Irvington's promise (Baltimore, Frederick, Catonsville: apartment complex, income, work)

[barante]

At this time of the year, much of Baltimore is at its best. There will be a keen competition for azalea glory, for example, and everyone should see Ednor Gardens, a rowhouse community in North Baltimore, which is particularly attractive (Kimble Road).
There are also streets elsewhere that are just very pleasing, regardless of the season. Among my favorites are Lee, near the Inner Harbor, and a block of Benhurst that links with Strathmore at both ends. Then there is Augusta, between Frederick and Old Frederick Road in Irvington.
If I was a foundation, I would use every vacancy in Irvington to settle Vietnamese families there on the theory that they are industrious, family-centered and Catholic. The latter point would strengthen the monastery church on Old Frederick, a wonderful sanctuary but an anemic parish.
Irvington used to be a popular blue-collar neighborhood, a step up for those who wanted to leave the densely packed center city. What makes Augusta beautiful is the harmony between old Victorians, some now shuttered, and old growth trees. A nice Episcopalian church there too.
In recent years, Augusta has been teetering on the brink. What should be one of the city's most desirable and affordable neighborhoods has been going downhill fast. But there may be hope.
Driving around today I noticed a huge Victorian at Augusta and Frederick that is boarded up. Perhaps someone will renovate it? I say this because two blocks up, at Augusta and Massachussetts,another Victorian is being worked on. As I recall, the latter wasn't much to look at. It now has a nice and eye-catching Palladian windown on the front and other accents.
For risk takers, Irvington is worth consideration. Nearby, demolition has started on the old Upton Apartments which is to be turned into a new mixed-income community. Meanwhile, on Frederick one ratty apartment complex is already gone and others may follow.
Over the past decade there have been some concentrated efforts to turn Irvington around. It won't be easy. But just as Pigtown has location, location, location, so does Irvington. It's not far from downtown, it's not far from the Beltway or Catonsville. And St. Joseph's, a storied boys' school, is in the community.