Charles Village named one of best neighborhoods in nation
American Planning Association cites community's 'exemplary character'
By Adam Bednar and Larry Perl
Posted 10/14/08
By Adam Bednar
Charles Village was named Oct. 8 as one of the nation’s 10 best neigborhoods by the American Planning Association.
The APA singled out Charles Village for its Great Places in America national program. Also named were downtown Salem, Mass.; downtown Sheridan, Wyom.; Echo Park in Los Angeles; Greater Park Hill in Denver; Greater University Hill, in Syracuse, N.Y.; North End in Boise, Idaho; Old Town in Wichita, Kan.; Society Hill in Philadelphia; and the Village of Mariemont, inOhio.
The north Baltimore neighborhood was cited for its “exemplary character, quality and planning.”
Tre Jerdon, an associate researcher at the American Planning Association, praised the diversity of the neighborhood. Jerdon called the neighborhood a progressive entity and that the Charles Village Benefits District played a large role in the neighborhood being selected for the award.
“It’s been able to successfully manage a decrease in crime and other social concerns since 1994,” the year the benefits district was approved, Jerdon said.
Economic diversity as well as features such as Wyman Park Dell were also considered, she said.
Denny Johnson, a spokesman for the APA, said Charles Village should be an example to neighborhoods nationwide.
He also said the neighborhoods selected are a way of recognizing great communities.
“It’s just to give acknowledgement to planning that does things in this country and here’s an example,” he said.
The 10 winners will be celebrated as part of the APA’s National Community Planning Month in October.
“Congratulations!” 14th District City Councilman Mary Pat Clarke stated in a group e-mail. “I am so proud to represent one of the nation’s top 10 neighborhoods. But then, we knew it all the time. Thanks for such a boost to all of Baltimore City.”
Charles Village was a finalist for the 10 best list last year, Northern District planner Tamara Woods said in a congratulatory group-e-mail. She said a celebration is planned.
“The APA’s recognition tells me we our ‘Team C’Ville’ is on the right track,” said Dana Moore, president of the Charles Village Civic Association, in a group e-mail.
Charles Village is known for Johns Hopkins University’s Homewood campus, Union Memorial Hospital, the Baltimore Museum of Art and Saint Philip and James Church, among other institutions and landmarks.
But the community wages a constant battle against crime. Neighborhood leaders and Northern District police earlier this year started regular crime walks through the neighborhood.
The community has seen a spurt of development. The university built student housing on St. Paul Street and relocating its campus bookstore there. Also, Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse has built a mixed-use complex of market-rate condos and restaurants along St. Paul.
Charles Village was named Oct. 8 as one of the nation’s 10 best neigborhoods by the American Planning Association.
The APA singled out Charles Village for its Great Places in America national program. Also named were downtown Salem, Mass.; downtown Sheridan, Wyom.; Echo Park in Los Angeles; Greater Park Hill in Denver; Greater University Hill, in Syracuse, N.Y.; North End in Boise, Idaho; Old Town in Wichita, Kan.; Society Hill in Philadelphia; and the Village of Mariemont, inOhio.
The north Baltimore neighborhood was cited for its “exemplary character, quality and planning.”
Tre Jerdon, an associate researcher at the American Planning Association, praised the diversity of the neighborhood. Jerdon called the neighborhood a progressive entity and that the Charles Village Benefits District played a large role in the neighborhood being selected for the award.
“It’s been able to successfully manage a decrease in crime and other social concerns since 1994,” the year the benefits district was approved, Jerdon said.
Economic diversity as well as features such as Wyman Park Dell were also considered, she said.
Denny Johnson, a spokesman for the APA, said Charles Village should be an example to neighborhoods nationwide.
He also said the neighborhoods selected are a way of recognizing great communities.
“It’s just to give acknowledgement to planning that does things in this country and here’s an example,” he said.
The 10 winners will be celebrated as part of the APA’s National Community Planning Month in October.
“Congratulations!” 14th District City Councilman Mary Pat Clarke stated in a group e-mail. “I am so proud to represent one of the nation’s top 10 neighborhoods. But then, we knew it all the time. Thanks for such a boost to all of Baltimore City.”
Charles Village was a finalist for the 10 best list last year, Northern District planner Tamara Woods said in a congratulatory group-e-mail. She said a celebration is planned.
“The APA’s recognition tells me we our ‘Team C’Ville’ is on the right track,” said Dana Moore, president of the Charles Village Civic Association, in a group e-mail.
Charles Village is known for Johns Hopkins University’s Homewood campus, Union Memorial Hospital, the Baltimore Museum of Art and Saint Philip and James Church, among other institutions and landmarks.
But the community wages a constant battle against crime. Neighborhood leaders and Northern District police earlier this year started regular crime walks through the neighborhood.
The community has seen a spurt of development. The university built student housing on St. Paul Street and relocating its campus bookstore there. Also, Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse has built a mixed-use complex of market-rate condos and restaurants along St. Paul.
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