The market of the market shows the advance of larger Baltimore on growth and revitalization

By Megan Sayles
Afro Staff author
msayles@afro.com

Experts in economic development, real estate developers and city officials gathered on May 15th in Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor for the Greater Baltimore State of the Market. The event produced by Bisnow was developed to investigate investment opportunities and challenges as well as the revitalization efforts of the community in Baltimore City and its surrounding counties.

The mayor of Baltimore, Brandon M. Scott, opened the program and advertises with the growing attraction of the city as the goal for innovation and corporate growth.

“This is the place for companies that want to make courageous movements. You can only look around.” We know that companies take advantage of our location and our resources as a logistics center and one of the largest and most important ports in the world – not to mention our participation in medicine and hospitals. We know that we have the best in the world. ”

An important development on the horizon, which Scott pointed to it, is the multi -million dollar transformation of Hafenplatz. It will bring new commercial and living areas and public amenities such as floating wetlands and an amphitheater to the inner port.

He also highlighted upgrades to the houses of the Baltimore Ravens and Orioles in the M&T Bank Stadium and Camden Yards, which will help to surpass walk to local companies.

Overall, Scott said that the public-private development of almost $ 7 billion will be forecast for the city center of Baltimore by 2028 alone.

“There is an opportunity everywhere where they look in Baltimore,” said Scott. “Our dynamics have been the strongest in years because we have the lowest violent crimes we have seen for 50 years.”

Jennifer Jones, CEO of the Howard County Development Authority, discussed the way in which the residents could make contributions to the local development of the community. Howard County is preparing to break the ground in a number of projects, including Gateway, which transforms the area around the Columbia Gateway Drive into a new innovation district.

Jones explained that the general plan of the district, which has been updated around every 10 years, identified growth areas and development plans. The youngest blueprint, which also includes Gateway, was taken over in 2023.

“In order to approve this plan, we have a lot of engagement with the public, and it has to be coordinated by County Council,” said Jones. “Howard County is a very committed community. If you have a meeting of the County Council, it is not just one or two people in the room. At all development sessions, we have already went to the community.”

Chris Mfume, Managing Director of the Civic Group, highlighted his work in Baltimore. His company heads a project to move the mayor's cable and communication center to a free location in West Baltimore.

The site is also revised to provide Baltimore artists and creative a new hub.

He emphasized that Baltimore already has the assets required to thrive, but the city has to use it better.

“I hope that in five years we will have a flourishing city center that has been reorganized as a residential area because it has to be,” said Mfume. “I hope that we will continue with our public security profits and that we continue to hear from the tour that we are ready to grow so that we can put on capital.”