BDC Receives Board of Estimates Approval for Pennsylvania Avenue and Pigtown Projects

 

Baltimore, MD (August 31, 2011) – Today, the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) obtained Board of Estimates approval for two Land Disposition Agreements (LDA) that will bring a new development project each to the Main Street communities of Pennsylvania Avenue and Pigtown. Both projects are the result of a BDC-conducted Request for Proposals (RFP) process on behalf of the City of Baltimore.

"I want to thank the Pennsylvania Avenue and Pigtown communities for working with BDC to rejuvenate these growing and vibrant neighborhoods," said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "These two redevelopment projects are going to eliminate blight, create jobs, and spur economic activity for the people of Baltimore."

 

In the Pennsylvania Avenue commercial district, Sphinx Club Complex, LLC (Druid Heights Community Development Corporation (CDC)) is acquiring from the City of Baltimore through BDC (at a cost of $13,000), five contiguous properties located at 2101, 2103, 2105, 2107 and 2111 Pennsylvania Avenue (site of the former Sphinx Club complex) for the development of a new mixed-use project.

Details are as follows:

 

The mixed-use project includes a full-service restaurant – the Negro League Cafe; a Negro League Museum – B.A.L. L. (Black Athletes and Lost Legends) House; and a business incubator to facilitate new business growth in the community.

 

The B.A.L.L. Association will work in partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri and with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum of Maryland.

The project, which is estimated at $4.1 million, will generate new real estate, payroll

and utility tax revenues for the City of approximately $2.6 million over 20 years; while creating 37 full-time permanent jobs.

 

The Pennsylvania Avenue properties, vacant for more than 15 years, are in a state of decay. Located in the center of the Main Street district, a multi-million dollar project will showcase the possibilities for future development. Additionally, the dual showpiece of a sit-down restaurant (the only one in the commercial corridor) and the Negro League Museum will complement the already established Pennsylvania Avenue Heritage Trail. Further, these assets will aid the community in capitalizing on the growing Heritage Tourism Industry.

 

In Pigtown, the City of Baltimore through BDC, is selling Historic Pigtown Development II, LLC (Neil Katz and Jeffrey Gould) five contiguous properties located at 925, 927, 929, 931 and 937 Washington Boulevard in the Pigtown/Washington Boulevard commercial district.

Historic Pigtown Development plans to develop 925 and 927 Washington Boulevard into residential units and demolish 929-937 Washington Boulevard, providing open space (a paved lot for community activities) until tenants and financing are secured to develop a mixed-use retail/residential development. Phase I project costs have been approximated at over $500,000.

 

The Washington Boulevard properties, vacant and blighted for more than 25 years, are a case of a community requesting eminent domain by the City to spur economic development in its commercial area. The Historic Pigtown project will generate new tax revenues for the City estimated at more than $41,000 over 20 years in the form of real estate, payroll and utility taxes, and create eight full-time construction jobs.

“We are delighted that these projects, which are important to each Main Street community and to the entire city, are moving forward,” said BDC President M.J. “Jay” Brodie. “They will add to pedestrian-friendly environments, act as catalysts to spur future development projects, and enhance the physical appearance of their neighborhoods.”

 

Pennsylvania Avenue and Pigtown were both designated Baltimore Main Street (BMS) communities in 2000. Baltimore has the second largest urban Main Streets program in the United States with 10 fully-designated communities: Belair-Edison, Brooklyn, East Monument Street, Federal Hill, Fells Point, Hamilton-Lauraville, Highlandtown, Pennsylvania Avenue, Pigtown and Waverly. BDC directs the BMS program on behalf of the City of Baltimore.

 

Baltimore Main Streets’ data from 2000 to 2010 shows 457 net new businesses opened, resulting in 1,184 new full-time and 722 part-time jobs in the City. During 2010 alone, the BMS program was responsible for the opening of 43 net new businesses, resulting in 60 full-time and 59 part-time jobs. The program also oversaw the completion of 39 new façade renovations, helping to stimulate more than $680,000 in private investment.