State Center Area COmmunity groups

read John Kyle and james hamlin's most recent op-ed that first appeared in the baltimore sun on december 28,2016:

Hogan's State Center decision will hurt Baltimore's West Side

Last Wednesday, Gov. Larry Hogan used the authority of the Board of Public Works to lead the dismantling of a community-supported project to redevelop the State Center complex and add thousands of jobs to an underserved community ("Maryland voids leases for long-stalled State Center project, plans to study other options," Dec. 22). Since entering office, Governor Hogan has stalled and delayed the full-funding of this project, despite the fact it that would bring much needed revitalization and economic opportunity to Baltimore's West Side, and now we know why. The governor has apparently been working to develop a separate plan for an arena that will provide him immense political capital and benefit his top donors at the expense of Baltimoreans living and working in the State Center area today.

As the president and vice president of the State Center Neighborhood Alliance, we must say this is a huge blow to residents of the nine neighborhoods surrounding State Center. We are extremely disappointed in the BPW's actions and feel as if our community is being ignored, or worse — forgotten.

The State Center project proposal, which has been previously approved by the state and has survived the legal challenges brought on by outside private interests, would be a win-win-win — for the governor, for the State of Maryland and its employees, for Baltimore City and its State Center area residents. This is a sad day for Baltimore, especially for those of us living and working in the West Side, who could really use the boost to jobs and amenities that this redevelopment would provide. We are glad to see that the State Center development team will fight this, and hopefully prevail. It's what is best for all of Maryland.

John E. Kyle and James Hamlin, Baltimore

The membership of the State Center Neighborhood Alliance (SCNA), listed below, comprises over 25,000 city residents. Non-voting members are Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, University of Baltimore, and University of Maryland Medical System – Midtown Campus. Its supporters also include individuals and groups from across the City.

Members of SCNA:

Druid Heights Community Development Corporation
Heritage Crossing Residents Association
McCulloh Homes Residents Association
Madison Park Improvement Association
Marble Hill Association
Midtown Development Corporation
Mt. Royal Improvement Association
Mt. Vernon Belvedere Association
Pennsylvania Ave Redevelopment Collaborative
Seton Hill Association
United Baptist Missionary Convention & Auxiliaries of Maryland
Upton Planning Committee

The purposes of the Corporation are exclusively charitable, religious, educational, scientific and nonprofit as defined under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law or regulations thereunder, hereinafter collectively referred to as the Internal Revenue Code) as follows:

A. To lessen neighborhood tensions by bringing together and giving voice to the community-based organizations surrounding the State Center complex and by sharing information and resources; 

b. To combat blight and community deterioration in the State Center area; and

c. To undertake other projects, programs and activities not inconsistent with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and applicable state law, including the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) the Internal Revenue Code, as the need to do so presents itself in the opinion of the Board of Directors.