The Westside Initiative is a public/private partnership to renew the west side of downtown Baltimore into a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood. Bounded by Charles Street to the east, Pratt/Camden Streets to the south, Martin Luther King Boulevard to the west and roughly Read Street to the north, the Westside Initiative is the most aggressive redevelopment plan for the Baltimore’s central business district since the 1970’s Charles Center Redevelopment Project. Nearly $800 million in capital funds have been invested in the Westside creating more than one million square feet (SF) of additional institutional and cultural space; 250,000 SF of retail; 137,000 SF of new office space; and 900 additional hotel rooms. More than 2,700 new market rate apartments and condominiums have been developed with approximately 1,900 units in the planning phase and an additional 300 units in the conceptual phase.

The Westside Initiative includes four strong sub-markets: City Center, the historic center of downtown which is transitioning from Class B office space to a residential community; Westside, an aggressive plan for mixed-use redevelopment; Mt. Vernon, a historic residential neighborhood; and University Center, an aggressive plan for the expansion of academic, research and institutional space by the University of Maryland, Baltimore and University of Maryland Medical System.

The Westside Initiative is also located within four other designated areas: Market Center Urban Renewal Area; Market Center Historic District; Baltimore City Heritage Area; and the Maryland State Enterprise Zone (EZ).

In June 1999, the Mayor and City Council approved amendments to the Market Center Urban Renewal Plan giving BDC – acting for the City -- the authority to acquire and assemble certain properties for redevelopment. As a result, Centerpoint, an $80 million mixed-use project including nearly 400 market rate apartments and street level retail space was developed on a one square block site assembled by BDC. The five phase project was completed by Bank of America/Centerpoint LLC in 2006. BDC is currently negotiating with existing property and business owners to assemble properties in a four square block area. Phase One will result in an additional 400 market rate residential units, up to 200,000 square feet of retail space, 1,000 parking spaces with the potential for a hotel and office space. The $250 million project will be developed by Lexington Square Partners, LLC consisting of Lexington Square Developers, LLC comprising ICS Baltimore LLC (Chera); BLDG Baltimore LLC (Goldman); Feil-Baltimore LLC (Feil) and Nakash-Lexington LLC (Nakash); and HAD Baltimore II, LLC (Harold A. Dawson Co., Inc.). The internationally respected architectural firm of Cooper, Robertson & Partners will incorporate urban in-fill with historic structures to create an exciting architectural design.

This effort is led by the Westside Team. Please contact Kathy A. L. Robertson, Director, Westside Initiative.