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Saving Poppleton: How an urban development conflict was resolved

Sonia Eaddy is a Poppleton homeowner and president of the Poppleton Now Community Association. She and her husband Curtis led a successful 18-year battle against the city's plan to raze the neighborhood for a redevelopment project. (photo credit Charles Cohen)
Sonia Eaddy is a Poppleton homeowner and president of the Poppleton Now Community Association. She and her husband Curtis led a successful 18-year battle against the city's plan to raze the neighborhood for a redevelopment project. (photo credit Charles Cohen)

And now, a story about determination and cooperation that led to a good outcome for a city resident, her neighbors, and the city’s plan to redevelop one of Baltimore’s historically Black neighborhoods.

Almost 20 years ago, Sonia Eaddy and her husband Curtis’s home in Poppleton, on Baltimore’s West Side, was scheduled to be demolished to make way for new development. But last week, Mayor Brandon Scott and other city officials announced an agreement had been reached that would allow the Eaddys to keep their home, and make possible a different kind of development that enjoys the support of the community.

Sonia Eaddy joins us on Zoom…

Also with us today is Dr. Nicole King. She is an associate professor and chair of the Department of American Studies and director of the Orser Center for the Study of Place, Community, and Culture at UMBC. She is an activist who worked with members of the Poppleton community to help broker the deal that was announced July 18th. She joins us on Zoom.

And Alice Kennedy is the Baltimore City Housing Commissioner. She also joins us on Zoom…

Alice Kennedy is Commissioner of Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development; Dr. Nicole King is an associate professor of American Studies at UMBC, and an activist who worked with Poppleton residents to help broker a deal with the city. (photo credits DHCD/Wendel Patrick)
Alice Kennedy is Commissioner of Baltimore City's Department of Housing and Community Development; Dr. Nicole King is an associate professor of American Studies at UMBC, and an activist who worked with Poppleton residents to help broker a deal with the city. (photo credits DHCD/Wendel Patrick)

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