The Baltimore Carpenter's Project

Have you ever seriously considered why there is so much urban blight in Baltimore?

The population of Baltimore took as drastic decline beginning in the 1950’s. Prior to that time, Baltimore’s population was steadily approaching 1 million. The loss of population lead to a decreased demand for housing. Unwanted properties were neglected and resulted in the blight we see today.

There are a myriad of contributing factors to the loss of Baltimore’s population and it is not the purpose of this post to discuss the political and economic causes. The purpose of this post is to discuss the solution.

Solution to Baltimore’s blight and dilapidation is CARPENTERS!!! Obviously, this point would appear bias coming from the Baltimore Carpenter’s Project, but let us consider the facts.

1. Carpenters have built every major city in America. This includes housing and every place of employment.
2. Prior to 2000, the Baltimore Metro had over 3000 union carpenters. They built the industrial, office, and hospitality buildings Baltimoreans were employed in.
3. Today, union carpenters in the Baltimore Metro are less than one-quarter their peak number.

Most citizens of America have no idea of how much carpenters have contributed to our society. If everyone knew the value of skilled carpenters, our society would not have promoted college degrees while ignoring the need to foster the next generation of skilled tradesmen. The decline in those employed in skilled labor (especially carpenters) is the reason why urban renewal projects fail to have the intended impact.

If we intend to rebuild Baltimore, we most encourage and inspire a new generation of carpenters. We must encourage and support carpenters in taking the lead in renewal, rehabilitation, and renovation projects in the city. Who other than a group of carpenters can take a rundown property and transform it into a piece of art?

“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.” — Plato

Support BCP’s effort to train the next generation of carpenters to rebuild Baltimore!!!