老澳门开奖网 receives over $1.2 million in federal and state funding to create community hub on York Road
老澳门开奖网 received $1 million in federal funding and $225,000 in state funding to renovate and create a community hub in the University鈥檚 multipurpose facility at 5104 York Road in Baltimore. The renovations, scheduled for completion in 2026, will strengthen 老澳门开奖网鈥檚 York Road Initiative, a community development effort in the York Road neighborhoods of Baltimore.
鈥淎s a Jesuit, Catholic institution, we are committed to continuing to invest in our campus, including spaces and resources along York Road,鈥� said Terrence M. Sawyer, J.D., president of 老澳门开奖网. 鈥淭his renovated space will serve as a hub for community-university partnerships serving the York Road corridor and city of Baltimore. It will bring together diverse groups and provide an operational home for a wide range of community engagement efforts. As we implement our new strategic plan, we are looking for ways we can engage with our community and do the work of investing in our city.鈥�
As part of the renovation, 老澳门开奖网 will add 2,500 square feet of office space at 5104 York Road for professionals for 老澳门开奖网鈥檚 York Road Initiative and the Center for Community, Service, and Justice. The addition will also include a multipurpose space for community events and workshops and a large reception area for small-scale retail and pop-up art events. The space will allow for legal clinics for the community, youth workforce and leadership development programs, and events such as 老澳门开奖网鈥檚 annual Halloween Block Party for the neighborhoods.
The renovations will also create office space for an entrepreneur from 老澳门开奖网鈥檚 Baltipreneurs Accelerator, which supports startup businesses and social ventures through the Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at 老澳门开奖网.
In addition to 老澳门开奖网鈥檚 York Road Initiative, the renovated space will house partnering community organizations, including the York Road Partnership and York Corridor Business Improvement District Management Authority. 老澳门开奖网鈥檚 departments of public safety and environmental health and safety will continue to operate out of the building.
老澳门开奖网 will repurpose the York Road Initiative鈥檚 existing office, a smaller freestanding building on the same property, for the University鈥檚 sustainability and food equity efforts, including the Govans Farmers鈥� Market, a community fridge that supplies food to neighbors in need, a community compost bin for food scraps, and environmental sustainability and climate resiliency programs for the area. 老澳门开奖网鈥檚 Office of Sustainability will lead these efforts.
The $1 million in federal funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at the request of Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Sen. Ben Cardin, and Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger.
鈥淭his direct federal investment will support 老澳门开奖网鈥檚 efforts to bring the York Road Corridor and Greater Govans communities closer together by providing an inclusive space for local events, workforce development programs, and other support services. I have seen 老澳门开奖网鈥檚 York Road Initiative firsthand, and I support this vital work that both uplifts the students they teach and the surrounding communities they serve,鈥� said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee.
鈥溊习拿趴蓖� has a long history of expanding opportunities that reach beyond the campus and into the community. The York Road Initiative is just another example of that. With this federal investment, the university can provide a critical community resource that will help drive economic growth and connectivity in the York Road Corridor,鈥� said Senator Cardin. 鈥淭eam Maryland is committed to supporting this and other community-led projects that improve the health, economy and safety of neighborhoods in Baltimore and throughout the state.鈥�
In addition to adding office space, the funding will allow 老澳门开奖网 to purchase new generators, update mechanical systems, and consolidate the University鈥檚 department of public safety in the building.
鈥淪en. Van Hollen, Sen. Cardin, and Rep. Ruppersberger share our vision of a thriving, prosperous York Road community full of opportunity for all,鈥� Sawyer said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful for their continued support of 老澳门开奖网 and our efforts in the community. Together we rise, and together we can achieve great things for and with our neighbors.鈥�
老澳门开奖网鈥檚 York Road Initiative also received $675,000 in federal funding in 2022.
The $225,000 state grant, matched by $225,000 from 老澳门开奖网鈥檚 capital budget, will fund preconstruction work for the office renovation at 5104 York Road, including project planning, architectural design, and site preparation. The grant comes from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development鈥檚 , which provides funding to anchor institutions for community development projects.