For years, plans to revitalize the Superblock have been stalled, preventing much-needed progress, investment, and job creation on Baltimore's West Side.

In March, I announced a compromise between the developer and community leaders to preserve the legacy of Read's drugstore, revitalize the city's West Side, and create job opportunities for city residents. The developer for Lexington Square has agreed to preserve the visible exterior walls of the Read's Drug Store building in honor of the 1955 sit-in and to design an appropriate commemoration, following ongoing discussions with the community.

This week, I was by joined by local church pastors and representatives from the Dawson Company, the second-generation African American-owned development company leading the Superblock redevelopment, for an onsite tour of the proposed Lexington Square project (Baltimore Sun). Standing with the founding members of Community Churches for Community Development and representatives from the Downtown Partnership, I urged Baltimore's Commission for Historical Architectural Preservation (CHAP) to allow the Lexington Square Project to move forward.

I was pleased that CHAP has now voted to allow the compromise to move forward. This is great news for Baltimore's Westside. I am grateful for all the community support that made this possible.

The Lexington Square project is estimated to create more than 600 construction jobs and will, at completion, generate approximately 750 permanent jobs, $18 million in sales tax annually from the retail space, and $2.3 million annually in real estate taxes. The mixed-use redevelopment project will include approximately 500,000 square feet of retail and residential space and parking. The influx of investment and activity will significantly boost foot traffic, improve public safety, and give impetus to the revitalization of Baltimore's West Side.

Importantly, the Lexington Square project will implement preservation strategies for several buildings in the development, resulting in the preservation of over 89% on Lexington Street and 76% on Howard Street of the contributing historic buildings that comprise the existing street walls.

This week's developments are a major step forward for this long-delayed project. Together with community support, we are able to move the project forward, protect these historic buildings from further neglect, honor history, and create new job opportunities for Baltimore.