Flag House Courts

Flag House Courts was a public housing project located in Baltimore, Maryland. Comprising three 12-story buildings, Flag House was built in 1955. The project had recreational facilities with bingo and dances, a swimming pool, and a basketball court. However, the complex had problems from its opening. Elevators broke down often, trapping riders for hours. Residents were forced to run fans (even during winter) because a faulty heating system made the buildings unbearably hot. In addition, there were the problems of crime and drug dealing. By the late 1960s, gunshots were not uncommon, drunks ran around making a lot of noise, people threw trash out their windows, vacant apartments were turned into drug hangouts, and stairwells became violent crime areas.

In 1993, the projects were renovated slightly, but problems continued. They closed in 1998 and 1999 and were imploded in 2001.

Bibliography

*Hayward, Mary Ellen and Charles Belfoure (2001). "The Baltimore Rowhouse". Princeton: Princeton Architectural Press.
*O'Donnell, John (1996). "City housing officials pick team to head Flag House Courts project; Complex will be leveled, replaced with 260 units." "Baltimore Sun". June 3.
*Valentine, Paul (1995). "2nd High-Rise to Go." "Washington Post". December 4.