You probably know Wendell Pierce from his portrayal of Detective Bunk Moreland on “The Wire.” If not, you might remember him as Antoine Batiste, the trombonist from “Treme.” However, you’re probably not as familiar with the work that Pierce has been doing away from the set.
In 2013, he announced he was opening a chain of grocery and convenience stores in New Orleans, but his latest project is a much bigger development.
While participating in a panel at Columbia University, Pierce announced his latest project alongside three of his former castmates from “The Wire,” Sonja Sohn, Felicia Pearson, and Jamie Hector. It is a $20-million apartment complex that will be built in Baltimore’s arts district. Pierce announced the construction project is expected to break ground in July.
Pierce says this is just the beginning of a jobs program he hopes to expand in Baltimore. Pierce says that the apartment complex will offer discounted rates to artists. These artists will also have an opportunity to have their work showcased in galleries within the building, but this is just part of his plan to revitalize Baltimore.
The construction team for the project will be partially made up of Baltimore residents. As Pierce announced:
“They’re not going to be the entire workforce, but we wanted to put together a jobs program for people from the community.
He continued:
“This is a pilot program to make sure that the template is there.”
He finished by saying that if this project is successful he intends to expand it to the rowhouses in nearby communities.
This is the latest in Pierce’s humanitarian work. His efforts to revitalize his hometown of New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina were widely praised. Pierce is continuing his attempt to create jobs in the communities that have been home to some of his greatest characters. These efforts have earned him praise from various organizations, and in February, he was chosen to be the commencement speaker for Rutgers University – Newark.
Pierce played an important part in two of the most widely beloved HBO dramas of the last decade. Now he is trying to revitalize The Bunk’s home community with his latest private project.
Pierce declined to identify his fellow investors and the development company, but if this pilot project is successful it could go a long way towards rejuvenating the Baltimore arts district. Creating much needed jobs and affordable housing is a great start.
