1. A low cost structure built to contain workshops for local youth to learn various trades.

2. Volunteer tradesmen teach local youth skilled trades such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical, masonry, etc. with a focus on sustainable practices.

3. Once trained at the Trade Up! facility, their new skills are put to use fixing up rundown houses in the immediate neighborhood and sold at affordable prices. The sales could fund the project.

4. The temporary structure is made of shipping containers or other prefab systems with ample windows for natural light. A portion of the lot contains a green space courtyard. Ideally, the lot would be drilled for geothermal heating and cooling to supply the new structure or even the entire block.

5. The remaining vacant lots in the block have full size, hand drawn facades depicting new homes. Made of plywood, these facades serve as an advertisement for the program, to inspire others and to enliven the blocks.

With so many vacant and abandoned homes in the city in need of fixing up, the vacant lots seem to be a secondary issue. Once the existing structures are fixed up, such as the ones in this photo, the vacant lots can then be used to build new homes as well as community green spaces and bring the blocks back to their original density. Baltimore blocks are best used for homes, businesses and as neighborhoods.