Group drafts plan for Baltimore Ave.

Baltimore Avenue has seen better days. And if the plans of Cynthia Brey and Maurice Walden come to fruition, the once proud avenue could be bustling with activity again. Brey and Walden are the founders of Green to Green: Visions for Baltimore Avenue, a project that aims to revitalize and redevelop Baltimore Avenue. Brey, a University alumnus and architect, said Green to Green is planning a design competition in which architects will develop ideas and plans for a new Baltimore Avenue. The Green to Green organization is a collaborative venture between the West Philadelphia Community Development Corporation and Environs Development Group. Green to Green was able to get off the ground after Brey and Walden won a National Endowment of the Arts grant, which currently provides them with $25,000. But the two organizers must also raise between $50,000 and $60,000 in matching funds. The group held a kick-off meeting a few weeks ago, but some community members in attendance became upset because they felt they had not been consulted about the endeavor, according to Alan Levy, a University architecture lecturer. "There was some confusion about purposes and aims of competition and confusion about how much had been decided without [the community's] participation," Levy said. "The community has a long history of things that have failed and they are a bit cynical and with good reason. "At least there was a dialogue going on, even if it was contentious," he added. Brey said she hopes her organization can bring many of the various autonomous community groups like the 52nd Street Business Association, Cedar Park Neighbors, Spruce Hill Neighbors Association and others. "The objective of this design project is to serve as a catalyst for community involvement and neighborhood revitalization," Brey said. The design competition entries will be accepted starting next spring, while the scope of the project will stretch from 38th Street to Cobbs Creek Parkway. There will be several town meetings between now and next spring to get community input, with the next meeting to be held on May 25th. The urban planning and design competition will focus on commercial and residential revitalization, Brey added. The commercial areas will be concentrated in two or three spots between Baltimore and 52nd streets, around 48th Street. Part of the project is also looking at possible community centers in the area, while Levy and other University professors and students are working in a studio designing a community center for 51st and Baltimore streets. Levy stressed that the design study was completely "theoretical" and would probably not be used in the actual design competition. Linda Blythe, president of the Spruce Hill Community Association, said the Green to Green project was a good concept. "I'm very enthusiastic about it," Blythe said. "I think it's a great idea."