(Baltimore, MD – November 2, 2012) - Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano joined Councilman William "Pete" Welch, community leaders and Shipley-Hill residents to celebrate a Vacants to Value demolition of the 2400 block of Lombard Street.   Baltimore Housing worked with community leaders to tear down this long-blighted block, and begin to stabilize the otherwise solid community. “We are committed to fostering growth and improvement in this wonderful community,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “Today’s demolition is an example of how the Vacants to Value Initiative is working to make communities like Shipley-Hill stronger.” Shipley Hill is a strong community. Today's demolition will enhance the value of homeowners’ properties, increase public safety, and support the rehabilitation of vacants properties in the area. Demolitions have also taken place nearby on South Franklintown Road, South Catherine Street and Emerson Street  The community is working with partners to secure funding to turn the vacant properties into community gardens. “Shipley Hill, like many of our neighborhoods, has suffered from 50 years of disinvestment,” said Commissioner Graziano “Today we are about promoting investment, stability and a stronger future for this great community.” Launched in November of 2010, Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s Vacants to Value initiative seeks to encourage reinvestment in neighborhoods impacted by blighted properties by strengthening code enforcement, promoting rehabilitation; streamlining the sale of vacant city property, and, by providing new, targeted incentives for homebuyers and developers who invest in vacant homes. For more information visit our website at www.baltimorehousing.org.