Blight to Betterment: Law Forum Spring Symposium

The Law Forum's spring publication will feature Michael J. DeStefano's article "Baltimore's Targeted Blight Elimination Program and How It Can Be Improved." This symposium will feature prominent actors in the Baltimore area seeking to improve blighted communities. Jules Dunham Howie (Jul Enterprises/Upton Planning Committee), Bishop Donté Hickman (Southern Baptist Church), Watchen Bruce (Baltimore Community Lending), Ernst Valery (SAA/EVI), Steven Preston (Parks and People), and Ellen Janes (Central Baltimore Partnership) will join the panel discussion. Jalal ("Jay") Greene will moderate.

The symposium will focus on the various approaches that non-governmental organizations have taken to address blight in our city, including, but not limited to, lending programs, development of affordable housing, code enforcement, vacant land management, and green spaces. The goal of the symposium is to bring awareness to non-governmental solutions to blight that can supplement governmental intervention and have a meaningful conversation with members of the community.

Law Forum dedicates the symposium to Lieutenant Paul Butrim, Lieutenant Kelsey Sadler, and Firefighter Kenny Lacayo, who all died in the line of duty on January 24, 2022, while battling a fire in a vacant rowhome in Baltimore City and extends its sincerest condolences to the Baltimore City Fire Department.

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