Officials gathered Tuesday to celebrate the groundbreaking of new apartments on the grounds of the former Cardinal Gibbons School, saying the riot and protests in the aftermath of Freddie Gray's death in police custody underscore the need for such projects.
The 80-unit subsidized complex, projected to cost about $19.4 million and financed in part by $15 million in low-income housing tax credits, is the first part of a broader redevelopment of the 32-acre site, purchased by Saint Agnes Hospital in 2012. William Greskovich, the hospital's vice president of operations and capital projects, said he expects construction of a new turf field named for Babe Ruth, who attended school on the property, to start in September.
Catholic Charities is studying the development of about 70 additional housing units and Saint Agnes expects to house about 200 workers in offices, either in a converted former school building or new construction in the next two years. Royal Farms and Kibby's Lounge & Restaurant have also signed letters of intent to open locations on the property. The redevelopment is expected to be complete in 2017.
Rep. John P. Sarbanes on Tuesday highlighted the role of Saint Agnes and Bon Secours Baltimore Health System, which is developing the 80 apartments through its housing arm, as major employers helping to drive improvements in the city.
"What's being presented here is everything that responds to the question, 'What can we do?'," he said. "That's why I think it's so wonderful that we're doing this celebration today, and frankly doing it in the wake of this difficult week that we've just been through."