The Woodberry neighborhood’s request for local historic district designation will have its first hearing in front of the Baltimore City Commission For Historical & Architectural Preservation (CHAP) on October 8, 2019. This is an essential step in protecting the historic character of the neighborhood that recently saw the startling demolition of two stone houses from the 1840s.
Upcoming Hearing: On December 10, 2019, Preservation Maryland will join community members and local preservation groups to offer testimony in support of the designation at the CHAP hearing, and we encourage anyone who is interested to come testify in support of this important designation.
In May of 2019, neighbors witnessed the abrupt demolition of two of the most historic buildings in the Woodberry area of Baltimore City. The demolition of the stone houses, which date to the 1840s, was first proposed in 2018. In reaction, there was overwhelming local opposition, which prompted the assurances of the developer to identify opportunities to integrate the historic structure into the design of the new construction proposed for the site. Despite those public assurances and conceptual designs, the structures were demolished without public notice and conducted without meeting the basic safety standards required in these situations to control hazardous materials.
In the face of this tragedy, the Woodberry community worked with local historic preservation groups including Preservation Maryland, and decided that the best way to protect their neighborhood from further destruction in the name of development was to seek local historic district designation.
The importance of local historic districts in preserving the historic fabric of our neighborhoods cannot be overstated. While the National Register Districts off the prestige of national historical significance and the opportunity to take advantage of historic tax credit, it is the local designation that provides real teeth in protecting historic structures from demolition and thoughtless development.
Contact CHAP to Support the Designation