| Biotech park offers new opportunity for UMC in Baltimore By Melissa Lauber UMConnection Staff In an effort to save an East Baltimore neighborhood, city officials will destroy it and rebuild with a $1 billion biotechnology park. Its a drastic plan, almost biblical in scope, and it is a good one, said the Rev. Clarence Davis, pastor of Christ UMC, one of the few properties slated to miss the swing of the wrecking ball. The biotech park calls for the creation of 8,000 jobs with more than 30 anticipated medical corporations, and 2,000 new and renovated homes. The city, through eminent domain, will acquire 3,300 properties, many of them vacant, in the 17-block area next to Johns Hopkins Hospital, reported the East Baltimore Development, Inc. group on its Web site. The parks boundaries are Broadway, Madison Street, Collington Street and the railroad track. The neighborhood is one of the most blighted in Baltimore, city officials say. There are approximately 200 homeowners in these 17 blocks. When the project is completed there will be 1,300 homeowners, according to Davis, When the plan was announced the community was in an uproar, Davis said. But the city put together a fairly good package for people who are to move. Houses in this neighborhood sell for $22,000 to $30,000. The city is offering $50,000 or $60,000 more, it keeps inching up, so people will get $70,000 to $90,000 for their houses, as long as they buy another house in the city. Renters will receive aid with security deposits and additional assistance with five years of future rent. A few of the members of Christ UMC will have to move. But the church is staying intact at its current location on East Chase Street, reported Davis, who views this as an exciting opportunity for the 300-member church to re-create itself. With 1,300 new families, we may have the opportunity to become a community church again, Davis said. Baltimore-Harford District superintendent, the Rev. Mark Derby, has expressed concerns that room be created, on a long-term basis, for low-income residents. Davis is convinced the city is making efforts to address this concern. The citys relocation person has a vision that the 1,300 homes will include an equitable mix of low, middle and high income houses on the same block, he said. Thats the mandate and I believe theyre sincere. In addition, Davis noted, one-third of the science and technology jobs are slotted for people with only high school diplomas. The church is called to address the areas where the Kingdom of God seems least present. I cant think of any area in our conference worse than this one, said Associate Council of Ministries Director Timothy Warner. Warner is excited about the possibilities of community redevelopment that this plan brings. However, it is his hope that the biotech park really does move beyond gentrification and enriches the lives of current residents as well. The church must take a prophetic stance to make sure the city delivers on behalf of all people, he said. The first phase of the buyouts is scheduled to occur in the first half of 2004. Some demolition on unpopulated blocks began in November. East Baltimore is an area that has been singled out by the Baltimore-Washington Conference for intense ministry efforts. For the past several years, a Saving Station was held within walking distance of the proposed biotech park. This fall, that site, at Milton Avenue and Oliver Street, was made a New Church Initiative and a pastor was assigned to create a new faith community there. Also nearby are three other United Methodist churches: Centennial-Caroline Street, Eastern, and St. Matthews. More information on the redevelopment efforts can be found at www.ebdi.org. | 
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