Liberty Road is dying– now is the time to act

By Ryan Coleman Has anyone noticed? Liberty Road, a main corridor of Baltimore County, is dying. The main problem: a lack of investment and vision– and dollar stores.& Since W.E.B. Du Bois published “The Philadelphia Negro” in 1899, scholars have explored the role of organizations in shaping the social and economic landscape of historically Black neighborhoods. Local governments prompt and manage community development in their own jurisdictions all the time; it’s a part of their responsibilities to ensure a level of quality for residents. For those in the Baltimore county area, the fact that now is the time to act on those responsibilities couldn’t be more clear.& Liberty Road is at a breaking point and what will follow is the Black middle class flight.& NAACP Randallstown President, Ryan Coleman Recently, the Walgreens on Milford Mill and Liberty Road shuttered its location, making it harder for residents to get prescriptions and other items. At our meeting, residents asked Baltimore County Councilman Julian E. Jones (D-4) why this flight of stores has continued.& “We don’t need trash cans and lights– we need grocery stores, book stores and sit down restaurants,” said one attendee.& & “Liberty Road is at a breaking point and...