Oct 18, 2024 Story by: Editor
In the aftermath of the catastrophic collapse of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, the community of Turner Station is grappling with uncertainty. The bridge, a vital link for this historically Black neighborhood, was destroyed in seconds on March 26 when a container ship lost control and hit one of its support piers, killing six construction workers.
For decades, Turner Station residents relied on the bridge as a lifeline, providing access to jobs, family, and services. Now, with plans to rebuild the Key Bridge by 2028, the absence of this crucial infrastructure presents new challenges for people like Loreasa Minor, a long-time resident. “Do I relocate? Do I get a new job?” Minor ponders, as her commute has doubled since the collapse. Despite the difficulties, she remains attached to her roots in Turner Station, where her grandparents settled, and where she lives near her parents and church. “I don’t want to do either of those. I love my job. Who wants to start from scratch?”
Turner Station’s history is rooted in its founding as a community for Black steelworkers during segregation. Originally, it flourished as part of the shipbuilding industry that thrived in Baltimore during WWI and WWII, with its residents building a self-sustained, prosperous community. In its prime, the neighborhood had businesses, recreational spaces, and a thriving population of around 9,000. However, population decline set in by the 1950s as rezoning for industrial use led to the demolition of housing, and manufacturing jobs diminished. The closure of the Bethlehem Steel plant in 2012 further worsened the situation, causing younger generations to leave in search of better opportunities.
Today, Turner Station’s legacy is kept alive by its residents, many of whom, like longtime community leader Courtney Speed, recall its rich history and notable figures. Speed, 84, owns one of the neighborhood’s longest-running businesses and proudly recounts Turner Station’s innovative spirit. “It’s our culture to make something out of nothing,” she says. Among the community’s prominent figures is Henrietta Lacks, whose cells contributed immensely to medical research, and former NASA astronaut Robert Curbeam.
U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume, who also grew up in Turner Station, highlights the values the community instilled in him: “Work hard, play by the rules, love your country, cherish your faith, respect the elderly, and always believe that you can succeed.” He has been working with other Maryland officials to secure full federal funding for rebuilding the bridge. Residents have voiced concerns about potential damage to local buildings from the collapse and are already frustrated by the heavy traffic rerouted through their streets. Rising property values, gentrification, and flooding also pose significant challenges, prompting residents to call for more action.
Amidst these struggles, the hope for Turner Station’s future is intertwined with the promise of the new Key Bridge and ongoing redevelopment projects. While the bridge reconstruction is expected to take four years and cost $1.7 billion, state officials have assured that the surrounding communities will be involved in the planning process. Jobs generated from construction and the nearby Tradepoint Atlantic logistics hub offer a potential economic boost, although the high-paying jobs of the steel industry are unlikely to return.
Community leaders like Gloria Nelson and younger residents like Antuan “Sleep” McQuaige and Quanny Avondale are actively working to preserve Turner Station’s history while pushing for future growth. McQuaige is raising funds to bring back a youth football team, and Avondale is encouraging young men to invest in local real estate. Nelson has been advocating for resources to address housing, flooding, and environmental issues.
At Mount Olive Baptist Church, located near where the Key Bridge once stood, Pastor Rashad Singletary continues to inspire hope in his congregation. “Sometimes it’s hard to go through and trust God when you don’t see nothing working,” he preached in a recent sermon, encouraging his congregation to keep their faith despite the challenges they face. “I just believe that if God brought me from all the things I’ve been through before. He’s not gonna leave me now.”
For the people of Turner Station, the road ahead is filled with uncertainty, but their resilience and deep connection to their community remain strong as they navigate this new chapter. Source: NBS NEWS
