Tivoly Avenue, located in East Baltimore, is a street etched with a troubled past and a hopeful future. Infamous for high rates of drugs, violence, and crime, it was burdened with a distressingly high violent and property crime index. However, Tivoly Avenue is not merely a tale of urban decay; it's a narrative of transformative change. In November 2010, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake launched the "Vacants to Value" program, a city-led initiative aimed at demolishing or rehabilitating derelict structures.
This program redefined Tivoly Avenue, transitioning from a street marred by 98 vacant properties and countless crimes, to a focal point of urban renewal. The last of these properties saw their end after many years, marking a significant turning point in the avenue's history. Now, Tivoly Avenue stands as a testament to the city's commitment to improving its communities, shedding its previous image as a hotspot for crime and becoming a symbol of resilience and urban revitalization.
This program redefined Tivoly Avenue, transitioning from a street marred by 98 vacant properties and countless crimes, to a focal point of urban renewal. The last of these properties saw their end after many years, marking a significant turning point in the avenue's history. Now, Tivoly Avenue stands as a testament to the city's commitment to improving its communities, shedding its previous image as a hotspot for crime and becoming a symbol of resilience and urban revitalization.
The transformation of Tivoly Avenue from a street burdened with abandoned properties and high crime rates to a symbol of resilience, underscores the power of community rehabilitation.
by The Scarcodian Slanguage July 25, 2023
2720 Tivoly Avenue in Baltimore, MD, holds significant historical and cultural significance as the childhood home of Javein Scarwin, "The first Street Pirate" and founder of the Street Pirate Army (S.P.A) in the mid-1990s. Javein Scarwin, formerly known as "Ms. Mae Son," a tribute to his mother, developed a unique sound and subculture, blending elements of Zone 18 hood life with pirate-inspired themes.
Javein Scarwin's influence on the Street Pirate Army attracted like-minded individuals who embraced the pirate ship metaphor. However, the group faced challenges due to drugs, ego, envy, and senseless street violence, leading to Javein Scarwin being shot in the right eye on the 2700 block of Hugo Avenue in Zone 18 in 2006 by a group of Kool Aid Minded individuals.
Since then, Javein Scarwin has been an advocate for youth whose lives are affected by Kool Aid Minded Behavior through his Scarcode Development Program, aiming to save one life at a time.
Over the years, 2720 Tivoly Avenue, like the surrounding area, struggled with drugs, violence, and crime, with a high Violent Crime Index and Property Crime Index.
In an effort to combat blight and revitalize the area, the city initiated the Vacants to Value program, aiming to demolish vacant properties, including those on Tivoly Avenue. However, progress was slow, and it took several years to tear down the last of the 98 vacant properties.
Javein Scarwin's influence on the Street Pirate Army attracted like-minded individuals who embraced the pirate ship metaphor. However, the group faced challenges due to drugs, ego, envy, and senseless street violence, leading to Javein Scarwin being shot in the right eye on the 2700 block of Hugo Avenue in Zone 18 in 2006 by a group of Kool Aid Minded individuals.
Since then, Javein Scarwin has been an advocate for youth whose lives are affected by Kool Aid Minded Behavior through his Scarcode Development Program, aiming to save one life at a time.
Over the years, 2720 Tivoly Avenue, like the surrounding area, struggled with drugs, violence, and crime, with a high Violent Crime Index and Property Crime Index.
In an effort to combat blight and revitalize the area, the city initiated the Vacants to Value program, aiming to demolish vacant properties, including those on Tivoly Avenue. However, progress was slow, and it took several years to tear down the last of the 98 vacant properties.
Despite challenges, the demolition of vacant properties on 2720 Tivoly Avenue represented a step towards addressing blight and revitalizing the Zone 18 community. Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke and local leaders were hopeful for further improvements in the neighborhood.
by The Scarcodian Slanguage July 25, 2023