BELWARD FARM

In 1989, Belward Farm was sold to Johns Hopkins University for $5 million, much below its $54 million
estimated value with the understanding that Hopkins would build a minimally intrusive medical or academic
campus that would preserve the character of the farm and provide a legacy for the Banks family who had
owned it for over 100 years.  

  • Deed restrictions called for “agricultural, academic, research and development, delivery of health
    and medical care and services, or related purposes only”.  

  • Johns Hopkins Real Estate has ignored the intentions of the former owner, Elizabeth Banks, her
    family and the community by proposing a high-density, high-rise commercial complex with retail on
    Belward Farm  to accommodate over 15,000 people

  • Elizabeth Banks' family has filed suit against Johns Hopkins for breach of donor intent.

  • The  job density of the farm will rival a downtown area near a Metro station.  Yet Belward Farm is five
    miles from the nearest Metro station and is immediately adjacent to three established residential
    neighborhoods.  

  • The proposed buildings will rise to 150 feet and will dwarf the bucolic farmstead and surrounding
    neighborhoods.

  • If Johns Hopkins Real Estate prevails, the Corridor Cities Transit (CCT) will traverse the length of the
    farm on a 150 ft right-of-way.  This approach will cause automotive and pedestrian havoc at nearby
    intersections, further destroying the character of Belward Farm and the community.    Homes will be
    destroyed, noise walls will be built and  railroad-style gates may be necessary at the entrances to
    Mission Hill and Washingtonian Woods.

  • Hearings have been held by the Maryland State Highway Administration to determine the final
    alignment for the CCT.  

Letter to the President of Johns Hopkins University  

Letter from the President of Johns Hopkins University

Second letter to the President of Johns Hopkins University

The addresses for the President of Johns Hopkins University and the Chair of the Board of Trustees is on
the ADDRESSES page.  Write to them about your opposition to Johns Hopkins Real Estate's plan for Belward
Farm.