When Baltimore got funding for a round of school renovations, the state directed it to design schools that would also advance neighborhood revitalization — and it learned some lessons about why that's not always so simple.
Baltimore's 21st Century School Buildings Program (21CSBP) demonstrates how school infrastructure investments can be leveraged for broader community development goals. Launched in 2013 with $1.1 billion in funding, the program has built or renovated 27 schools while intentionally connecting these investments to neighborhood revitalization efforts.
Four key lessons emerged from Baltimore's experience:
- Different institutional philosophies between education and community development agencies created implementation challenges. While the school district prioritized addressing historical inequities, housing and community development agencies favored investing in areas with greater market potential.
- High-capacity community organizations proved essential for connecting school improvements to neighborhood development. The Southeast Community Development Corporation successfully integrated community school coordination with broader neighborhood initiatives, while areas lacking strong community organizations struggled to create these connections.
- School stability requires comprehensive housing strategies that prevent displacement. The Cherry Hill neighborhood case study showed how public housing policy and demographic trends affect school enrollment and facility utilization.
- Building community trust requires acknowledging historical disinvestment while delivering visible neighborhood improvements. Baltimore's INSPIRE program helped rebuild trust through quick implementation of community-driven projects like pocket parks, sidewalks, and lighting around new schools.
The initiative demonstrates both the challenges and opportunities of using school infrastructure investments as catalysts for community development. While institutional coordination proved complex, Baltimore's experience shows how intentional alignment between school and neighborhood investments can amplify positive outcomes for both education and community development.
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