[13][14][15] By the mid-1970s, the neighborhood was already characterized by Johns Hopkins professor Phoebe Stanton as "architecturally rich but [...] in poor shape," due to the presence of vacant and previously demolished homes.

[16] The neighborhood was selected as part of a multi-million dollar federally funded redevelopment plan alongside five others in 1996, leading to the formation of an organization called the Village Center of Poppleton.

Tasked with fulfilling promises to redevelop the area and attract new investment and jobs, the organization failed to deliver on its purported goals.

Historical societies, religious institutions, community activist groups, and some political candidates have all voiced opposition to the redevelopment, however, there has been little response from Baltimore City Hall on the issue.

[19] The initial phase of construction was criticized by academic Lawrence Brown, who contended the city's redevelopment plan had "spurred rapid gentrification" within the neighborhood.