Mayor Brandon M. Scott is shaking things up in Baltimore with strategic new appointments aimed at bolstering the city’s approach to housing and planning. On Thursday, the Mayor announced his picks for key positions: Timothy Keane for Commissioner of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Renata “Ren” Southard as Planning Director, and Alice Kennedy stepping in as Executive Director of Community Affairs and Engagement in the Mayor’s Office, starting March 2. Keane’s and Southard’s nominations concluded an exhaustive six-month search that spanned both local and national candidates, signaling a major move for the city’s urban development strategy.
“Baltimore is becoming a pioneer in housing and community development, literally breaking new ground in our work to overcome a challenge that has plagued our city for generations: the vacants crisis,” Mayor Scott said. In a statement obtained by Baltimore City’s official website, the Mayor emphasized the transformative work that’s expected, “As we accelerate that work and continue looking for innovative ways to drive Baltimore’s renaissance forward, I am grateful to have such dedicated housing, community development, and planning experts leading the way.”
Keane and Southard aren’t newcomers to civic service in Baltimore, each serving in top roles within the local government. Keane, the current Planning Director since 2025, and Southard, active in various DOP and DHCD roles since 2018, will be tasked with assessing and reorganizing their agencies, possibly merging them to optimize resources. The goal is to streamline and improve coordination across permitting, planning, design, and community development. The Mayor has tasked them with a six-month comprehensive study to identify inefficiencies and potential solutions…