Baltimore Mayor Scott Outlines Vision for Future in State of the City Address

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott delivered his annual State of the City address Monday evening, highlighting public safety improvements, educational progress, and a wide array of new initiatives aimed at driving long-term growth and stability. Speaking at the M&T Bank Exchange under the theme “Built Different, Building Different,” Scott focused on Baltimore’s continued transformation, describing efforts to reduce violence, rehabilitate vacant properties, and invest in community-focused development.

Mayor Scott emphasized educational gains as a major success of his administration, pointing to national rankings that place Baltimore students second in the country for reading progress. To maintain momentum, the mayor announced goals to boost grade-level proficiency in reading and writing by more than 10% and to more than double math proficiency rates by 2027. The announcement reflects a renewed collaboration with Baltimore City Public Schools.

Efforts to combat the opioid crisis were another key focus. The city has secured nearly $700 million through settlements and legal victories related to opioid distribution. These funds are now being reinvested into communities through a comprehensive strategy overseen by the Office of Overdose Response and the Restitution Advisory Board. The city’s approach aims to provide long-term, sustainable support to neighborhoods hit hardest by the epidemic.

Mayor Scott also announced a full overhaul of Baltimore’s 311 system, designed to improve communication and access to city services. Known as the 311 Reimagined Project, the effort began in October 2024 and seeks to make the platform more responsive to residents’ needs. Additionally, the mayor introduced the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment (MOACE), a new agency that will coordinate and promote Baltimore’s creative economy under the leadership of Linzy Jackson III.

The mayor unveiled “Reframe Baltimore,” a comprehensive plan and new website aimed at ending the city’s vacant housing crisis within 15 years. Developed with BUILD and the Greater Baltimore Committee, the initiative includes a $3 billion capital strategy backed by public and private funding, with $50 million committed annually by the state. The strategy includes the country’s first non-contiguous Tax Increment Financing (TIF) model to convert vacant properties into affordable housing.

In closing, Mayor Scott introduced a package of zoning reforms aimed at modernizing outdated codes and enabling the construction of more affordable and multifamily housing options. He also signed an executive order authorizing the Mayor’s Office of Infrastructure Development (MOID) to reform capital project delivery, intending to improve transparency, oversight, and the pace of infrastructure investment across the city.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the Office of Mayor Brandon M. Scott

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