What's Happening in Rosedale, MD…

City officials are taking steps to reduce the number of dilapidated and vacant buildings in Baltimore.

Councilman Bill Henry has sponsored a law that will allow city officials to take over vacant property sooner than they have in the past. The earlier intervention will take place when an empty house starts to show some degree of neglect, but before the structure can become so dilapidated that it can affect the whole neighborhood, potentially causing property prices in the area to suffer.

The city council approved the measure and Baltimore’s mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, signed it into law recently. It will take effect as of this month.

There are approximately 16,000 properties standing vacant throughout the city, and many residents and officials believe the city cannot improve the quality of life there until it deals with the issue. Councilman Henry says his office receives complaints about vacant and run-down properties frequently, but attempts by officials to reach property owners are often unsuccessful. Taking over the properties sooner should therefore help the entire community.

City officials might want to work with brochure printers to create a booklet about the new law. They could mail it to city residents to inform them of the procedure. They might also include a form for residents to reply if they know of a vacant property.