October 10, 2025

Baltimore Residents Oppose Johns Hopkins New AI Institute

News Summary

Residents from Wyman Park and Remington are raising concerns over Johns Hopkins University’s planned AI Institute. They fear the project may undermine stormwater protections, threatening local restoration efforts and exacerbating flooding issues. Community members highlight potential chemical contamination and environmental degradation as key worries, even as the university promises improvements to stormwater management. The project aims to create thousands of jobs and bolster Baltimore’s tech landscape, yet residents remain skeptical of its impact on their neighborhood’s safety and greenery.

Baltimore Residents Oppose Johns Hopkins University’s New AI Institute Over Environmental Concerns and Project Size

Residents of two Baltimore communities, Wyman Park and Remington, are voicing strong opposition to Johns Hopkins University’s (JHU) planned Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Institute (DSAI). The main concerns focus on a waiver that the university is requesting, which would purportedly weaken stormwater protections during the construction phase. Community members argue that this move threatens significant taxpayer-funded restoration efforts and the watershed located in their vicinity.

Hillary Gonzalez, a prominent figure in the local BMoreAgainstDSAI campaign, emphasized that stormwater runoff poses considerable environmental risks. Baltimore has invested over $10 million in restoring Stony Run, compelling residents to believe that additional development in the area could jeopardize these substantial efforts. Furthermore, local residents report ongoing flooding issues and express concerns regarding the emotional toll of construction activities, as well as potential reductions in green spaces within the neighborhood.

Residents are also worried about possible chemical contamination stemming from nearby construction projects, such as the Agora Building. In response to these community concerns, JHU took action following a city inspection by erecting a fence around the DSAI construction site aimed at managing stormwater runoff.

The city is currently allowing public comments regarding the DSAI project until Friday, October 10, at 4:30 PM. In a bid to address community concerns, a JHU spokesperson mentioned that the university is enhancing stormwater management infrastructure to accommodate increased rainfall patterns, resulting from climate changes.

To alleviate flooding concerns, the university is reportedly upgrading its systems, including a new stormwater line that will be equipped with 20% more capacity, alongside the installation of a 500,000-gallon rainwater cistern. The DSAI project is projected to position Baltimore as a leading tech hub, anticipating the creation of approximately 11,000 jobs and yielding an expected economic impact of $1.6 billion.

This controversial project entails the construction of two new buildings near Wyman Park Drive and Remington Avenue, with completion anticipated by 2029. In response to resident feedback, JHU has already reduced the size of the DSAI facility by 30%, now measuring around 476,572 square feet. The construction efforts will also involve planting 300 new trees to compensate for those that will be removed during the building process.

In light of worries raised by residents about the structural integrity of homes in the area, JHU has proposed structural surveys to be conducted before construction begins. The university is also engaging environmental consultants to monitor and preserve Stony Run Creek and local wildlife during the duration of the project.

To ensure open communication, JHU has hosted a series of community meetings—14 in total over the past two years—to address local concerns. The primary aim of the DSAI project is to contribute significantly to advancements in healthcare, science, and technology.

Despite these plans, community members continue to seek assurances regarding measures to minimize the impact of construction noise and vehicle traffic on their neighborhood, indicating that environmental and social considerations remain central to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the DSAI initiative.

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LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana

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