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On Tuesday, January 6th at 10 A.M., Governor Martin O’Malley headlined the ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the completion of The Baltimore Station Expansion in South Baltimore, 140 W. West Street (corner of West and Leaden hall). Other elected officials and dignitaries were on hand and will also speak about the successful partnerships that made this project happen on time and on budget.
The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates the completion of the construction that began last November on Veteran’s Day to expand The Baltimore Station to accommodate an additional 42 beds for veterans who are homeless primarily due to addiction. For the past 20 years, The Baltimore Station has been providing comprehensive, residential recovery services to men and has a proven track record rehabilitating men who have served our country, and would have otherwise been lost to themselves and society. Operating in two former firehouses in Baltimore (South Baltimore and the other in Seton Hill), The Baltimore Station currently serves more than 200 residents each year, 90 residents at any one time –half of them veterans.
Foundations, government agencies and individuals contributed funds that totaled $4.5 million for the expansion. Major donors to the Expansion Project include the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Weinberg Foundation, the Abell Foundation, Maryland Multi-Housing Association, Muni Mae Foundation, Acadia Windows and Doors, Mary Catherine Bunting, David and Susan McFarlane, Frank and Sally Gray and The Baltimore Station’s Board of Directors. The new addition bears the name of Harry and Jeanette Weinberg.
In addition to cutting the ribbon, Governor O’Malley will place the cornerstone with a time capsule to include items symbolizing the Vietnam War, Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts and the recent victory of President-elect Barack Obama. The event included refreshments and guided tours of the new facility. Residents, alumni and program officers of The Baltimore Station were on hand to talk about the program and how it is a real-life model of recovery not available in other institutional rehabilitation programs across the City.