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News Article
State Center redevelopment nears approval
(7/27/2010) As the first phase of the $1.5 billion State Center redevelopment heads to the Board of Public Works for approval Wednesday, Gov. Martin O’Malley unveiled preliminary plans Tuesday for a 15-year project that promises new retail, office space and residences.
O’Malley emphasized the importance of the development as a hub to bring the nine surrounding neighborhoods together, and owed the project’s fruition to an “unprecedented level of community involvement.”
“What is a concrete wasteland does very little to connect the neighborhoods,” O’Malley said of the 28 acres that will be redeveloped.
The first phase will cost $215 million for the construction of two new office buildings and a parking garage. Chris Patusky, director of the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Office of Real Estate, said the state will be contributing $28 million for the garage, but private funding will cover the rest of the cost.
Pending Board of Public Works approval, Patusky said they plan to break ground on the garage and one office building in November for occupation in June 2014, while the other building’s construction will begin by the second quarter of next year to be occupied by the fall of 2013.
Patusky said as construction begins, planners will be figuring out the details of Phase Two, which should include new apartments and condos and another office building. O’Malley also said the site will include a new grocery store — an announcement that was met with raucous applause.
“Because we all need to eat,” O’Malley said.
The entire project looks to transform the 28-acre stretch of surface parking lots and government office buildings into a “green” neighborhood, with 5.5 million square feet of retail, residential areas, state and private office space, and parking. The project will be paid for largely by private organizations in partnership with the state — a relationship O’Malley lauded.
Officials also hailed the project as a manifestation of “transit-oriented development,” at a location within walking distance from Metro, light rail, bus and MARC train stations.
O’Malley said the first phase will create 2,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs, while the overall project will support 9,500 construction jobs and 5,400 permanent jobs when complete. He also said Phase 1 will generate more than $200 million in state and local taxes over the next 20 years.
Also in attendance were City Councilman Bill Cole, who represents the district where State Center is located; Sen. Catherine Pugh, D-Baltimore City; and Sen. Ed DeGrange, D-Anne Arundel.
By Anna Isaacs
Daily Record Business Writer
Copyright © 2010, Maryland Daily Record.
Link to the article: State Center redevelopment nears approval
Source: The Daily Record