Highlandtown Middle project looms large for Patterson Park

Patterson Park residents fear that development headed for the abandoned Highlandtown Middle School could threaten the revitalization of their neighborhood.

For months, they have complained that the city has shut them out of the process to develop the seven-story structure next to Patterson Park in Southeast Baltimore. More than 100 residents gathered with three potential developers on Saturday and agreed to create a group of residents to help advise on the project, said City Councilman James Kraft, who represents the district and lives several blocks from the former school.