Since 1981
History & Legacy
From Cherry Hill's origins to 45 years of resident-led community development.
Cherry Hill Development Corporation was born from a simple but powerful conviction: that residents should have a meaningful voice in the future of their community.
For 45 years, that conviction has shaped CHDC's work across housing, planning, partnerships, and community development. The history of CHDC is inseparable from the history of Cherry Hill itself — a community with deep roots, a robust organizing tradition, and an unwavering belief in its own future.
Origins
Cherry Hill's Origins & Resident Organizing Traditions
Cherry Hill was developed in the 1940s as one of Baltimore's first planned residential communities on the city's southern peninsula. From its earliest years, Cherry Hill residents demonstrated a robust tradition of self-organization — forming civic associations, tenant councils, and neighborhood groups to advocate for better services, safer streets, and quality housing.
This culture of resident organizing was not incidental — it was foundational. Cherry Hill residents understood that their community's future depended on their own collective action, and they built the institutions to make that action possible.
By 1981, that organizing tradition had matured into something more: a resident-led community development corporation with the capacity to develop housing, participate in planning, and advance community-rooted investment from within Cherry Hill.
Timeline
A Legacy of Resident Leadership
From Cherry Hill's origins in the 1940s to homes under construction today — 45 years of community-led development, one milestone at a time.
Pre-Development History
Cherry Hill was briefly considered as a site for Baltimore town. Colonial-era iron mines operated southwest of the area. The land was known for its heavily forested, rolling terrain.
Lakeland & English Consul
Mining ponds gave rise to the neighborhood of 'Lakeland.' The isolated mini-neighborhood of English Consul, named for the estate of William Dawson (first English Consul to the Baltimore District), occupied the southern foot of Cherry Hill.
Broening Park
Cherry Hill came to public attention when flats to the northeast were acquired by the city to be developed as a park named after Governor Broening. The park was immediately turned over to the Maryland Yacht Club for private use for 38 years.
Cherry Hill Announced
City Planning Department names Cherry Hill as the site for a planned African American housing community. Intense protests from surrounding white communities followed.
Ground Broken
Construction begins. The plan calls for 375 acres including public housing, private subdivisions, schools, and parks. National magazines cover Cherry Hill as a social experiment.
First Residents Move In
Cherry Hill Homes opens. Residents praise their new surroundings. Within a year, complaints about faulty construction and inadequate services begin. The cherry trees that gave the neighborhood its name were removed during construction — a loss that would not be addressed for more than 70 years.
Cherry Hill Coordinating Council
The Cherry Hill Coordinating Council (CHCC) is formed as an early civic organization and coordinating body for neighborhood concerns — a clearinghouse to prevent duplicating the efforts of other civic groups working in the area.
Presbyterian Church Grant
The Cherry Hill Presbyterian Church is named one of 12 churches nationally to receive a grant from the United Presbyterian Church's Slum Revitalization Project.
Welfare Rights Movement
Claudia Williams co-founds the welfare-rights movement in Cherry Hill — organizing residents for dignity, opportunity, and fair treatment for working families. In the 1960s, she brings her daughter Betty Keaton-Baze into the fight. That organizing tradition shapes Betty's lifetime of service and lays the personal foundation for her role as a co-founder of CHDC.
Incinerator Fight
A group calling itself INCITE challenges city officials over the Reedbird Incinerator located in Cherry Hill's backyard — an early environmental justice battle.
Historical Sketch Published
Carl I. Thistel, ACSW, publishes 'Cherry Hill — Historical Sketch,' documenting the neighborhood's history from the 1600s through 1970.
CHDC Incorporated
Cherry Hill Development Corporation is formally incorporated. Co-founded by Betty Keaton-Baze, Greg Countess, Maryland Legal Aid, Anthony Waters, and others — residents who believed their community deserved a voice in its own future. From day one, resident leadership was central to the organization's model from the beginning.
Building the Foundation
Under CHDC's first Executive Director Evelyn McCoy, CHDC establishes its governance, builds city partnerships, and develops its reputation as a longstanding community development institution in Cherry Hill. Betty Keaton-Baze participates in the planning and renovation of Cherry Hill Homes — buildings MD 11, MD 12, and MD 17 — and plays a pivotal role in the development of Cherry Hill Senior Manor.
Cherry Hill 2000 & Community Legends
CHDC serves as a core partner in Cherry Hill 2000 — a major resident-driven master planning effort for the neighborhood. Over 39 organizations participate. In November 1995, Cherry Hill honors its community legends at Arnett Brown Middle School. Claudia Williams receives the 'Spirit of the Tireless Warrior' Award. Betty Keaton-Baze is also honored.
Riverfront Townhomes — $23 Million Investment
CHDC co-develops the Riverfront Townhomes — a $23 million LIHTC redevelopment that transforms the former Hanover Park Apartments into quality affordable housing. A central purpose of the project was to support resident stability and preserve affordable rental housing in Cherry Hill. This project strengthened CHDC's role in affordable housing development.
Community History Published
John R. Breihan of Loyola College publishes 'A Community History of Cherry Hill,' based on 17 oral history interviews recorded in 2000.
Riverview Estates — 24 Homeownership Units
CHDC co-develops 24 new affordable homeownership townhomes at Riverview Estates, creating a meaningful and accessible pathway to homeownership in a neighborhood where affordable homes for purchase had been scarce.
Cherry Hill Master Plan Adopted
For the first time, Cherry Hill has a comprehensive neighborhood master plan — developed with resident input and adopted by the City of Baltimore. CHDC participates in its development, with Michael Middleton serving as a consultant. The plan establishes a long-term framework for housing, transportation, open space, and economic development.
Cherry Hill Urban Community Garden Founded
CHDC Board member Juanita Brown-Ewell founds the Cherry Hill Urban Community Garden next door to CHDC's office. Under her leadership through 2015, the garden provides fresh produce, gardening education, and a beloved community gathering space. Following her passing in 2015, CHDC continues operating the garden through 2018, when the Black Yield Institute assumes stewardship.
Cherry Tree Restoration
Betty Keaton-Baze partners with Blue Water Baltimore to plant nearly 150 cherry trees across Cherry Hill — reclaiming the neighborhood's identity and its name. The original cherry trees had been removed during construction in the 1940s. More than 70 years later, Betty helped bring them back.
Black Yield Institute & Food Sovereignty
The Black Yield Institute assumes stewardship of the Cherry Hill Urban Community Garden from CHDC — continuing the food sovereignty mission that Juanita Brown-Ewell founded in 2010.
Cherry Hill Transformation Plan Adopted
The most comprehensive neighborhood plan in Cherry Hill's history is unanimously adopted by the Baltimore City Planning Commission. Michael Middleton serves as Executive Director. That same year, CHDC organizes food distribution for over 3,000 residents during COVID-19 — distributing more than 100,000 pounds of food, documented by the Baltimore Sun.
BRHI Launch
CHDC launches the Blight Reduction & Homeownership Initiative (BRHI) to convert vacant and blighted properties into affordable homeownership opportunities for income-qualified buyers.
Legacy Homeowner Repair Initiative
CHDC launches the Legacy Homeowner Repair Initiative (LHRI) in partnership with Healthy Neighborhoods — supporting longtime Cherry Hill homeowners with grants of up to $10,000 for critical repairs. Early implementation identified and served 13 legacy homeowners.
Patapsco Pointe — Project CORE Grant
CHDC is awarded a Project CORE grant by Maryland DHCD to fund the demolition of Patapsco Elementary School — a critical step toward new housing at the Patapsco Pointe site. CHDC works with qualified development partners to advance Patapsco Pointe as a significant redevelopment aligned with Cherry Hill's long-term community development priorities.
First BRHI Homes Completed
In April 2026, CHDC completes its first two BRHI homes at 2731 and 2801 Round Road. The homes are intended to support long-term affordable homeownership opportunities for income-qualified buyers.
Advancing Community Priorities
CHDC is actively advancing adopted community planning priorities through affordable housing, homeownership, preservation, resident engagement, and responsible development partnerships. Current work includes BRHI, Patapsco Pointe, the Legacy Homeowner Repair Initiative, and community land trust-based homeownership opportunities. Cherry Hill's story is still being written.
Cherry Hill community members at the Cherry Hill 2000 Community Legends recognition ceremony, November 1995.
What We've Built
Major Accomplishments
$23M Riverfront Townhomes Redevelopment
One of the largest affordable housing investments in Cherry Hill history. Transformed deteriorating housing stock into quality affordable homes, supporting resident stability.
24 Homeownership Units — Riverview Estates
New affordable homeownership townhomes that gave Cherry Hill families a meaningful and accessible path to pursuing affordable homeownership in their neighborhood.
Three Major Community Plans
Consistent participant in Cherry Hill 2000, the 2008 Master Plan, and the 2020 Transformation Plan — helping ensure resident voices were reflected in major planning efforts.
Legacy Homeowner Repair Initiative
13 longtime homeowners served with critical repair assistance, supporting their investment and helping preserve their connection to Cherry Hill.
Blight Reduction Homeownership Initiative
5 homes total: 2 completed in 2026 and available for purchase; 3 in active development — converting vacant and blighted properties into affordable homeownership opportunities.
"This is what 45 years of community development looks like when it compounds."