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Your Neighborhood: Albemarle Square in Historic Jonestown
SEE HOW THIS STORY DEVELOPED
Related Topics: BALTIMORE
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A fountain in the garden of Carroll Mansion in Jonestown.
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - On a Friday afternoon, the streets of Albemarle Square in Historic Jonestown are mostly quiet. New brick town homes with boldly painted doors line freshly cemented sidewalks and paved streets. Potted flowers adorn some porches, and garages likely evoke jealousy from nearby Little Italy and Fells Point residents.
“It’s very historic, but if you were to walk around, you’d say it’s brand new,” said Deb Weiner, Family History Coordinator at the Jewish Museum of Maryland. Weiner is happy that Jonestown is once again home to more than just history.
One of three original towns that became Baltimore City in 1797, Jonestown started out as a retreat for wealthy residents seeking respite from the commotion of the waterfront.
In the early 1900s, immigrants inhabited the once stately mansions, cramming entire families into single rooms, explained Paula Hankins, Executive Director of Historic Jonestown Inc. and the Carroll Museums.
Mid century, the City built Flag House Courts, a public housing complex that they subsequently demolished in 2001 after years of crime and neglect.
Enter Albemarle Square. One third of the homes in this mixed income development sell to low-income families. The rest sell at market value.
“[Jonestown] is completely reinventing itself all the time,” said Hankins, also thrilled to have a “ready-made community” in place of the vacant lots that previously neighbored the Carroll Mansion.
The cultural institutions and businesses in Little Italy provide gathering spaces for Albemarle’s three HOAs to work out the kinks.
“When you start a new neighborhood, there are lots of issues, but that’s really brought us all together,” said resident Lindsay Thompson.
Issues range from incorporating green spaces to mediating the inevitable culture clash of two economic groups sharing space.
“It’s not this utopian ideal,” said Thompson.
“But there’s a high level of neighborhood interaction, and we all get along and work together.”
Police patrol regularly and neighbors look out for each other, so there’s very little crime.
“If I leave my garage open, my neighbor across the street will call and ask if I know it’s open,” said Jacqueline Ruiz.
Ruiz walks everywhere-Whole Foods, the Merritt Athletic Club (MAC), Pazo’s (and home again at 1:00 with no qualms for her safety) and often just down to Ammici’s or Pepino’s with neighbors to grab a few Friday night drinks.
“I always used to say, ‘wouldn’t it be nice to go out to dinner and not have to drive home?’ ” said Susan Katz who moved from Parkville. “I’m living the dream. I love living down here.”
