News Summary
Residents of Wyman Park and Remington are voicing concerns over Johns Hopkins University’s proposed Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Institute, citing environmental fears and potential flooding due to construction. The project requests a waiver to reduce stormwater protections, raising alarms about jeopardizing restoration efforts in the area. The university plans to address these issues but community members are apprehensive about noise, traffic, and the impact on local ecosystems. Public comments on the project are open until October 10.
Baltimore – Residents of two communities in Baltimore, Wyman Park and Remington, are mounting opposition against Johns Hopkins University’s (JHU) newly proposed Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Institute (DSAI) project, citing serious environmental concerns and the project’s significant size.
Community members assert that JHU has requested a waiver that would reduce stormwater protections during construction. This has raised alarms as residents believe the project could jeopardize millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded restoration efforts and threaten the local watershed.
Hillary Gonzalez, the organizer of the BMoreAgainstDSAI campaign, emphasized the risks that stormwater runoff poses to the environment. This concern is particularly significant given that the city has invested over $10 million in recent years to restore Stony Run, leading residents to worry that further development could undo this valuable work.
The communities have been experiencing ongoing flooding issues, which they fear will worsen due to the construction. Residents report emotional distress related to the potential impact on green spaces, and there are heightened fears regarding possible chemical contamination from adjacent construction projects, such as the Agora Building. In light of these concerns, JHU has begun putting up a fence around the DSAI site to improve stormwater management, following a city inspection.
Public comments on the DSAI project will be accepted by Baltimore City until Friday, October 10, at 4:30 PM. A spokesperson for JHU has stated that steps have been taken to enhance stormwater management systems to accommodate the predicted increases in rainfall. Plans include infrastructure upgrades such as a new stormwater line that will have 20% greater capacity compared to existing systems, along with the installation of a 500,000-gallon rainwater cistern.
The DSAI project is part of JHU’s aim to establish Baltimore as a technology hub. It is projected to create approximately 11,000 jobs and deliver an economic impact of around $1.6 billion. The scope of the project involves constructing two new buildings near Wyman Park Drive and Remington Avenue, with completion aimed for 2029.
In response to resident concerns about the project’s impact on homes, JHU plans to conduct structural surveys before construction work begins. To mitigate the environmental impact, the university has also engaged environmental consultants dedicated to monitoring and protecting Stony Run Creek and local wildlife during construction.
The DSAI project has seen some adjustments based on feedback from community members. JHU has reduced the size of its facility by 30%, bringing it down to approximately 476,572 square feet. Furthermore, as part of the landscaping plans post-construction, the project will include the planting of 300 new trees to compensate for the loss of those that will be removed.
Additionally, residents have voiced concerns regarding the potential noise from construction activity and the increase in vehicle traffic, prompting discussions about feasible solutions to minimize disruption during the building phase. The university has held 14 community meetings over the past two years to facilitate dialogue and address local apprehensions regarding the project.
Overall, while Johns Hopkins University aims to leverage the DSAI project for significant advancements in healthcare, science, and technology, the apprehensions of Wyman Park and Remington residents reflect a deep-rooted concern for the environmental and social impacts of such a significant development in their neighborhoods.
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: Johns Hopkins DSAI Development
- Wikipedia: Environmental Impact Statement
- The Banner: Johns Hopkins AI Center
- Google Search: Johns Hopkins environmental impact
- Baltimore Fishbowl: Structural Surveys Offered by JHU
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Stormwater Management
- WMAR2 News: Controversy Over JHU AI Institute
- Google News: Johns Hopkins DSAI
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
