Strengths

Transportation (bus @ Mondawmin, subway, etc.)

Education (Pre-K to grad school all in the area, programs around the school)

Homeownership (some really strong blocks)

All vacant lots have been adopted by the community organization

Community partnerships, faith-based organizations, TouchPoint, very active community organizations like RWCCO and GMCC, 30+ programs within the school

Within walking distance to jobs and shopping/grocery

Center for Urban Families - jobs/training/GED/more

Accessible hospitals

History (Coppin, Douglass, etc.)

Close to Druid Hill Park and Hanlon Park

Relatively low crime rate

Long-term residents

Weaknesses

Vacant homes/irresponsible owners (2000 block of Smallwood and 2100 block of Ridgehill)

Historic disinvestment

Not a lot of young people moving in

Always mentioned as the epicenter of the Freddie Gray uprising

Some negative activity around the mall

Unoccupied/heir properties with little value in preservation

Lack of investment on North Avenue

Problematic liquor establishments

No place for kids to go/no safe recreation areas

Opportunities

E.M.A.G.E. Center on the 2100 block of W. North Avenue (job skills, employment, entrepreneurship, youth focus)

Walbrook Mill on the 2700 block of W. North Avenue (employment, retail, housing)

North Avenue Rising streetscape

Increased homeownership

School, baseball field

Focus on blocks with few vacancies to get them occupied

Improvements on maintained vacant lots

DHCD to acquire privately owned lots on the north side of the 2100 block of Herbert Street

Marketing strategy - owner occupants that want to send kids to the new RWCES

Block projects

Increase property values

Alley beautification (e.g. 2100 block of N. Smallwood Street)

Upgrade "Quiet Park" behind the 2000 block of N. Smallwood Street)

RWCES SWO Analysis.pdfSWO Notes_photos