The Latest news At WNADA - Winter 2024 Edition
Winter 2024
The winter season is upon us, bringing another season of growth and change. We are excited to reflect on the past year and the progress achieved through the West North Avenue Development Authority’s work. This past year, WNADA has provided more than 9.5 million in capital to assist the projects focused on residential, commercial, public safety, transportation, and neighborhood development activities in West Baltimore. WNADA is committed to building a better future for West Baltimore neighborhoods. The collaboration, determination and ingenuity of our FY 24 awardees bring a sense of hope and opportunity.
On behalf of our Board of Directors, neighborhood residents and the WNADA team, we look forward to a new year of economic growth and possibilities for West Baltimore. We wish you a healthy and prosperous 2025!
In Service,
Chad Williams
Executive Director, WNADA
Neighborhoods Working Together
The West North Avenue Development Authority's Resident Coordinating Council empowers residents, business owners, and stakeholders by giving them a voice in West Baltimore's operations and activities.
RFP Grant Awardees
Neighborhood organizations were invited to hear and share feedback with WNADA’s 2024 grant awardees:
List of Services
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The Graham ProjectList Item 1
Conduct site pre-planning, facilitate community engagement, finalize intersection re-design, submit permit approvals, and install safety and accessibility at the intersection and pedestrian right-of-way of West North Avenue/Druid Hill Avenue.
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Midtown Community Fund
Design and construction for redesigning Bus Stop, crosswalk, and park at the southeast corner of W North Ave. and Park Ave
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Frontline Management Team
Unarmed public safety, cleaning, and violence intervention at W North Avenue and Pennsylvania Ave intersection (including 2 blocks W, N, E, and S of intersection)., and 3100 - 3200 W North Avenue.
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Visionary Venture Group
Residential Development for homeownership in the designated Live@Coppin Focus area. Citywide Youth Development Redevelop 4 vacant and blighted residential/commercial properties located at 2132 W. North Avenue.
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Blank Slate
Redevelopment of 2636 W. North Avenue into a commercial office building at 2636 W. North Avenue
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Charm City Builders
Residential Development for homeownership in the designated Live@Coppin Focus area. Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation
Redevelopment of 2636 W. North Avenue into a mixed-use light industrial, commercial, retail, and green space site with a makers-space facility and custom-designed industrial kitchen building
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Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation
Residential development in the 2700 – 2900 block of West North Avenue
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Druid Heights Community Development Corporation
Redevelop 9 single-family homes for homeownership in the 2200 block of Druid Hill Avenue
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Rebirth Development
Residential development in the 2700 – 2900 block of West North Avenue
Commercial Tenants Wanted
Finding ideal commercial tenants can be challenging, but it is critical to the success of your property. Let WNADA help.
If you own a commercial property in West Baltimore and are looking for tenants to activate your space, please email Selisa Jefferson, our economic development officer, at selisa@wnada.org.
Please include your name, the property address, and contact information.
Improving Safety For Pedestrians And Transit Access
As part of WNADA’s Transportation strategy, Graham Projects will partner with neighborhood, City, and State stakeholders to redesign and analyze safety, accessibility, and placemaking services at the W. North & Druid Hill Avenue Intersection.
This demonstration area will be the first re-designed intersection to enhance pedestrian visibility and transit accessibility through bus platforms, bump-puts, and more.
The project team hosted a site walk with local stakeholders to explore where the planned improvements will occur and discuss how they will improve the area.
Small Space, Big Impact Unity@Park
The small space renovation will make a massive movement for the residents and transit users at the corner of W. North Avenue and Park. The park renovation will include crosswalk murals, improved green space, and an attractive area for transit users.
The project is moving steadily closer to breaking ground. The Midtown Community Benefits District is searching for qualified landscape architects and construction firms to assist with the design implementation. The project anticipates breaking ground by January 2025, with completion in Spring 2025.
GO WEST! - Growing Opportunities
Growing Opportunities by Widening Economic Sustainability through Transformation. The GO WEST program aims to assist business owners who pursue WNADA's Request for Qualifications but are unsuccessful and need more support for the next application round.
WNADA, in partnership with Innovation Works, provides this free program, which covers grant writing, MBE/WBE certification, marketing plans, and business financial literacy.
Have You Seen?
The EMAGE Center is getting a new face, thanks to a significant investment of over $$$ by the owner. This is a testament to the commitment to creating a vibrant garment and maker center for West Baltimore.
Renovations to the space now feature an outdoor patio with unique concrete columns, creating a safe and attractive dining area. Stop by to try a tasty treat from the Frozen Desert Sobert and Café at 1331 W. North Avenue.
Stockton Space Love
Green Space Love
Formerly the epicenter of the 2015 Civil Unrest, the Stockton Street Park project aims to bring transformative change to the Penn North neighborhood by creating a safe, accessible green space that invites community reinvestment opportunities.
Members of the community in partnership with Parks and People participated in a “Community Design Day” for the redevelopment of Stockton Street Park in the Penn North neighborhood. The meeting was held at the Pennsylvania Avenue branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Residents shared feedback on the mural design and custom gating for the park.
Outdoor Movie Night At Herbert Street Park
Students and families from Robert W. Coleman and Gwynns Falls Elementary School joined the neighborhoods for an outdoor movie night and spelling bee at Herbert Street Park. As part of Baltimore City Recreation and Park’s Rhythm and Reels program, neighbors brought chairs and blankets and enjoyed watching “Akeelah and the Bee.”
Big thanks to the Robert W Coleman Community Association, Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council, Citywide Youth Development and Concierge Catering, LLC for their support and partnership with this event. Walking tacos, hotdogs, popcorn, lemonade
Comprehensive Plan - Final Meeting Series
Great Community Turnout for the West North Avenue Comprehensive Plan Meeting. We appreciate everyone who attended WNADA's last round of community involvement meetings on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Your attendance and engagement helped create the Comprehensive Revitalization Plan for West North Avenue. Over the past two years, WNADA has engaged in and facilitated numerous interactive community interaction sessions to collect insights and suggestions for the West North Avenue Comprehensive Revitalization Plan.
This Plan is the first all-encompassing document ever developed for the 16 resource-abundant yet under-resourced neighborhoods along the West North Avenue corridor. We value the constructive, enthusiastic, and upbeat energy that was exchanged. Collaboration with the community is crucial and the foundation of our project.
This concluding planning event will feature a presentation of conceptual visual renderings created by Quinn Evans, a Maryland-based firm honored with the 2024 American Institute of Architects award.
The renderings envision our community's vibrant and sustainable future and incorporate community comments from meetings over the past two years.
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The West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA), a State of Maryland economic development agency for Baltimore City. The agency was established to create a comprehensive plan for housing, economic, transportation, and neighborhood development along West North Avenue between 600 - 3200 Block, defined as the Target Area, and 250 yards surrounding the Target Area, defined as the Buffer Zone.
