Country United States City Baltimore Time zone Eastern (UTC-5) Area 17.6 km² | State Maryland Launched January 18, 2016 ZIP code 21217 | |
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The West Baltimore Innovation Village District is a neighborhood district of Baltimore City that will specialize in attracting startup companies and other employers to West Baltimore. Following the Death of Freddie Gray and the subsequent 2015 Baltimore protests, government leaders decided to launch the innovation district as a way to attract redevelopment and revitalization to the areas hardest hit by the protests. The district includes the neighborhoods of Mondawmin, Coppin Heights, Penn-North, Reservoir Hill and Bolton Hill.
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Background
Efforts to form the district originated from the community organization known as the Mount Royal Community Development Corporation (MRCDC). Similar innovation districts have been formed in neighborhoods like University City in Philadelphia and the South Boston Seaport District. The West Baltimore Innovation District neighbors the nearby Station North Arts and Entertainment District and includes access to numerous forms of transportation including the Baltimore Metro Subway and Baltimore Light Rail.