart phones. They need access to connectivity, they need access to what changes the world."
The free Wi-Fi could aid this community in need.
"There used to be a time where, if you could not read you would be in trouble. Today, if you don't have access to the Wi-Fi, you are in big trouble," said Congressman Elijah Cummings.
There is also access to technology, jobs, training, education and food.
"It's what we tell and what we put in our children's heads and we tell them they can achieve, and by bringing them opportunity, we can make that happen," said Steve McAdams, Executive Director, Governor's Office of Community Initiatives.
Another goal is to lure more start-up companies to the area. In turn, providing more jobs to folks who call central West Baltimore home and more motivation children growing up here.
"Our children are the living messages we send to a future we will never see. The question always is, how will we send them," said Cummings.
Officials say the plan won't happen overnight but it will happen as long as we as a community work together.
The vision for "innovation village" was announced back in January.
