Roaming Station North

This past week, we have been collecting last minute photographs and trying our best to find some more research on the various areas of Station North. This Friday, a couple of us are going back to Station North to get some more interviews and pictures of the many places we are still missing. I have a Pratt Library card which allows me access to the online catalogs. The goal for this week is to use that and find more information on history that will be useful.

Diversifying photography

Picture is from: http://www.psych.umass.edu/aboutus/diversity/undergraduate_programs_in_diversity/adrap/

This past week, I have learned how to find pictures that we are actually allowed to use. With the different policies and rules, it;s harder to determine what we can and cannot use. I have also learned that many workers in Station North do not live there. Altheia Shin focused on the business owners who are Korean in the area and how that contributes to the culture and diversity of Station North. It would be cool to see who all in Station North actually work in the Arts and Entertainment District and how many venture to nearby areas for jobs.


This week, Bismah and I are trying to get more historic pictures of the areas. We are going to try and contact owners of businesses to see if they have old pictures of their businesses. We are also going to use Thursday to collect more recent and older pictures.

Mapping Station North- Photographs

W.North Ave and Charles Street.

Picture from Baltimorebrew.com

In the past couple of weeks, I have learned that there are many different views on Station North. I never really realized how many lives were being affected until I started listening and researching more on the voices and what they had to say. Everyone wants change but not everyone looks at the whole dynamic of the potential circumstances it can bring. For example, change can bring more homelessness and replacement. On the other hand, change can bring money and diversity. It's interesting to see which of these outweighs the other in certain eyes.


I have been assigned to find old photographs of Station North. This is somewhat easy because of Google but it can also be challenging at times. I found tons of black and white pictures but it's hard to distinguish exactly where that photograph was taken. I have uploaded the pictures I have found and believe are useful. I am not done looking through the many pictures, but I want to collect as many pictures as I can and combine pictures of the area now (A now and then type of collage).

As a group, we are planning to take pictures of the different areas that were assigned for small assignment two. We are also trying to work with the other class and collaborate with their photography.

The birth after the impoverished

Image from www.stationnorth.org

When we drive or walk through areas that are in poverty we tend to believe nothing will change. We believe that bringing that certain area to the same level of demand in surrounding areas will be close to impossible. Majority of the time it takes a lot of effort to bring a neighborhood "back". Will creating a better atmosphere help regain the neighborhoods strengths and minimize the weaknesses? Perhaps the neighborhoods surrounding Station North can answer that question. Property values started to boom which indicates popularity and demand for those houses that once were overlooked due to their impoverished characteristics. This was also a bad situation for people already living in those areas. It's obvious that gentrification took over.

Nothing is bound to stay the same over time. Neighborhoods change just as much as people do. I think without Station North, Baltimore will be struggling. Station North has brought so many unique artists and talented individuals to show the true value of our city. In a sense, it has brought some life into the city. There is more value to those houses, museums, studios and surrounding areas because of Station North.

With change, there are many issues and concerns. Was it fair to drive out originals from Station North? Did they do that on purpose? It was obvious the population couldn't afford luxury housing, why would they drive them out knowing it was going to take time to rebuild their lives in a different area?



Questions for Ben Stone:
1. Who are benefiting from Station North? The artists or property owners?
2. Do you think Station North can be expanded? Could this same idea help in other impoverished neighborhoods in Baltimore?
3. Are there any cons about having Station North? Such as crime rates/drug deals?

A common ground

With any community, there are bound to be issues. Whether it's an increase in crime, inflation in property or various environmental concerns, a sense of unity will be present regardless of the problems. These changes within a community will either break or make the certain population within that area. Gentrification has been on the rise in many areas in Baltimore. There are many people to this day still fighting for their voices to be heard about this issue. On a personal view, it seems unfair. Why should someone leave a community just because the demand for everything surrounding them is high? Perhaps, that's how the economy keeps civilians on their toes. Change is inevitable. Some may like it and some may disagree with it but without it, growth is limited. Station North is a good example of gentrification. Although it's now known as the Arts and Entertainment district, knowing that individuals once had to move out of this "district" because they could no longer afford what they once called home boggles my mind. But on the other hand, this is the economy. While it may seem unfair, without gentrification there is no real birth of new communities. 











The picture was taken from:: http://thiederman.com/common-ground-is-valuable-real-estate/