For Dan Van Allen, the decision to move into the Hollins Market neighborhood was easy.
He was anxious to own a home, and a traditional Baltimore rowhouse was available there for $10,000.
After looking at a few other communities, Van Allen moved into the Southwest Baltimore neighborhood in 1980 from the D.C. area. He was drawn to the neighborhood's historic feel and its proximity to downtown and Hollins Market, one of the city's oldest markets.
But in the nearly 25 years that Van Allen has lived there, he has watched his community struggle with drugs, poverty and vacant housing as people choose to leave the area. Recently, though, the neighborhood association has pushed for reform while plans for a nearby biotechnology park could spur revitalization.
About 25 percent of the more than 1,100 Hollins Market houses are vacant, according to the 2000 Census. And one-third of the residents of this area are impoverished, data show. A family of four, including two children, is considered in poverty if the family's total income was less than $17,000 when census data were compiled five years ago.
"It's not the worst area," said Van Allen, 51, who restores furniture.
"It's definitely a lot better than some of the neighborhoods behind the Avenue Market."
Van Allen is part of a growing effort to improve his neighborhood. For the past 18 years, he has helped organize the Sowebohemian Arts Festival, an annual arts show that draws visitors to the neighborhood. He also is president of the Arabber Preservation Society, a volunteer group that supports the city's colorful horse-cart food vendors.
Michael Dannenberg, a 10-year resident, also is committed to reviving his community. As president of the neighborhood association, Dannenberg helped form a partnership six months ago with nearby treatment centers. The centers run group homes in the neighborhood and help spruce up community properties.
In another project, the neighborhood association gathered comments and concerns from a two-year survey of 300 residents. Dannenberg said some residents were worried about vacant housing, while others said there aren't enough activities for children.
"There were areas of concern with drugs and crime but [topics] changed from what part of the neighborhood we were surveying," said Dannenberg, 53.
Association members will present these comments and seek solutions at a public meeting this month.
