Community Owner Derek Lisonbee criticizes Pigtown Main Street's rejection of business tenants

In a recent meeting of the Board of Municipal & Zoning Appeals, community concerns took center stage as Derek Lisonbee, representing property owner Lonnie Allen, voiced frustrations over local business approvals in Pigtown, Baltimore. Allen, a long-time community member, has owned the properties at 772 and 774 Washington Boulevard for over two decades. However, after a period of vacancy and a small fire, he has struggled to find tenants willing to occupy the space.

Lisonbee described a troubling atmosphere in the neighborhood, suggesting that a small group of individuals, likened to a "modern-day mafia," has undue influence over which businesses can operate in the area. He claimed that attempts to bring a barbershop and a lounge to the properties were thwarted by community opposition and regulatory hurdles, including calls to the fire marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Despite Allen's efforts to maintain the properties and engage with the Pigtown Main Street organization for tenant referrals, Lisonbee argued that the community has not actively participated in filling the vacant spaces. He emphasized that if the community truly wanted to shape its business landscape, it had ample opportunity to do so.

The meeting highlighted the ongoing tension between community desires and the realities of local business development, raising questions about the role of community organizations in fostering a welcoming environment for new enterprises. As discussions continue, the future of Allen's properties remains uncertain, reflecting broader challenges faced by neighborhoods striving for revitalization amidst conflicting interests.