Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Federal Hill Main Street district designated a car-free zone around Cross Street Market to allow for more outdoor, socially-distanced dining.
In contrast to the commercial corridor’s nightlife and incidents of reckless driving, the area became a locus for pro-social community building with farmers’ markets, festivals, and outdoor fitness throughout the day and week.
Fast forward to 2023-2034. Our incumbent city council representative campaigned with a pro-business, pro-development, and pro-public safety narrative.
The neighborhood main street association released a statement, endorsed by the council representative, that reopening the area to cars would support small businesses.
Their cited reasons: “expense to maintain closure,” “lack of consistent use of the street by the community,” and “illicit drug use.”
In an area already concentrated with bars, smoke shops, and dispensaries, the proposed calculation of more cars equals less drugs rang false to me.
Through-traffic would, however, deter the homeless encampments, which were popping up on a small-scale during the pandemic.
While the council representative ultimately lost his primary election, the streets still re-opened to cars.
- Picnic tables and planters disappeared.
- Tents came down.
- Daytime and weekday activities stalled.
- More businesses shuttered.
- And crime in the area increased.
Whatever economic benefit small businesses may have sincerely envisioned, the lack of a comprehensive assessment of the impact on all stakeholders—local residents as customers and neighbors, as well as unhoused community members—widened the gap between South Baltimore Peninsula neighbors and Federal Hill Main Street.
Through a regular cadence of proactive planning meetings, business owners and residents could build rapport and trust to brainstorm, debate, and test future options for the commercial corridor.
By adopting a common good lens and care ethics lens, the diverse stakeholders could candidly share concerns and understand what different groups need to feel safe in the area.
Building a walkable, safe, and flourishing community can be a collective effort and shared responsibility if each stakeholder commits to the process of dialogue.
L. Rose Creative 
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