Baltimore Grows

As someone who lives a block away from the future McHenry Row development, I have a natural interest in the project’s progress.  Here’s a synopsis of what’s happened at the construction site since last October: NOTHING.  Or at least not much more than nothing.  I snapped the photos here back in October of 2008 – almost 9 months ago.  If you drive by today, you’ll see not much has changed.  Developer Mark Sapperstein ran out of financing back in the fall (BBJ article), and apparently is still working on the new funding.

I say the project’s a tease because the amount of buzz and excitement it has stirred up with area residents.  Federal Hill and Locust Point desperately need a decent grocery store.  Unless you have a special taste for moldy produce, the Shoppers at Southside Shopping Center comes no where close to “decent.”  McHenry row promises to bring relief in the form of a sparkling new Harris Teeter.

Additionally, many of us are excited about other tenant names being thrown around like Panera, Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Greene Turtle.  The latter two are both shown on the McHenry Row Website, so there’s likely already a deal in place with those two.  But given the delays, those deals could fall through perhaps.  Green Turtle is particularly exciting.  Having a nice restaurant/bar with outdoor seating and parking in South Baltimore will be a unique luxury.

We’re happy to have another guest post today courtesy of Urban Discoveries Living Blog. Check out all their great content.

The State Center was supposed to be one of those far-sighted projects that would help transform Baltimore into the vibrant, accessible city of the future. Though it wasn’t scheduled to be completed until 2018, even just the vision had a lot of people excited. The idea:  to redevelop and reshape the 28 acres around the current State Center, an area that currently includes huge city offices, a light rail stop, and… a lot of parking lots and chain-link fences. The State Center development was supposed to change all that, reconnecting neighborhoods and creating a vibrant livable community. But problems have cropped up—new legislation, worrisome language in the state budget—that have some people worried that Baltimore is just going to end up with more of the same.

Why spend so much time and money on the area anyway?  Well, there are plenty of assets not being taken advantage of here, is the thinking—not only does the area already boast a much-used transit hub (both the light rail and the subway stop here), and it’s here that vibrant neighborhoods (Mt. Vernon, Seton Hill, Bolton Hill) would come together, if there was anything there worth coming together for. So the stuff is there, for the most part; it’s just not connected well at all. Continue Reading »

The approval for slots by voters in Maryland last week could give a much needed boost to development in Baltimore during a tough economic period.  As evidenced by the City Council’s quick approval to purchase a parcel of land in South Baltimore, development of the proposed slots parlor could be swift.  The slots bill was written so that only one casino could be built within the city limits, essentialy limited to the area adjacent to the proposed Gateway South Development. 

While not connected to Gateway South, the slots parlor could give that project a real boost.  Gateway South developers hope to take advantage of the site’s proximity to 295 (i.e. commuter traffic from DC). 

The development plan (which has already received master plan approval from the City) is for an active and lively transit oriented mixed use project that includes 1,000,000 sf of class A waterfront office space, 150,000 sf of retail, a 90,000 sf indoor sportsplex, a 70,000 sf multimodal transportation terminal, parking and a rehabilitated site on which to locate the development and with which to connect the City’s greater open space network. 

Follow this link to find out more about the Gateway South Project:

http://www.cormonydevelopment.com/projects-gateway-south.html#

Here are some renderings…this project is by Cormony Development Company.  The slots parlor will be on one of the vacant lots just north of this site (you can sort of make it out in the last picture).  A developer for the slots parlor has not been selected yet.  The slots parlor and Gateway South Project will be built on mostly former industrial/warehouse brownfield sites.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

The future Legg Mason / Fours Seasons project will command the highest rent of any property in Baltimore; likely $40+ per square foot. Prices at the current Legg Mason building (100 Light Street) are in the high $20s. It’s not surprising because the new Harbor Point project is should be pretty pimped out.

Once Legg Mason makes it’s move across town 100 Light street may have a hard time filling the 21floors vacated. Tenants may be looking for some more modern accommodations, which is why the building owners plan on some upcoming upgrades. But i’s hard to beat the location and views of 100 Light Street.

Read more on the MD Daily Record site

An independent report by consulting agency KPMG ranked Baltimore as having the most business-friendly tax climate in the United States.? Baltimore trailed San Juan Puerto Rico which would be considered top in the nation if you include U.S. Territories.? The report indicated that Baltimore ranks 8th globally.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

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An article in today’s Baltimore Business Journal outlines Struever bros. plans for a large development that includes a 38 story tower.? I’m not sure if this is completely new or a variation on the multiple plans we have seen in the past.? See past Port Covington posts.? It sounds like an ambitious project.? Apparently the review panel objects to the number of residential units and height of the tower in Struever’s plan… sounds familiar.

Sheila Dixon is apparently optimistic about getting major retail back in Baltimore according to an article in “B”, Baltimore Sun’s new? daily tabloid.? This seems to confirm the rumors that Canton Crossing and Harbor East developers have been courting major upscale retailers such as Saks, Neiman Marcus, and Barneys.?

Read the Article on B the Site

The Baltimore Sun reports that Harris Teeter has signed a lease in McHenry Row, formally known as the Chesapeake Paperboard site in Locust Point. LP will finally be getting its high end grocery store that many of us have been waiting for!

To read more, visit the link below. The article says there will be curbside pick up for pre ordered groceries and will have a “sushi bar, pizza bar, artisan cheese selection and a healthy section of prepared foods.” It is just too bad it won’t open until 2010.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.harris06may06,0,6952574.story

Baltimore City officials are again setting their sights on the revitalization of the Oldtown Mall just east of Downtown Baltimore.? While revitalization efforts have come and gone over the past several years, it seems as if the chances are better now than ever.? Nestled between downtown and the burgeoning Hopkins area, this area is prime real estate.? Reference March 4th Post.?
Read today’s Baltimore Sun Article

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

The Baltimore City Board of Estimates just gave approval for the purchase of 2.5 million dollars worth of property in the Charles Station North neighborhood which could clear the way for future development.? The deal includes the long sought after Chesapeake restaurant and other properties along Charles and Lanvale Streets.? The Baltimore Development Corp had already selected a developer for the project, however, it’s unclear whether that developer is still involved.? Renderings and a description of the initially planned $50 million project,? called Chesapeake Square,? are still posted on Peter Fillat Architects website http://www.pfarc.com/chesapeake.html

“Occupying nearly an entire city block, this mixed-use complex will provide new retail, office, residential and parking facilities in the Charles North neighborhood of midtown Baltimore. The Chesapeake House Restaurant, which has been vacant for years, will be converted into street-level retail that will bring a sense of “feet on the street” to the already vibrant block of North Charles Street. The second level will consist of retail space also, and will be integrated with the first level in a mezzanine arrangement. On the third level of the building, office space is being inserted and will connect to an addition planned for the back of the site. Eleven floors of residential condominium space and eleven townhomes comprise the residential component of this project.”

? The project, which is literally a stones throw away from Penn Station, is well poised to take advantage of the transportation centric movement.? The proposed building is also adjacent to the Charles Theatre and several lively bars.?

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com