East Baltimore redevelopment

[Gayle Melnick]

For everyone here that lives or invests in Baltimore city, what do you think of the East Baltimore redevelopment? 

https://www.bizjournals.com/ba...

Broadway East and Oliver have a ton of vacant buildings and generally a lot of crime. Do you think the state pumping money into the area will result in a real revitalization of the area? It looks like they're rehabbing a couple of old vacant buildings and bringing some new jobs to the area. 

I'm looking at redfin and zillow in these neighborhoods and you see vacant, trashed buildings listed for sale for $5-50K next to fully rehabbed houses at $150-200k.

There's definitely rehabbing going on in this area, I'm wondering if anyone on here is actively flipping in this area? 

Does anyone have any experience with the city's "Vacant to Value" application process?

I'm very new to real estate investing. I'm buying my first two rental properties that just require small cosmetic rehabs in Charles Village and Dundalk closing next month. I don't have the capital to try to get involved with a flip right now, and I'd be hesitant for my first flip to be in an area that seems like a lot of speculation rather than in an established neighborhood, but I'm just curious if others on here are taking a look at this area.