We envision an awesome, healthy, architecturally beautiful, diverse, cohesive community of choice built on mutual respect and shared responsibility. We embrace all diversity: from race, gender, and sexual orientation to economic, education, and housing choice. Our diversity is our strength.
The Southwest Partnership aims to maintain this vision through productive land uses and partnerships that will maintain a cohesive community. We partner with our neighbors, surrounding communities, city government, area institutions, and businesses, knowing that when we take the right road together, and with integrity, everyone will benefit.
The Southwest Partnership began as a small group of concerned community leaders focused on the high concentration of drug treatment facilities in the area. They realized that having the seven local neighborhoods work collectively was more effective than working independently. Neighborhood leadership invited local anchor institutions to join, recognizing their direct relationship with the strength and health of the local communities they served.
The need for a community-created Master Plan became apparent during initial organizing meetings and community forums. A Steering Committee of community members and anchor institution representatives led the process. Within six months, the Steering Committee secured funding from anchor institutions and area foundation partners to engage consultants focused on urban design, commercial development, and housing. Gensler Baltimore worked with community members to create the Vision Plan document.
The Vision Plan was adopted by the Baltimore City Planning Commission.
