A MESSAGE FROM MAYOR RAWLINGS-BLAKE

Dear Citizen,

Baltimore is a city in transition from an industrial past to a high-powered, cutting edge future. We are located in the heart of the northeast, with easy access to New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC—cities whose transit systems are among the best in the world. Baltimore City, in partnership with the Maryland Transit Administration, is working to bring our citizens a complete and world-class transit system.

The Red Line is at the core of this system, providing a critical east-west link that has the potential to revitalize neighborhoods, protect the natural environment and boost economic empowerment. A stronger public transit system will support growth of jobs, promote healthy living, and serve as a connection to vital services.

In 2008, we defined the success of the Red Line with the Red Line Community Compact, a series of guiding principles and strategies for the design and construction of the project. Now it is my job, along with City agencies, the MTA, and residents like you to achieve these objectives through action, education, and community involvement. These are not just empty promises. Throughout this website, you can see evidence of how we have already begun working to realize the goals laid out in the Compact, a document that has earned national distinction for its unique place in the Red Line planning process.

As the project moves forward this year, I urge you to learn as much as you can about the Red Line and remain open to the opportunities it can bring. I encourage you to see this project as a way to jumpstart other initiatives to enhance the quality of life in your neighborhood. Even if the Red Line does not directly affect your community, we all need to stay informed and envision a future where we and our children enjoy an inter-connected transit system as an integral part of our beautiful city.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore