A positive step was taken forward today in the pursuit of a new arena in Baltimore. A Maryland Stadium Authority Study released this afternoon showed the need for more convention center space in Baltimore. What does the convention center have to do with a new arena? Developer Willard Hackerman is willing to finance the new arena and attached hotel if the state agrees to publicly fund a convention center expansion, also attached to the new arena. The study also found that the First Mariner Arena is functionally obsolete and no longer able to accommodate many popular events.
We’ve delved heavily into the present and future of downtown and the Inner Harbor in recent articles and this project is certainly a huge domino chip for both areas. I described the portion of Charles Street cutting through downtown as “the place where vibrancy dies.” The arena/convention center/hotel would occupy the block of Charles St. between Conway St. and Pratt St. in the Inner Harbor, leading into Center City. Obviously this would be huge for the Inner Harbor and downtown.
“It has the potential for a Millennium Park [Chicago]-type feel,” Mike Evitts of Downtown Partnership told me in regards to the future of the First Mariner Arena site. Downtown Partnership is hoping to turn at least part if not all of the site of First Mariner Arena into a park, opening up into an improved Hopkins Plaza. The sooner a new arena gets built the sooner that could potentially become a reality. Having been to Chicago this summer, Millennium Park is spectacular.
While an expanded convention center is probably not very exciting for South Baltimore residents as it appears there is already enough space for the Boat Show, O’s Fanfest and Otakon, the new convention center could really help the surrounding areas. The state-of-the-art complex would help lure some of the best national and international conventions, providing a big boost for local hotels and businesses.
What’s next for the arena? Now the state will spend $2.5 million to fund the design of the entire project, already slotted in this year’s fiscal budget. The city and state must also work hard to find funding for the the convention center expansion which will cost an estimated $450 million. “We can’t expect the taxpayers to pay for all of it, we have to use some private financing and we will work hard in the next couple of months to figure out how to accomplish that,” Councilman William Cole told SouthBmore.com.
Here is the statement issued by Mayor Rawlings Blake: “I greatly appreciate the thoughtful analysis the Maryland Stadium Authority provided with this study…This project is ambitious, and the details of how to secure the public and private financing are complex. Building a new, world-class convention center in the heart of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor will strengthen our tourism industry and spark new growth throughout the city.”
So what does this mean for South Baltimore residents? Personally I feel it is an absolute sin that a city like Baltimore has an arena as below par as First Mariner. Sure First Mariner gets events and lots of them, but not important ones. No Maryland basketball or college basketball games, no NBA games, no NHL games, no NCAA tournament basketball, no Arena League Football and no major concerts. The Dew Tour left Baltimore because they wanted to use an arena for some events and we couldn’t provide that.
We deserve to have great events and they will never come to Baltimore until a new arena is built. If the state can work hard enough to lure major conventions than it’s a no-brainer. This is money spent that brings money back in, unlike many things the state spends fortunes on. Let’s get it built before Hackerman changes his mind, which would cost us arena funding and potentially the site which is currently the Sheraton Inner Harbor.
The arena will be an easy walk right up Charles St. for most South Baltimore residents, easier than Camden Yards for most. The amount of new entertainment options that could enter your walkable agenda could be endless. Hey, maybe we’ll even get an NHL, NBA or Arena Football team. This city needs a new arena and while these studies are often looked at as a joke by many, at least a new arena is one step closer to a reality.
Full Press Release and Study from City of Baltimore:
| City and MSA Release Feasibility Study for Proposed Expansion of the Baltimore Convention Center |
| BALTIMORE, MD (March 5, 2012)—Today, the City of Baltimore and the Maryland Stadium Authority released the study of a visionary plan for a new downtown arena complex between Camden Yards and the Inner Harbor. The concept, proposed by the Greater Baltimore Committee in May 2011, would incorporate the expansion of the existing Baltimore Convention Center and the redevelopment of the adjacent Sheraton Hotel.The study, requested jointly by Governor Martin O’Malley and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake, evaluated the market and economic potential of the proposed project, portions of which would be publicly and privately financed. Replacement of the City-owned 1st Mariner Arena is a City priority. Locating it adjacent to an expanded Convention Center and new hotel overlooking the harbor is an opportunity to transform Baltimore. “I greatly appreciate the thoughtful analysis the Maryland Stadium Authority provided with this study” said Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake. “This project is ambitious, and the details of how to secure the public and private financing are complex. Building a new, world-class convention center in the heart of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor will strengthen our tourism industry and spark new growth throughout the city.” Market research indicates that there is a significant demand for additional space at the Convention Center to host more, larger, and simultaneous events. Baltimore’s proximity to population centers, association headquarters, and transportation routes were cited as market advantages. Also mentioned was Baltimore’s connection with medical, pharmaceutical, and biotech interests. The study also found that a downtown location, with its cluster of attractions, accommodations, and sports venues is beneficial. Packaging the Convention Center (the publicly financed portion of the project) as part of an entertainment and hospitality complex—as opposed to a stand-alone facility—enhances its appeal as a destination package for national and international convention planners. This would benefit the private businesses along the corridor with its synergy and landmark design. The study also references the downside of not addressing the aging facilities. 1st Mariner Arena, while successfully operating since 1962, is functionally obsolete and no longer able to accommodate many popular touring events. The Convention Center, originally constructed in 1979 and expanded in 1996, has fallen behind newer and more versatile facilities and will lose its market share without substantial renovations. The study concludes that the Greater Baltimore Committee proposal presents the City of Baltimore and State of Maryland with an unprecedented opportunity to leverage private sector resources with public dollars to achieve economic growth and quality of life amenities. The next steps for the City and State are to estimate construction and project costs after preliminary design, determine the available private sector financial investment, and develop a financing strategy. “The Stadium Authority was happy to work with both the City and the State to provide them with the analysis they need to make an informed decision about this proposal.” noted Chairman John Morton, III. “We stand ready to assist with this proposal if asked.” The complete study, performed by Crossroads Consulting Services, is posted on the Maryland Stadium Authority website at: http://www.mdstad.com/content/view/105/143/. |
