Pennrose, the City of Baltimore, Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, KMJ Uplands LLC, B&W Solutions, Uplands Community Association, and local officials gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Phase II of the Uplands master plan.
Speakers at the grand opening ceremony included: Patrick Stewart, Regional Vice President, Pennrose, LLC; Brandon M. Scott, Mayor, City of Baltimore; Malcom P. Ruff, District 41, Maryland House of Delegates; Samuel I. Rosenberg, District 41, Maryland House of Delegates; Stephanie L. Staats, Director, Baltimore Field Office, Housing & Urban Development (HUD); Gregory Hare, Assistant Secretary, Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development; Alice Kennedy, Housing Commissioner, Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development; Shamiah T. Kerney, Chief Recovery Officer, Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs, City of Baltimore; Paris Gray, Council Member, District 8, City of Baltimore; David Smallwood, President, Uplands Community Association; and Sandy DeFelice, Managing Director, M&T Realty Capital Corporation.
Phase II includes a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, constructed using 4% and 9% low-income housing tax credits. The 4% and 9% projects added 78 and 72 units, respectively. The community is designed to be affordable for families at a range of
incomes, with apartments available at 30% to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Phase II also delivered additional on-site community amenities to the master plan, including two new playgrounds and on-site parking. More than $28 million in infrastructure improvements, funded by Baltimore City, was completed as part of Phase II, with new utilities, sidewalks, and roads added to support the next homeownership phase which will include approximately 220 single family homes and townhomes.
“The grand opening of Uplands Phase II is a manifestation of the growth and renaissance happening near Edmondson Village and the broader Southwest Baltimore area,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “This project has been a long-time coming, with Phase I kicking off when I was still in college – but with the hard work of all of the partners involved in this project we have incredible momentum. The impact can already be felt in this neighborhood and for the families moving in. I want to extend my sincere gratitude for the Pennrose team, all of the Uplands community partners, HUD, DHCD, and the city’s Office of Recovery Programs for making this day possible.”
“Uplands Phase II is a shining example of equitable neighborhood development in action,” said Baltimore City Housing Commissioner Alice Kennedy. “The City’s investment has not only leveraged private investment but is also creating affordability in high
market neighborhoods as an example of how redevelopment can be a win for everyone!”
“The completion of Phase II marks another critical step forward in the Uplands redevelopment, an ambitious initiative to transform and shape an entire neighborhood with quality, mixed-income housing, ample amenities, and green space,” said Patrick Stewart,
Regional Vice President at Pennrose. “This project is a prime example of how strategic partnerships, thoughtful development, and meaningful community engagement can deliver vibrant housing solutions for Baltimore families.”
The brand-new apartments boast high-quality features, including high ceilings and oversized windows; porches and balconies; fully equipped modern kitchens with energy-efficient appliances; full-sized washers and dryers; walk-in closets; luxury flooring; ceramic-tiled baths; smart thermostats; and more. Residents will also enjoy robust community amenities, including an inviting community clubhouse; professionally landscaped grounds; a community park; a fitness center; off-street parking; bike storage; and more.
Launched in 2013, the comprehensive Uplands master plan is revitalizing a former 979-unit distressed public housing complex. Phase I delivered 178 for-sale homes developed by Bozzuto Group, 104 mixed-income rental apartments, and the community building. Once
complete, the overall redevelopment will create more than 700 for-sale and for-rent homes across a range of building types and over 10,000 square feet of community and retail space. All phases have been developed with significant community input and feedback,
in partnership with the Uplands Community Association.
Financing for Uplands Phase II was provided by Maryland CDA including 9% and 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Multifamily Bond Program Funds, Rental Housing Works, MEEHA EmPOWER funding, and funds from the Weinberg Foundation; Also by Baltimore City including ARPA and HUD funds; by Hudson Housing Capital with LIHTC Equity investments, and by M&T Bank with HUD 221d4 financing. The infrastructure project has been funded by Baltimore City.
Pennrose is committed to developing high-quality, transformative affordable housing throughout Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region. Pennrose also recently celebrated the grand opening of the third phase of the Glenarden Hills redevelopment, which added 158 affordable apartments to the master planned community in Glenarden, Maryland.
With more than 50 years of experience, Pennrose combines quality development and proven management to deliver exceptional, lifestyle-centered communities. Pennrose develops and operates conventional, affordable, mixed-income, and
mixed-use communities throughout the United States.
