First grants awarded through Amtrak’s $50 million community investment commitment to mitigate construction impacts
BALTIMORE – Eleven West and Central Baltimore organizations will receive more than $4.1 million from Amtrak to support workforce training, neighborhood improvements, youth programs, historic preservation and other initiatives as construction advances on the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program.
“Amtrak is investing in West and Central Baltimore through the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program, and we’re excited to award this first round of community grants that will further advance local community priorities,” said Amtrak Assistant Vice President Luigi Rosa, who is leading the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program. “This is the first of many community investments we will make over the coming decade as Amtrak works to deliver a modern tunnel that improves rail service while creating lasting benefits for Baltimore.
“As Amtrak continues its work to replace the B&P Tunnel, these community grants ensure that Baltimoreans will see their share of benefits from this critically important infrastructure project,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. “Though this project has state-wide and national significance, the day-to-day impacts of construction will be felt most directly by the people of West and Central Baltimore. These funds ensure that the people in our communities are involved and invested in the process from start-to-finish.”
“This investment will help ensure that the residents of West Baltimore benefit directly from Amtrak’s work to replace the B&P Tunnel,” said Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “As we continue to see historic progress across our city—including through projects like this one, with regional and national significance—we want to make sure Baltimoreans feel the positive impacts. That’s why we’re so excited about these grants, which support community-driven efforts to create jobs, strengthen workforce training, and connect young people with career opportunities.”
“We applaud the commitment of our partners at Amtrak to invest in the West Baltimore community through the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Project Development and Delivery Joe McAndrew. “Serving local communities is the core mission of the Moore-Miller Administration and the Maryland Department of Transportation, and this project is supporting healthy communities in diverse ways – from bringing faster and better service for Amtrak and MARC riders, to a brand-new West Baltimore MARC station and direct investments in valued partner organizations.”
“For too long, communities in West Baltimore have borne the burden of large-scale infrastructure projects without seeing enough of the benefit,” said Baltimore City Councilmember John T. Bullock. This funding is an important start, but we will continue pushing to ensure that investments are equitable, transparent, and truly responsive to the needs of our residents.”
“West Baltimore deserves to see the benefits of the major investments happening in its neighborhoods,” said Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman. “When companies like Amtrak invest in the communities where they operate, they can help create new opportunities for residents and strengthen the neighborhoods that make Baltimore such a special place. These grants are an important step toward ensuring that this historic infrastructure project delivers meaningful benefits for West Baltimore residents.”
The Community Investment Program is a key component of Amtrak’s B&P Tunnel Replacement Program, which is building a brand-new rail alignment and modern tunnel to replace the existing 153-year-old B&P Tunnel. The Community Investment Program is part of Amtrak’s commitment to mitigating construction impacts in the community over the 10-year construction period for this critical infrastructure investment. Additional mitigation activities include sound barriers, noise and vibration monitoring, extensive community outreach to identify and address any issues that arise, and more.
Over the next decade as construction advances, Amtrak will invest a total of $50 million in the West Baltimore community through the Community Investment Program. The overall B&P Tunnel Replacement Program will deliver an additional $750 million of direct infrastructure benefits to the City of Baltimore, including new road bridges, utility infrastructure, a modern commuter rail station, and more.
Below is an overview of the selected grantees and projects announced in this first round. Award amounts and selected grantees are preliminary and may be modified during the funding agreement negotiation and execution process.
Amtrak is awarding Community Investment Grants to 11 different organizations within the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program alignment.
Community Development
- Baltimore City Office of Information Technology will provide computers and digital skills training in five locations, including a senior center, a public housing property and recreation centers along the alignment in Midtown-Edmondson, Sandtown-Winchester, Bolton Hill and Penn North.
- Higher Achievement Program will run an after-school program that provides academic enrichment, social-emotional learning, mentoring, and high school readiness programming for students in grades 4-8 at Mount Royal Elementary/Middle School.
- Parity Baltimore Incorporated will use their grant for streetscape improvements such as lighting installations, planters and greenery, facade upgrades, murals and public art in Midtown Edmondson.
- The Be Org will provide space for youth to access STEM education, workforce development and other community-based education in Penrose/Fayette Street Outreach.
- Wide Angle Youth Media will provide an after-school program that teaches youth how to create media arts projects at Baltimore Design School.
Parks and Recreation Facilities
- Baltimore Montessori Inc will improve the school’s yard and expand after-school programming in Greenmount West.
- Bentalou Recreation Council will restore and resurface the Mary Ann Winterling Elementary gymnasium floor as well as add new basketball hoops to support youth programming.
- Edmondson Community Organization Inc will transform a vacant lot in Midtown Edmonson into a park by installing a brick paver plaza and pedestrian walkways, and adding landscaping with shade, benches, trash receptacles, bike racks and park lighting.
Workforce Development
- Dent Education Inc will run an earn-to-learn youth workforce program where participants will get paid to develop professional skills in Charles North.
- Green Street Academy will run a workforce initiative that connects community members to career opportunities in transportation infrastructure, construction, Construction Design Management and skilled trades in Carroll-South Hilton.
Historic Preservation
- Eutaw Place Non-Profit Corporation will restore the Emerson Mansion and provide as well as community space.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) detailed the application requirements and procedures, and Amtrak selected grantees based on merit and eligibility via a competitive process.
The next round of Community Grant applications will open in Spring 2027. To stay informed about future Community Investment Program updates, visit BPTunnel.com/CIP for more information.
About the B&P Tunnel Replacement Program: The existing B&P Tunnel in Baltimore is the oldest Amtrak tunnel and a single point of failure for the 15 million Amtrak and MARC customers who rely on it. This 1.4-mile tunnel opened in 1873 and suffers from a variety of age-related issues, leading to frequent delays and extensive maintenance needs. The tunnel is at capacity and its tight curves limit train speeds to a maximum of 30 mph.
The B&P Tunnel Replacement Program, Amtrak’s largest-ever infrastructure investment, will unlock the most congested rail bottleneck south of New Jersey with two new state-of-the-art tunnels for electrified Amtrak and MARC passenger trains, along with a new fully accessible West Baltimore MARC Station, 10 miles of rail infrastructure upgrades, and local street and bridge improvements along the alignment.
View the playlist below for videos from the announcement event, including the check signing/presentation and remarks from the following speakers:
- Amtrak Assistant Vice President Luigi Rosa (leading the B&P Tunnel Program)
- U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume
- MDOT Assistant Secretary for Project Development & Delivery Joe McAndrew
- Maryland State Sen. Antonio Hayes
- Baltimore City Councilmember John T. Bullock
- MTA Deputy Administrator & Chief Program Delivery Officer Kate Sylvester
- Mary Ann Winterling Principal Kimberly Hill
Fact Sheets
Images
Videos
Major Projects
