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BDC Issues RFP for Jonestown and Washington Hill Properties

Date: 
August 25, 2008
                                                               

Baltimore, MD (August 25, 2008) – The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) in partnership with the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) and the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), and on behalf of the City of Baltimore, today announced that it has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for eight city and HABC-owned properties in the Jonestown and Washington Hill neighborhoods of Southeast Baltimore for redevelopment.

 

The eight parcels, which are adjacent to the Albemarle Square HOPE VI redevelopment project and the Central Avenue Corridor, include:

 

  1. 1301 E. Lombard Street
  2. 1303 E. Lombard Street
  3. 1305 E. Lombard Street
  4. 1307 E. Lombard Street
  5. 1309 E. Lombard Street
  6. 1120 Granby Street
  7. 110 S. Central Avenue
  8. 130 S. Central Avenue

 

The parcels total approximately 1.6 acres and are bounded by East Lombard Street to the north, Lloyd Street to the west, East Pratt Street to the south, and South Central Avenue to the east.

 

Central Avenue is a heavily traveled north/south thoroughfare ranging from the Inner Harbor and Lancaster Street to the south, to Orleans Street to the north.  The Central Avenue Corridor connects Baltimore’s Inner Harbor East, Little Italy, and Jonestown neighborhoods with the Fells Point, Perkins Homes and Washington Hill neighborhoods.

 

 

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Several undeveloped lots exists in Jonestown that were originally part of the $90 million Albemarle Square HOPE VI project and the associated PUD (Planned Unit Development), including the development parcels offered in this RFP west of Central Avenue.  The Albemarle Square community, situated directly west of the site, consists of 343 townhouses and apartments that include both market-rate and affordable for-sale and rental housing.

 

With the exception of the 130 S. Central Avenue (also known as the DPW site) all the development parcels are currently vacant and unimproved land.  The DPW site is comprised of historic properties.  Proposals for the redevelopment of the DPW building must include plans for the historic renovation and adaptive reuse of the existing structure.  The former Gerry’s Tire Service Building, also located at 130 S. Central Avenue, may be considered for demolition.

 

The site offers a unique opportunity to serve as an eastern gateway to the Central Business District to the west, and as a northern gateway to the Little Italy, Inner Harbor, Fells Point and Harbor East neighborhoods to the south.  It is adjacent to Baltimore’s famed Corn Beef Row, the Jewish Museum of Maryland, and recent prominent development along the Central Avenue Corridor including: Harbor East, the Canal Street Malt House, the Holland Track Building and Baltimore International College.

 

BDC is seeking proposals from qualified developers in accordance with the following city objectives:  1) Redevelopment of the site as a market-driven mixed-use project that includes a combination of one or more of residential, office, commercial/retail and parking land uses; 2) A project that incorporates a comprehensive view of this section of Southeast Baltimore and the Central Avenue Corridor that complements existing and planned projects; 3) Redevelopment of the site in a manner that is fully integrated with surrounding land uses and neighborhoods – enhancing the Albemarle Square project and  respecting the historic nature of the Jonestown, Little Italy and Washington Hill communities; 4) A project that capitalizes on the site’s location and creates a gateway to the nearby city neighborhoods, the Central Business District and the Central Avenue Corridor; and 5) A project that creates employment opportunities, generates new taxes and provides new housing options for the City of Baltimore.

 

To learn more about this offering, contact BDC Economic Development Officer Marianne Navarro at 410-837-9305 or mnavarro@baltimoredevelopment.com.  The RFP can be downloaded from BDC’s website at www.baltimoredevelopment.com.

 

All proposals, accompanied by a $400.00 non-refundable check, are due by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 21, 2008.