Council OKs Steps to Improve Baker Ave.

To revitalize Baker Avenue, the City Council this week approved a number of changes--including the street’s name.

The new name, yet to be selected, might discourage the so-called Baker Street Gang from congregating in the 2300 block of Baker, police said, and help change the negative perception that the community has of the area.

Police Chief Patrick E. McKinley told council members that there have been break-ins at vacant houses on the cul-de-sac, which is made up of 16 fourplex buildings owned by 10 different people.

A person who owns five of the complexes has been largely unresponsive, McKinley said, to repeated city notices seeking corrections of health, safety and fire code violations, though minimal repairs have been made. The property owner could not be reached for comment Friday.

To combat what appears to be gang-related vandalism and other crime in the area, police have opened a substation in the neighborhood. Several residents urged the City Council to do more and called for a crackdown on property owners who fail to comply with city codes.

Councilman Peter Godfrey responded: “We can make a recipe to correct this particular area, but it’s going to take several ingredients.”

The council then approved a series of actions, including to continue a rental housing inspection program; repair existing alley and street lights, and add new ones; replace deteriorated pavement; and help Baker Avenue homeowners establish a property association.

The city also will consider providing low-interest loans or grants for the rehabilitation of the fourplex units on the cul-de-sac.