Enterprise Homes, Inc. and the Mark Building Company cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the model homes at
Renaissance Square, a new green housing community in Middle River.
Renaissance Square will have 115 for-sale homes and 81 apartments for seniors. The models homes are open for the public to tour from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The sales center is located at 15 St. Stephen's Lane, off of Old Eastern Avenue.
"Renaissance Square is a new chapter in the history of this community. When we talk about renaissance, we talk about local business people and neighborhood residents taking ownership of their communities and engaging in partnerships with government to preserve the best of their community's past while securing the promise of a future that benefits everyone. That is Renaissance Square," said County Executive Smith.
Renaissance Square is one of those rarities in which the Essex/Middle River residents were able to participate in the planning of the new development that best represented the community's vision. Renaissance Square is the site of the former Kingsley Park Apartments. Built over 60 years ago, the deteriorated Kingsley Park were a hotbed for violent crime and drug activity.
In 2004, Baltimore County acquired the Kingsley Park Apartments from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The county eventually demolished the complex, and began the process of a community-based redevelopment of the nearly 18-acre property. Area residents were invited to participate in a series of workshops facilitated by Design Collective, Inc and the Office of Community Conservation.
The vision of the community residents who participated in the workshops was of a place where a variety of people of varying lifestyles, ages, and incomes could live in a safe, affordable, well-maintained and attractive neighborhood. When developed, Renaissance Square will feature a mix of housing styles; improved vehicular and pedestrian connectivity into and through the community; a network of short, walkable streets, green space and community gathering points. In short, Renaissance Square.
Even the name of the development, Renaissance Square, came out of community input. Through a community naming contest, a long-time resident of Essex submitted the name Renaissance Square, which was ultimately selected.
"It is imperative that those who work in Baltimore County be able to live in Baltimore County," says County Council Chair Joseph Bartenfelder. "I congratulate the community members who participated in the planning process to help create this transformation of the neighborhood."
"I remember the day the buildings in Kingley Park came down," said County Councilman John Olszewski Sr. "Renaissance Square is a major victory for working class families in Baltimore County."
The housing complex will include 48 townhouses and 67 detached homes ranging in size from 1,400 square feet to 2,500 square feet, including full basements. Most homes will also have a one-car garage. All will feature the Enterprise Green Communities Criteria for environmentally sustainable housing. Renaissance Square will include a variety of green design features such as green label carpet, energy-efficient HVAC systems, Energy Star appliances and heat- and drought-tolerant landscaping.
The three-story rental property at Renaissance Square, Evergreen, will include 81 one- and two-bedroom units for seniors over age 62. The Evergreen Senior Apartments Limited Partnership, a venture of Enterprise Housing Corporation, is the developer of the rental property.
Renaissance Square will be developed in three phases. Phase I is currently under construction with the first homes to be ready by early December. Some homes are priced to be affordable to reserved for persons within certain income categories. Special financing will be available to buyers to make homes more affordable or assist with closing costs. The Evergreen apartment building is under construction and expected to be complete by late November 2009. Applications are now being taken for eligible seniors.
Source: Jim Smith, Baltimore County
Writer: Walaika Haskins