In the real estate industry, community engagement sessions are public meetings often led by developers and property owners who want to solicit ideas and build support for projects they have in mind. The leaders of MCB Real Estate had a series of them several years ago to discuss their plans for redeveloping the Harborplace pavilions at Pratt and Light streets. This month, two more development teams are holding community engagement sessions for projects in different parts of Baltimore: the Jones Falls Valley and Mount Vernon Place. On March 24, Seawall Development will have a public meeting to discuss plans for the industrially-zoned properties at 2701 and 2801 Falls Road, about four acres currently owned by the Potts Callahan construction company. The land received public attention last summer when city officials unveiled a plan to move the city’s bulk trash drop-off facility there from 2840 Sisson St. The city’s plan drew strong opposition because the property is in a floodplain and located along a picturesque stretch of the Jones Falls Valley, and it hasn’t moved ahead. A mayoral task force formed to help the Scott administration address the city’s bulk trash and hazardous waste disposal needs ruled out recommending that the Falls Road site be used to relocate the trash facility. ‘Rare opportunity’ This month, Seawall announced that it has a contract to buy the Potts Callahan property and wants to work with area residents to come up with a plan showing how it can best be used. Company officials pledge that it won’t be used as a bulk trash drop off center. Possibilities include a “world-class” park and mixed-use development that would help connect the Remington neighborhood, where Seawall is active, to the Jones Falls waterway. “These sites represent a rare opportunity to rethink how this critical corridor connects the neighborhood of Remington to the Jones Falls River and the broader valley,” Seawall said in its announcement. “Rather than advancing a predetermined plan, Seawall will initiate a community-led visioning process to explore what this stretch of Baltimore can become, together.” Through this land purchase, “Seawall is working to ensure the community-led efforts to protect the Jones Falls Valley from industrial uses are realized,” the company said. “This purchase represents a commitment to the community from Seawall to never use the Falls Road site as a trash transfer facility, and for this site to be reimagined and match the ambitions of city residents.” Seawall’s role is “to listen first,” said co-founder Thibault Manekin, in a statement. “The public conversation over the past year has made it clear that people care deeply about this corridor and its future. There is an opportunity here to remove long-standing industrial uses along the river’s edge and help shape a more connected, greener, and more resilient future for this part of the city.” Seawall is a champion of the Remington Neighborhood Plan that was adopted by the city in 2017 and calls reimagination of the industrial properties along Sisson Street, including the bulk trash drop off facility, Manekin said. “We believe in thinking in one-hundred-year increments and want to be part of thoughtful, community-led change,” he said. “The idea of creating mixed-use projects that flow from Remington down the hill into a world-class park along the Jones Falls is something we are deeply committed to advancing.” The community meeting will be held at The Garage at R House, 301 W. 29th St., starting at 7 p.m. Seawall officials say it will be the first of many meetings that they intend to hold as they formulate plans for the property. People who want to attend are asked to register by contacting: [email protected]. ‘Brainstorming session’ Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church. Photo credit: Ed Gunts. On March 27, the new owners of Mount Vernon Place Church are holding a community engagement session to give community residents a chance to discuss plans for the historic church at 2 E. Mount Vernon Place. UNITE Mount Vernon is a non profit group that bought the church in July after a planned sale to New Jersey developer Joseph Novoseller fell through. The owners have since opened the church as a setting for concerts, a pop-up book shop and architectural tours as they contemplate long-range plans for the property. Quinn Evans is the architectural firm selected to assess the building’s condition and help prepare a plan to guide its redevelopment. Others leading the community meeting include representatives from the Mount Vernon Belvedere Association and Preservation Maryland. “Join us for a community discussion and brainstorming session for the redevelopment of Mount Vernon Place United Methodist Church,” says a flyer announcing the March 27 meeting. “Come to discuss potential ideas for future uses.” Doors will open at 3:30 p.m. for tours of the building and light refreshments. The community engagement session will last from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Register to participate HERE! ...read more read less