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Mission Statement
The mission of Baltimore Unity Hall, Inc., a non-profit, charitable organization, is to promote the social welfare and economic development of the underserved communities of Central West Baltimore; to support, strengthen and promote community assets by maintaining an inclusive culture and physical space, and to provide cultural, historic, educational, job training, and health and wellness services.
The redevelopment of the Unity Hall at 1505 Eutaw Place into a Center for Community Arts, Education and Training is being undertaken collaboratively with community input to create a common vision and commitment to serve the needs of the surrounding communities in Central West Baltimore. The Unity Hall is intended to break down barriers that have traditionally divided the community and to build a healthy, safe neighborhood for all, by providing offices and working spaces for organizations offering programs beneficial to the community.
The Memorial Apartments Corporation (MAC), a 501c3 non-profit entity owns the building and has signed a development agreement with Somerset Development Company, LLC to acquire, renovate and transform this vacant and deteriorating building (formerly owned by the Empowerment Temple) into a Center for Community Arts, Education and Job-Training. Once renovations are complete in the fall of 2021, the Unity Hall will bring neighbors together from the surrounding communities of Bolton Hill, Madison Park, and Upton through cultural and educational activities, community services, and job-training programs. Affordable office spaces for community-oriented programs will provide such services as after school programming, employment training, mental health services, support to single mothers and referrals. A new commercial kitchen will provide catering operations as a vehicle for on-the-job culinary arts and hospitality training. An auditorium and other common spaces will provide a venue for community meetings, musical events, art exhibits, and educational programs. In addition, artist studios and co-working spaces will be available.
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Project Timeline
January 2019
In partnership with Somerset Development Company, LLC, MAC--a neighborhood 501c3-- purchased the former Empowerment Temple which was vacant and distressed with plans transform the building into a Center for Community Arts, Education and Job Training.
Spring 2019
Outreach to local nonprofit organizations began to identify interested partners. A neighborhood Vision Session was hosted at Pedestal Gardens Apartments in June with standing room only. A Baltimore Union Hall Advisory Board meeting made up of representatives of MAC, key Anchor Tenants, community engagement organizers as well as staff from the development team was formed.
Summer-Fall 2019
The development team hired Ziger Snead Architects to draw up plans for interior demolition and to remove hazardous materials which were completed in October. Schematic Design drawings were complete in early November.
Fall 2019
Community outreach continued with Union Hall Advisory Board members attending meetings with the Bolton Hill Community Association, Upton Planning Committee, and Madison Park Improvement Association. Listening sessions with neighborhood residents are conducted.
Local Hiring Program developed in concert with Southway Builders, the BUH Advisory Board and other stakeholders to assure residents of Central West Baltimore participate in anticipation of new construction jobs associated with the redevelopment of the Unity Hall
November 23, 2019
Community event at the Y at 1609 Druid Hill Avenue brings neighbors together to discuss the Center for Community Arts, Education, and Job Training at the Unity Hall.
March 2020
Branding Workshop with Community Stakeholders.
Spring/Summer 2020
Construction documents were finalized and a value engineering exercise with Southway was concluded.
Covid-19 pandemic strikes the United States and general lock down stalls the forward movement of the economy, including planning on the Unity Hall. Despite the slowdown, the development team and the Advisory Board continue to work virtually.
August 2020
Seven Letters of Intent from key community stakeholders are signed and sent to the development team.
November/December 2021
Local Hiring outreach begins pending financial commitments in place
Early 2021
Anticipated construction start
Fall/Winter 2021
Expected completion and lease up of the Unity Hall. BUH, Inc. signs Master lease with MAC to manage and oversee the building.
community events
Vision Session
Baltimore Unity Hall Listening Session
Baltimore Unity Hall Listening Session
Pedestal Gardens Apartments
325 McMechen St, Baltimore, MD 21217
June 12, 2019
Baltimore Unity Hall Listening Session
Baltimore Unity Hall Listening Session
Baltimore Unity Hall Listening Session
Pedestal Gardens Apartments
325 McMechen St., Baltimore, MD 21217
October 30th, 2019
The Unity Hall Inaugural Community Gathering: Food, Music, Fellowship, Community Outreach
The Unity Hall Inaugural Community Gathering: Food, Music, Fellowship, Community Outreach
The Unity Hall Inaugural Community Gathering: Food, Music, Fellowship, Community Outreach
The Y
1609 Druid Hill Ave, Baltimore, MD 21217
November 23, 2019
Interactive Branding Workshop
The Unity Hall Inaugural Community Gathering: Food, Music, Fellowship, Community Outreach
The Unity Hall Inaugural Community Gathering: Food, Music, Fellowship, Community Outreach
Memorial Episcopal Church
1407 Bolton Street, Baltimore, MD 21217
March 11, 2020
partners
The Community Builders
BOND: Building our Nation's Daughters
BOND: Building our Nation's Daughters
The Community Builders is a leading nonprofit real estate developer that owns or manages more than 11,000 quality apartments. Our business, infrastructure and community program investments help make neighborhoods work for people of all incomes.
https://www.tcbinc.org
BOND: Building our Nation's Daughters
BOND: Building our Nation's Daughters
BOND: Building our Nation's Daughters
Building Our Nation’s Daughters works to engage, mentor, and build single mothers in Baltimore to cultivate positive mother-daughter relationships, strengthen single-mother families, and lead advocacy efforts to ensure every single mother household has equitable access to opportunities.
http://www.mdbond.org/
No Boundaries Coalition
BOND: Building our Nation's Daughters
Maryland Center for Hospitality Training
The No Boundaries Coalition is a resident-led advocacy organization building a unified and empowered Central West Baltimore across the boundaries of race, class, and neighborhood.
Maryland Center for Hospitality Training
Maryland Center for Hospitality Training
Maryland Center for Hospitality Training
The mission of The Maryland Center for Hospitality Training is to create a learning environment for Maryland residents to acquire customer service skills, and to gain and sustain employment in the gaming, hospitality, and related service industries. Our sole purpose is to offer an opportunity to provide direct support, development and leadership in customer service to the workforce of Maryland residents seeking employment in a select professional field.
Single Carrot Theatre
Maryland Center for Hospitality Training
Single Carrot Theatre
Single Carrot Theatre creates socially relevant theatre as a form of civic engagement in Baltimore by producing vibrant, experiential performances in traditional and non-traditional theatre venues; building cross-sector partnerships; and facilitating empowering education programs.
The Pique Collective
Maryland Center for Hospitality Training
Single Carrot Theatre
The Pique Collective is a quintet of modern musicians striving to Be More in B'More by bringing together local artists, craft brews n' eats, and lively concerts of new and recent musical compositions. As an ensemble, Pique performs contemporary and modern music in an exciting and fresh way, offering alternatives to the standard concert music venue. As locals, we aim to involve crafters, brewers, and artists of all stripes in our concerts, so that we can help grow culture and positivity within our community. Pique Collective are your local besties when it comes to uncommon experiences in art music, and as part of a lively family of modern and post-modern musicians in Baltimore, we love contributing with shows that
think outside the bar, but keep great time!
Memorial Apartments Corporation
Memorial Apartments Corporation
Memorial Apartments Corporation
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Founded in 1964 to develop affordable housing for low-income seniors, MAC has expanded its mission to help create anchors of stability and opportunity within our community. MAC is dedicated to enriching the lives of the residents of Linden Park and Central West Baltimore by supporting development which will promote learning, healthy living, meaningful social interaction, life planning, and neighborhood union.
Somerset Development Company
Memorial Apartments Corporation
Memorial Apartments Corporation
Somerset is a socially responsible real estate development company which focuses on expanding affordability and revitalizing communities. Our expertise in multi-family residential development includes historic preservation; new markets, historic, and low income housing tax credits; new construction, major renovations, market rate and affordable residential development, all in transit-oriented locations in underserved communities. https://somersetdev.com/