Stavrou Construction Inc. and Baltimore Redevelopment LLC are working on a project that will bring 26 new townhomes to the Carrollton Ridge neighborhood of South Baltimore. The team is acquiring 26 vacant rowhomes from Baltimore City on the 500 and 600 block of S. Monroe St. and the 1800 block of Eagle St., and plans to tear them down to build new townhomes. After the acquisition, the team will own most, but not all, of the homes and properties on these blocks.

The properties sit a couple blocks northwest of Carroll Park in a Carrollton Ridge neighborhood that has not seen the reinvestment of other South Baltimore communities. Bill West of Stavrou Construction Inc. and Baltimore Redevelopment LLC recalled fond memories of when the neighborhood was thriving and a popular hangout spot for many Cardinal Gibbons students.

“We are trying to bring back this community to the way it was in the 1970s and 1980s,” said West. “It’s a risk, but these properties can’t keep sitting like this.”

West said he’s had his eye on this area for more than five years and that the team has been working on acquiring the properties for the last year and half. With development opportunities becoming harder to come by in Canton and Federal Hill, West said one of the reasons he was drawn to this area is because of its “great views” overlooking much of the city. He also likes the location near Carroll Park and the Carroll Park Golf Course.

West said the paperwork for the acquisitions should be finalized in the next 30 days. The team hopes to begin demolition soon after.

The new two-story townhomes, which are still in the design phase, will have two or three bedrooms and first-floor garages. West said the homes will have higher-end materials and finishes. West said that most of the existing rowhomes were in poor shape and had to be demoished instead of renovated.

Stavrou Construction Inc. and Baltimore Redevelopment LLC will be targeting middle-income, first-time homebuyers. West said they have not yet settled on a price, but said the homes would be much less expensive than the homes they build in Federal Hill and Canton.

West credited his partner Steve Stavrou for his vision to help revitalize the community. West noted the project’s similarities to the work of Scott Plank’s War Horse Cities in Hollins Market.

First new-home deliveries are expected for early next year. This will be the first phase as Stavrou Construction Inc. and Baltimore Redevelopment LLC are planning a second phase with 15 to 25 more homes. All the homes will get a new-construction, five-year property tax phase-in. West noted that they are also looking into all other tax incentives the homes might be eligible for.

West said they are eyeing many other properties in the immediate area. Along with new homes, they hope to bring a new recreation center and a Baltimore Police Department substation to the community.

The Carrollton Ridge properties are also within a block of the Barcelona Nut Co.

Stavrou Construction Inc. and Baltimore Redevelopment LLC are also currently renovating townhomes in Federal Hill at 1311 Light St. and 1411 Battery Ave.

The 1800 block of Eagle St.

The 500 block of Monroe St.

The 600 block of Monroe St.

A vacant lot for sale on the 600 block of Monroe St. that is not currently owned by Stavrou Construction Inc. and Baltimore Redevelopment LLC

About the Author: Kevin Lynch Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, beach volleyball enthusiast, dog lover, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, beach volleyball enthusiast, dog lover, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at [email protected] and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin