Baltimore rescued from the Interstate Highway System (I83, I95, I70) in the 1960s
Nov 3rd, 2010 by Director
Brown Bag Luncheon with David W. Barton, Jr.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010 :: Noon – 1:00 PM
The Baltimore Architecture Foundation
@ the offices of SMG Architects
1016 Morton Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
In the 1960s, Baltimore neighborhoods like Mt. Vernon, Federal Hill, and Fells Point were all in danger of serious disfigurement in the name of the Interstate Highway system. Among other strategies, highway planners were proposing to level Federal Hill, build an elevated highway along the Fells Point and Canton waterfronts, and “enhancing” the experience of the Washington Monument by creating a highway scenic loop around Mt. Vernon place.
Baltimoreans worked together to rescue the city from this potential fate. Join us as we welcome David W Barton, Jr., Chairman of Baltimore City Planning Commission during that crucial period. Mr. Barton will be BAF’s first informal Brown Bag speaker. Mr. Barton helped lead local efforts that were ultimately successful in preserving the character of our historic communities surrounding the downtown business district. During the 60s Mr. Barton was also Chairman of the Baltimore Regional Planning Commission, a member of the 5th District Federal Reserve Board (MD, VA, WV, NC), creator of Baltimore Washington Common Market Economic Development Commission and instrumental in bringing Larry Reich to Baltimore.
