Baltimore 's Inner Harbor and waterfront and adjacent neighborhoods represent one of the City's greatest potential opportunities for expanding the revenue base through private investment, neighborhood revitalization and attraction of new residents and tourists. In June, 2002, the Mayor announced that a team led by Cooper Robertson and Partners of New York was chosen through a competitive process to lead the Master planning process. The study area extends from Camden Yards to Harbor Point (former AlliedSignal site), and from Pratt Street to the foot of Federal Hill. An Advisory Committee was formed, including government agencies, civic leaders and community groups, to review and comment at key stages of the study. A working group, represented by BDC, Department of Planning and Department of Transportation, provided review and comments.

Key aspects of the Plan include: transforming the “ring road” of Key Highway, Light, Pratt and President Streets into a more pedestrian friendly waterfront boulevard; reinforcement and/or creation of visual and physical connections from surrounding neighborhoods to the waterfront, terminating in appropriately designed public spaces; strategies to improve the balance between vehicular and pedestrian traffic and incorporate planning for future mass transit; significant improvements to the South Shore and West Shore areas as enlarged and enhanced public parks offering open lawns and festival spaces, specially designed garden areas and possible underground parking beneath Rash Field; stronger definition of the continual waterfront promenade route; and, development guidelines for the remaining development sites.

This effort is a collaborative effort between the Executive, Planning / Design and East Teams. For more information please contact Colin Tarbert, Senior Economic Development Officer..