Judge Dismisses Maglev’s Attempt to Condemn Westport Waterfront Development Property

Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail (BWRR), the organization looking to construct the high-speed Maglev train between Baltimore and Washington, had its attempt to condemn a 43-acre Westport waterfront property dismissed by Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kendra Ausby. Developer Ray Jackson of Stonewall Capital has a $500-million, mixed-use development, called One Westport, planned for the property.

From Baltimore Business Journal:

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kendra Ausby tossed maglev builder Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail’s attempt to condemn property in Westport because the company did not get necessary approval from the mayor and City Council.

“There is no reason to send the case forward and so the motion to dismiss is granted,” Ausby said.

“I am very appreciative of the support we have received from the community, mayor, and planning department who all want to see ONE Westport developed into a thriving residential and retail development,” said Jackson in a statement to SouthBMore.com. “I am appreciative Judge Ausby sided with us as we knew BWRR did not have the authority to take our land and I look forward to continuing through the development process to ensure we build a community everyone is happy to have worked on and live in!”

BWWR told Baltimore Business Journal it will appeal.

Harbor West Collaborative, which opposed the BWWR condemnation, tweeted,”Victory!”

BWWR hopes to build the Baltimore station in Cherry Hill. In Phase Two, BWWR hopes to build a track through part of the Westport property before it tunnels under Downtown. Phase Two would also extend the Maglev to Wilmington, DE and Philadelphia, PA.

Stonewall Capital has three partners for Phase One of One Westport. Ryan Homes is building 247 for-sale townhomes in Parcel B, New Harbors is building a 300-unit affordable housing development at Parcel A, and Woodfield Development is building a 350-unit apartment building with 40,000 sq. ft. of retail at Parcel C.

Jackson said Ryan Homes and New Harbors continued moving forward in an “expedient manner” while the condemnation case was pending, but Woodfield stopped engineering until the case was resolved. Discussions with developers for the remaining three parcels were delayed while the case was pending.

Stonewall Capital is submitting documents for subdivision and hopes to have an early-fall hearing on this with the Baltimore City Planning Department.

Renderings courtesy of Ryan Homes

Rendering courtesy of WRT and Stonewall Capital 

Master Plan rendering for courtesy of Stonewall Capital and MRA

About the Author: Kevin Lynch

Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.