BDC Seeks Proposals for Washington Boulevard Properties

Baltimore, MD (August 24, 2010) – In an effort to stimulate a new mixed-use development in the Pigtown/Washington Village Urban Renewal Area, the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC), on behalf of the City of Baltimore, has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of five Washington Boulevard properties.

BDC is seeking proposals from qualified developers for a high-quality, mixed-use development that enhances and anchors the Pigtown/Washington Village Business District; achieves a positive impact for the City that includes: quality jobs, increased tax revenues, community stabilization, opportunities for MBE (Minority Business Enterprises) and WBE (Woman Business Enterprises), and contributes to the City’s long-term economic growth objectives.

The five properties include:

925 Washington Boulevard – a former two-story tavern of approximately 1,656 square feet.

927 Washington Boulevard – an approximately 1,438 square foot, two-story residential structure.

929, 931 and 937 Washington Boulevard - vacant commercial/residential properties - this site is comprised of three adjoining lots totaling an estimated 4,525 square feet that contains a three-level building shell.

In offering these properties, BDC desires to preserve the historic fabric of the community, and seeks respondents that will rehabilitate the existing structures to the largest extent possible – proposing creative ways to open up the buildings to make larger commercial spaces on the first floors, as well as residential or live/work units in the upper stories. 

Community recommendations for the properties include: restaurant/sit-down cafe, coffee shop, small scale grocery store, bookstore, bakery, family video store, pharmacy, upscale convenience store, florist, ice cream shop, hardware store, art-related store, camera shop, lodging facilities, yoga studio and art galleries.

Designated a Baltimore Main Street in 2000, Pigtown is located at the base of I-395 and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, with easy access to Interstate 295 and 95 within ½ mile of the commercial district along Washington Boulevard.  The commercial district is just blocks from the Inner Harbor, University of Maryland, Baltimore, the UMB (University of Maryland, Baltimore) BioPark, Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium. The Main Streets program is spurring revitalization in the commercial corridor.

The approximately 165-acre Washington Village Urban Renewal Area, southwest of downtown Baltimore, is bounded by Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard on the east; Russell Street/Paca Street and the Carroll Camden Industrial Park on the south; Bush Street/Carroll Park on the west, and the southern edge of Mount Clare Junction/B&O Railroad Museum complex on the north. 

To obtain further information regarding this offering, contact Donna Langley, Director, Baltimore Main Streets program at 410-837-9305, or dlangley@baltimoredevelopment.com.

The RFP can be downloaded from BDC’s website at www.baltimoredevelopment.com.

Deadline for submission of proposals, accompanied by a $300.00 non-refundable check, is 12 noon on Tuesday, November 16, 2010.

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