January 7th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Gov. Larry Hogan and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake got together Tuesday in the neighborhood that last year became the focal point for police issues with Freddie Gray's death to announce what they believe will be a transformative initiative.

The Republican governor and Democratic mayor announced a multi-year, multi-hundred-million dollar plan called Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise) with a press conference in the West Baltimore neighborhood of Sandtown-Winchester. The city-state partnership will see thousands of blighted vacant buildings demolished and replaced with green space, including the entire 1000 block of North Stricker Street in Sandtown. That's the first block set for demolition.

The elimination of blighted portions will also be aided by $600 million in financing help from state housing officials, including $150 million in the 2016 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The goal is to encourage developers to invest in projects like housing that will attract families and support growth.