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West North Avenue authority seeks permanent status as DLS urges caution on grant increases
Summary
The West North Avenue Development Authority told lawmakers it has distributed nearly $9.6 million in grants, received strong demand from applicants, and is seeking permanent status as DLS recommended holding grant increases until outcomes against the comprehensive plan are demonstrated.
The West North Avenue Development Authority (Winona) told the subcommittee it has distributed grants, completed a comprehensive neighborhood plan and now seeks permanence and expanded funding to implement redevelopment strategies in the West North Avenue planning area of Baltimore.
DLS analyst Elizabeth Weibel told the committee that Winona was established in 2021 and that the authority’s fiscal 2026 allowance rises to $22.4 million, largely because grants account for roughly $20 million of the proposed funding. She noted three city grants totaling about $450,000 planned in prior years that were not provided to the authority and that the agency used state general funds originally targeted for grants to supplement operations.
Weibel recommended a cautious approach: DLS advised reducing the FY26 grant allowance by $5 million to hold grant funding level with FY25 until the authority demonstrates whether its grant strategy is producing the longer‑term outcomes identified in its comprehensive plan, such as reducing vacancies, increasing homeownership and reversing depopulation.
Winona Executive Director Chad Williams told the subcommittee the authority distributed 31 grants totaling about $9.6 million in FY24 and received 103 eligible applications totaling roughly $108 million in requested funding for a target area of roughly 2.2 square miles. Williams said the authority currently has 14 authorized positions (three vacancies) and that the agency is seeking statutory authority to accept non‑state funds, which the current statute does not permit.
Williams also asked that the subcommittee release a restricted $250,000 in FY25 grant funding now that Winona has submitted a grants manual and the comprehensive report requested by the joint chairmen. DLS indicated it will start the process to release that funding if no committee objections are raised.
The authority asked for statutory permanence (current statute sunsets in 2026) and for continued state grant support to implement the comprehensive plan; DLS recommended conditional funding adjustments and requested that Winona provide additional outcome metrics before larger increases are approved. There were no formal votes during the hearing.
