The 2700 block of Tivoly Ave. is a street with a sad past.
It is the block on which Iven Bailey had grown up, later becoming one of more than 2,200 high school students who in 2005 were attending class even while homeless. The Sun chronicled his story and his return to a rented room on Tivoly for a portion of his senior year at nearby Lake Clifton High School.
And it is the block on which a rowhouse at 2781 burned in May 1982, killing 10 people in the cramped dwelling. The fire started when a candle toppled over and ignited a sofa and is still ranked as the city's deadliest blaze in the past 60 years.
As the houses tumbled yesterday, residents spoke about the sense of community that has remained on the block despite the blight. People know each other, and still try to look out for one another.
Tony McIntosh, who has lived on Tivoly for about 40 years, said that he wanted to see the block improve, and he didn't believe demolishing it was the way to do it.
"I can remember when there was green grass," he said. "There was a community. We all looked out for one another." To a degree, he said, it is still that way, but now he and his family will soon begin looking for another place to live.
"I have been living here all my life," McIntosh said. "I've seen it prosper and I've seen it go to the dogs."
Now, he said, they are coming in to tear it down. "I ain't saying I am against change, but this is ridiculous."
Zac Jones, who rents a house with his sister and her children, said he was not happy about the demolition, just a few doors away from his front porch.
"To me this is not fun. It is pretty sad," Jones said. He believes his family and other renters won't come out as well as the homeowners.
Tivoly Avenue has been the scene of violent crime, including several homicides in past years, and rampant drug dealing. Maj. Delmar Dickson, commander of the Northeastern District, said drug dealers use the vacant houses to stash drugs and guns, while homeless people will live there and sometimes create fire hazards.
"This [demolition] is desperately needed for this area," Dickson said. "They have been vacant for quite some time. You've got to do something to create hope."
gus.sentementes@baltsun.com
Sun reporter Liz Bowie contributed to this article.
