A New Day in Oliver

TRF Development Partners was created to acquire and develop land and buildings for affordable housing in distressed areas within TRF’s footprint.

In 2002, TRF DP began partnering with BUILD, a community organizing network focused on community economic development, leadership and community empowerment, to develop a plan to revitalize Oliver. Adjacent to the Johns Hopkins Medical Center, Preston Place signals the change that is taking root in this distressed community. TRF along with BUILD, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, US Senator Barbara Mikulski and several public officials welcomed first new homeowners at a housewarming event in July 2008.

As the sun shone brightly as more than 200 people gathered on Caroline Street in Oliver, East Baltimore to witness the ribbon-cutting for 5 newly constructed, energy-efficient townhomes. Part of a project that has been many years in the making, the homes are the first phase of what is slated to become a 122-home development. The development will consist of newly constructed and totally restored traditional energy-efficient town homes

Speaking before community leaders and residents, private investors, city and state officials, and the first homebuyers who gathered to celebrate the homes, Governor Martin O’Malley explained, “Progress is not inevitable, we have to choose to make progress. This is a neighborhood that’s showing Baltimore’s comeback.”

The project will provide significant affordable housing and first-time homeownership opportunities to hardworking Baltimore families and initiate the rebirth of this neighborhood. To date, TRF DP has constructed or completed 29 units at Preston Place.