Last Wednesday, ReBUILD Metro and our Johnston Square community partners welcomed leaders and supporters from across the City and State as we launched the Mura Street Homes project—a major milestone in Johnston Square’s ongoing community-driven revitalization. In partnership with the community, we are transforming the 700 block of Mura Street by restoring and combining 18 abandoned rowhouses into 10 beautiful new homeownership opportunities, eliminating the vacancy that has plagued the block for decades.
Through this $5.5 million project, we will combine 16 adjoining rowhouses into 8 double-wide homes, rebuild 2 additional homes, and demolish 3 deteriorated properties to create much-needed parking for new and longtime residents. But this “whole block” redevelopment is about more than rebuilding homes—it is driven by the vision of local community leaders to preserve the neighborhood’s history and improve the lives of legacy residents like Ms. Duncan and Mr. Edwards, who have lived on the block for decades and have remained committed to it despite its blight and abandonment.
The launch of this project, ReBUILD’s broader community-driven work in Johnston Square, and the resilient residents of Mura Street received some wonderful coverage. The Baltimore Sun’s Jacques Kelly shared Mr. Edwards’ story of rebuilding his own home–and a beautiful community garden–on Mura Street, and how “a tiny Baltimore street is looking to big possibilities.” The Baltimore Brew’s Dan Rodricks shared Ms. Duncan’s 70-year history on this block and how we are “rehabbing–not razing–a blighted block.”
“Instead of tearing these homes down or replacing them, we are leading from the community’s vision and asking what this block can become if we preserve what is wonderful about it—not only for us but for our children,” said ReBUILD President Sean Closkey at Wednesday’s project launch. “We are not just rebuilding some of the houses on this block; we are rebuilding the entire block, because that is what the community wants and needs. This project involves all of Baltimore coming together to rebuild a community for all.”
Mura Street Homes is made possible through significant support from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Homeownership Works program, a pilot that helped inform the Department’s new UPLIFT program. We received additional support through mission-driven investments by individuals, families, and foundations who are committed to building a stronger Johnston Square.
We would like to thank our city and state leaders who joined us to celebrate this major milestone, including Senator Cory McCray, Delegate Stephanie Smith, Delegate Caylin Young, Councilmember Jermaine Jones, Baltimore Housing Commissioner Alice Kennedy, and Maryland Housing Assistant Secretary Carol Gilbert. Thanks also to our builders at Clipper Construction and to all of our project collaborators who are helping bring this redevelopment project to life.
Lastly, we continue to extend our gratitude to Regina Hammond and the dozens of Johnston Square residents who are driving this work forward and creating a blueprint for Baltimore’s future. Together, we’re not just rebuilding homes—we’re restoring hope, creating opportunity, and laying the groundwork for a vibrant future in Johnston Square where every resident can thrive.
