Baltimore Free Farm Awaits Mayor’s Decision on Hampden Land

Representatives from Baltimore Free Farm say Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s office is considering its bid, along with others, for two lots of city owned land in Hampden the group is farming on.

The plot of land on Baldwin Street represents about a sixth of the half-acre space the group farms, and which the city recently informed them was up for sale.

Reagan Hooton, a Baltimore Free Farm member, told members of the Hampden Community Council that the group has raised funds and submitted a "competitive bid" on the property.

"We’re basically just trying to show the city that the community would like to keep that as a green space, and a garden, rather than have developers put up houses," Hooton said.

She said the group was told the decision on who the land would be sold to would be announced in about two weeks.  The group has already gathered signatures of support from surrounding neighbors as well as Councilman Nick Mosby.

The Hampden Community Council also voted on Monday to send a letter of support backing the group’s bid to purchase the land.

Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke, who represents parts of Hampden, but not the section where the group’s garden is located, said she has heard from residents that they would like to see less development, and more open spaces in the neighborhood. She said she has never seen so many people want to build so much housing on such small plots of land in her life.

"I know we’re supposed to add 10,000 people in the next 10 years, but they don’t all have to be in Hampden," Clarke said.