Mayor Rawlings-Blake and BDC Announce Status of New Baltimore Arena Project

Baltimore, MD (November 11, 2010) - Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) President M.J. ‘Jay” Brodie announced the status of the New Baltimore Arena. 

“Baltimore City is currently evaluating all aspects of the new arena project including potential locations,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake.  “The 1^st Mariner Arena is an economically successful facility that demonstrates the strength of Baltimore’s market and that a new arena, with private sector support, would be a successful world-class facility.

However, given the current economy and its impact on the State and City budgets, it is important and prudent to explore many alternatives, including the location and potential financing options.”

Jay Brodie said, “Over the past several years, more prominent acts such as Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, and the Rolling Stones have been including Baltimore’s arena in their world tours.  The development of a new arena would extend this recent momentum to serve the population of Baltimore City and the entire state with a strong mixture of concerts, family acts, and sports exhibitions.  We will regroup to explore potential sites where the new arena could be located and to reevaluate the project’s scope.”

BDC, on behalf of the City of Baltimore, issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) in 2008 and received four development proposals in November 2008 for the New Baltimore Arena, planned to be an 18,500-seat facility to be developed on the current arena site.

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