Water Front Life
Fells Point is located to the east of the Inner Harbor, on the north side of the harbor. The Public Promenade lines the water's edge, and is filled with local residents, workers, and sightseers when the weather is nice.
SBER's investment in the Fells Point neighborhood began 15 years ago, when the neighborhood was facing intense job loss and disinvestment. Just blocks from two of the city's worse public housing projects, Fells Point was hard hit by the decline of port related businesses over the last twenty years. Industry closed down with major environmental remediation taking 10 years to complete. Over 50 acres of land lay vacant. Designated a federal Empowerment Zone, SBER and its partners, true pioneers, launched major residential, hotel and office projects to jump start the rebirth of this historic neighborhood.
Improvements at the Freedom Middle School and Thames Street Park were the focus of SBER's 2005 James Rouse Community Service Day in Fells Point. Included in the Freedom Academy project was the development of a College Bound Center. This center consists of several classroom spaces that were renovated to house a student computer lounge and a college bound counselor for the center. A teacher's lounge was also created.