The Equity Factor

Baltimore Has Even More Plans for Developing the Inner Harbor

The 70-page plan outlines an ambitious future for Baltimore’s already-touristy Inner Harbor.

An artist’s rendering of the proposed new Inner Harbor.

This is your first of three free stories this month. Become a free or sustaining member to read unlimited articles, webinars and ebooks.

Become A Member

Baltimore leaders last week released grand plans for redeveloping the city’s Inner Harbor, now known mostly as a place where you can take younger relatives to climb a gargantuan jungle gym. The Baltimore Sun called the idea “ambitious,” which feels like an understatement.

Though it has no price tag yet, the 70-page plan comes complete with visions of bike share, a pedestrian bridge and — this is a nice touch that urban aesthetes will love — a barge pool. If we can believe the renderings, it could transform the area, which attracted about 14 million tourists in 2012, into an even more lucrative spot for Charm City.

This comes the same week Baltimore Community Foundation President Thomas E. Wilcox disputed a New York Times article about how destruction is a path to renewal.

“Your article about the destruction of houses in Baltimore belies a more comprehensive story about Baltimore, a resurgent city,” Wilcox wrote to the Times. “Even as public and private partners are finally eliminating substandard housing that should have never been built in the first place, Baltimore’s downtown is bursting at the seams. An old city is being transformed into a vital metropolitan area, and as we replace inappropriate housing with parks and urban farms, more and more residents can look forward to a comfortable lifestyle in a vital part of America.”

A revitalized Inner Harbor might fit Wilcox’s definition of a “comfortable lifestyle,” but at what cost to the city? There’s no timetable — some speculate that it could take up to 30 years — or specifics about cost. Greater Baltimore Committee CEO Donald C. Fry, a member of the team that put the plan together, told the Baltimore Business Journal that the pedestrian bridge alone could cost between $30 million and $60 million. The bridge, Fry said, “is a good opportunity to explore significant private sector contribution.”

Which is exactly the kind of thing we like to hear. While it’s not quite stadium welfare, Baltimore is in no position to shell out billions of dollars on a place that already attracts people. Sure, fix up the lights and spruce up the park. But you can’t just drop $60 million on a pedestrian bridge. (You may want to put that money, for instance, into schools and transit infrastructure.)

If the private sector wants to play ball, though, Baltimore could move full steam ahead. The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore Inc., a group in charge of the planning, said it hopes to release full cost estimates in the next two months. We’ll keep you updated on the project as more details become available.

Meanwhile, an economic impact study found that the harbor’s 3,000 workers and tourism generate about $2.3 billion in economic activity for the region. That it’s already a destination will arguably make it easier to secure funding.

The Equity Factor is made possible with the support of the Surdna Foundation.

Like what you’re reading? Get a browser notification whenever we post a new story. You’re signed-up for browser notifications of new stories. No longer want to be notified? Unsubscribe.

Bill Bradley is a writer and reporter living in Brooklyn. His work has appeared in Deadspin, GQ, and Vanity Fair, among others.

Follow Bill

Tags: economic developmentparksequity factorbaltimore

×
Next City App Never Miss A StoryDownload our app ×
×

You've reached your monthly limit of three free stories.

This is not a paywall. Become a free or sustaining member to continue reading.

  • Read unlimited stories each month
  • Our email newsletter
  • Webinars and ebooks in one click
  • Our Solutions of the Year magazine
  • Support solutions journalism and preserve access to all readers who work to liberate cities

Join 1096 other sustainers such as:

  • Gabby at $5/Month
  • Abigail at $10/Month
  • Gloria at $5/Month

Already a member? Log in here. U.S. donations are tax-deductible minus the value of thank-you gifts. Questions? Learn more about our membership options.

or pay by credit card:

All members are automatically signed-up to our email newsletter. You can unsubscribe with one-click at any time.

  • Donate $20 or $5/Month

    20th Anniversary Solutions of the Year magazine

has donated ! Thank you 🎉
Donate
×