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UniverCity Partnership Initiative West Side Report 2016

UniverCity Partnership Initiative West Side Report 2

Everyman Theatre (Credit: ClintonBPhotography) TABLE OF CONTENTS

Message From Mayor Rawlings-Blake...... 4

The Vision...... 7

Institutional Partners...... 8

Residential Projects...... 10

Arts, Culture & Entertainment...... 14

Lexington Market...... 18

Infrastructure & Public Spaces...... 20

What’s Next...... 21

List of UniverCity Partnership Stakeholders...... 23

Everyman Theatre (Credit: ClintonBPhotography) UniverCity Partnership Initiative West Side Report 4

Message From Mayor Rawlings-Blake

Upon taking office in 2010, one of my key priorities was re-energizing downtown’s west side redevelopment efforts, which had slowed in pace, jeopardizing millions of dollars of City investment and the west side’s future. As an initial step, I requested the Urban Land Institute (ULI), an independent global nonprofit focused on real estate development and land use, to conduct a thorough assessment and engage a diverse group of stakeholders for input and critical feedback. The ULI report led to the creation of a collective vision to reconnect downtown Baltimore’s west side to the central business district, the stadium district, the Mount Vernon Cultural District and historic West Baltimore by creating a mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhood with residents, business owners, workers and visitors.

To implement the vision, I formed a partnership with Dr. Jay Perman, President of the University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB), the west side’s major employer and anchor institution. Together, we launched and continue to co-chair the UniverCity Partnership Initiative, a group of 100 stakeholders, which meets on a regular basis to address issues and ensure progress. Since the UniverCity Partnership was created in 2010, more than $1 billion in capital investment has been generated in downtown’s west side. This investment includes $771 million dollars of UMB- related and University of Maryland Medical System projects, in addition to City and private investment.

The number of vacant City-owned properties in the west side was a major impediment to new investment. In 2011, there were 75 vacant, City-owned buildings and lots in the Baltimore Development Corporation’s (BDC) portfolio for downtown’s west side. To date, 69 of those properties in the BDC portfolio have been sold, awarded or are in the award process to private developers. To further encourage private investment, I introduced legislation to create a 15-year real property tax credit in 2013 to encourage market-rate apartment projects in downtown’s west side. At least two west side projects totaling 302 apartment units are a direct result of the apartment tax credit. Since 2011, 462 market-rate apartment units and 204 subsidized affordable rental units have been added or are being renovated in downtown’s west side.

The strong residential growth is in part a result of the remarkable strides we have made in creating a more welcoming and inviting west side. In 2012, a working group represented by my administration, UMB and the Baltimore Office of the Promotion of the Arts collaborated with the Maryland State Arts Council to create the City’s third Arts & Entertainment District (the “Bromo Arts District”). Since then, more than 60 events of original content have been organized to attract residents and visitors to the Bromo Arts District. In 2014, the Bromo Arts District was able to hire a full-time executive director with funding from the Downtown Partnership. 5

My administration also dedicated funds for facade improvement grants in the Bromo Arts District. The program is administered by the Downtown Partnership, and property owners and business owners are eligible for storefront improvement grants of up to $10,000. UniverCity Partnership stakeholders also completed new landscaping and streetscaping improvements along Howard and Eutaw Streets to welcome visitors to the renovated Everyman Theatre and the Bromo Seltzer Tower.

Lexington Market is one of our top priorities. UniverCity Partnership stakeholders and the public have expressed a strong desire to reposition the market as a destination for visitors at all price points, who are hungry for fresh ingredients, healthy meals, and diverse dining options. More than 7,000 people completed surveys in 2013 and 2014, in which they provided feedback on the types of foods, vendors and activities they wanted to see at the 234-year-old market.

Due to a partnership between the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), Lexington Market and the local Retail Business District, we now have full coverage of Citiwatch video surveillance in and around the market. The BPD, Maryland Transit police (MTA) and University of Maryland, Baltimore police regularly update their strategy to keep pace with changing crime trends in the area. The UniverCity Partnership is acting innovatively to ensure that the Lexington Market experience is positive for vendors, visitors and patrons alike. We want the market to continue to serve its loyal customers and to attract an enthusiastic following from the UMB community and new customers.

The UniverCity Partnership initiative has clear momentum and created a model for anchor institutions such as UMB to work closely with the City to change its campus and the surrounding community for everyone’s benefit. Of our many achievements, the greatest of them is the enthusiasm and high expectations that the public now has for the area. Stakeholders, investors and the public now share our belief that downtown’s west side can and will become a thriving, distinct neighborhood and arts & entertainment district.

Sincerely,

Mayor, City of Baltimore STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE MAYOR

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Purpose Statement for the UniverCity Partnership Initiative:

The west side should be a modern, mixed-use urban neighborhood with a balance of historic, commercial, cultural, educational and retail resources. It should build on and provide quality amenities to attract a core residential population, including the city’s workforce, downtown visitors and investors, as well as university and medical center faculty, staff, and students.

The west side’s streets should be safe, clean, vibrant and engaging; channeling city residents, employees, students and tourists to the retail, entertainment, educational and healthy food destinations along and near the Baltimore, Howard, Eutaw and Lexington Street corridors.

Credit: Downtown Partnership 7

THE VISION

Downtown Baltimore’s west side was once Their efforts led to the formation of the a vibrant retail and commercial district, UniverCity Partnership, which is co-chaired which has experienced decline over the by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Jay past four decades. To reverse this decline, Perman, M.D., president of the University of in 2010, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Maryland Baltimore (UMB). The UniverCity commissioned the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Partnership consists of approximately 100 to assess the obstacles to the revitalization stakeholders representing small business, of the west side; and based on that study, higher education, private real estate, work groups were formed to address those downtown corporations, behavioral health, specific challenges. The work groups and law enforcement, and government, who subcommittees focused on the following are committed to the revitalization of areas: downtown’s west side.

• Transportation and infrastructure Through their efforts, the vision of the west side as a diverse, urban neighborhood • Real estate and economic development with a variety of mixed-use development • Lexington Market improvements and a dynamic arts & entertainment scene is becoming a reality. Since 2010, the • Public safety UniverCity Partnership Initiative has helped generate more than $1 billion in capital • Arts, culture and entertainment investment in the area. • Health and human services

West side revitalization (Credit: DPOB)

Credit: Downtown Partnership UniverCity Partnership Initiative West Side Report 8

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS

The University of Maryland, Baltimore Pharmacy Schools. UMB estimates that this (UMB) is a key partner in efforts to revitalize $305 million project will generate $19.3 downtown’s west side and has invested million in tax revenue to state and local hundreds of millions in capital improvements government. In addition, UMB completed including a world-class BioPark. The 12- structural stabilization work on its 210 acre UMB BioPark will eventually have 1.8 North Pine Street property and completed million square feet of lab and office space in the General Research Building at 111 12 buildings, garage parking and landscaped Penn Street. The momentum of activity parks. continues with projects in the pipeline, such as the conversion of 121 N. Greene In 2010, two multi-tenant buildings totaling Street into the UMB Interprofessional 470,000 square feet, a 638-space parking Education Center and improvements to garage and the State of Maryland’s new Davidge Hall and the building on 603 W. Forensic Medical Center were completed. Lexington. Combined capital investment in In 2015, another BioPark building (850 W. these projects is more than $7.7 million. Baltimore Street), which consists of 195,000 square feet (SF) of office space and 3,000 SF of retail was completed. The Maryland Proton Treatment Center (MPTC), which offers proton therapy, a highly advanced and precise form of radiation for cancer patients is located at the 850 W. Baltimore building and represents $200 million in capital investment and created 175 full-time jobs. In addition, Wexford Science & Technology will begin construction of a $105 million, 250,000 SF, 8-story shared lab, office and tech co-working space at 873 W. Baltimore Street, which will result in 363 construction jobs and more than 900 permanent jobs.

Other investment by UMB includes the University of Maryland’s third Health Sciences Facility project (HSF III), which started construction in 2014. HSF III will be a 10-story, 429,000 square-foot building, which will house the Medicine, Dentistry and Maryland Proton Center (Credit: UMB) 9

University of Maryland Medical Center’s Shock Trauma Center (Credit: Stephen Spartana)

Investments made by other anchor institutions include the University of Maryland Medical Center’s expansion of its Shock More than $680 million Trauma Center. The center is an investment has been invested in of $160 million, of which Baltimore City the west side by anchor contributed a $500,000 facade improvement grant. Also, the University of Medical System institutions. will break ground for an Ambulatory Care Center at its Midtown campus on Linden Avenue in 2016.

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RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS

To date, there have been more than 1,200 residential units, which have come online either through new construction or the conversion of existing buildings. These projects represent well over $200 million in private investment. This inventory includes market-rate, mixed-income, and affordable housing, to ensure that the City is attracting diverse group of residents to Baltimore.

Market-Rate Housing

As part of efforts to grow the City and continue to attract new residents, Mayor Rawlings-Blake created the High Formerly Hochschild Kohn department store’s main warehouse, 520 Park is a 171-unit market rate Performance Market-Rate Rental Housing apartment building with ground floor retail. Tax Credit to spur either new construction or conversion existing properties into or conversions from a non-residential quality apartments. There are two High building. To date, at least 260 market-rate Performance Market-Rate Rental Housing units have been completed in the west side Tax Credits; a citywide 10-year tax credit with more than 500 under construction or and a 15-year credit for targeted areas. Both approved for construction. credits are for newly constructed buildings Earlier projects included converting 300 Cathedral Street into 59 residential units and properties at 1 N. Howard Street and 220 W. Baltimore Street into 16 apartments with 4,000 square feet of retail space. Another notable market-rate, mixed-use project is the conversion of the former Hochschild Kohn department store warehouse at 520 Park Avenue into a $32 million, 171-unit residential building with 18,000 square feet of retail space. This space is now the Mount Vernon Marketplace, which now has more than 10 different food vendors. The second phase of this project, 500 Park, is the new construction of apartments on the lot adjacent to 520 Park. This project will consist of 151 new apartments and ground floor retail, representing another $29 million in capital investment.

300 Cathedral is a 59-unit adaptive reuse apartment building, which was a former office building known as Odd Fellows Hall. 11

Rendering of 500 Park Avenue, which will be a 150-unit new construction apartments

Market-rate projects completed or in the pipeline:

Project # of Units

1 N. Howard Street/220 W. 16 Baltimore Street

329 N. Eutaw Street 5

300 Cathedral Street 59 505 Park Avenue 9

520 Park Avenue 171

311 W. Baltimore Street 18

106-110 N. Eutaw Street 8

501 W. Franklin Street 138

101-103 W. Lexington & 124 10 Interior of Mount Vernon Marketplace, Baltimore’s newest foodie Liberty destination, located at 520 Park (Credit: Mount Vernon Marketplace) 402 N. Howard Street 4 119 Park Avenue 20 500 Park Avenue 150 400 N. Howard Street 12

410-422 W. Mulberry Street 63

416 N. Howard Street 5

426 W. Franklin Street 4

Total 692

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Affordable Housing

To create a robust mixed-income neighborhood, it is important to have a variety of housing options. In addition to market-rate housing, the availability of high-quality affordable housing is an important factor in realizing the UniverCity Partnership’s vision.

M on Madison, located at 301 W. Madison, is a 74-unit, new construction affordable housing, which offers modern amenities and conveniently located in the Mount Vernon area. Also under construction are two more affordable housing projects. First is a $22.5 million, 68-unit apartment complex at 211 West Mulberry Street, dubbed Mulberry at Park, which is projected for completion by summer 2016. Another is a 62-unit building at 306 Mulberry Street. In the pipeline is Liberty Park, which is a mixed-use project with ground floor retail consisting of 90 units of mixed income apartments, including 36 subsidized housing.

L on Liberty, a 71-unit affordable housing project, will break ground in 2017. Since the Mayor’s initiative began, 280 units of quality affordable rental units have been constructed or

Mulberry at Park are in the pipeline. 13

M on Madison (Credit: Hamel Builders)

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) programs, such as the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and Partnership Rental Housing Program, have spurred development of quality affordable housing. From 2011 to 2015, DHCD has awarded more than $31 million in LIHTC equity bond funds and grants, which have resulted in nearly $40 million private funding.

Mayor Rawlings-Blake at Mulberry at Park Groundbreaking (Credit: Mark Dennis)

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ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT & CULTURE

Downtown’s west side is rich with history, arts and culture. Crucial to the revitalization of the west side is the continuing support of the city’s cultural resources, increasing the number of retail options to draw in residents and visitors, and creating a thriving and diverse cultural corridor. The area has a significant collection of existing arts assets, including the Arena Players, Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, Everyman Theatre and France Merrick Performing Arts Center (Hippodrome Theater). The west side also has a number of local independent arts venues, such as Current Gallery, EMP Collective, H&H Building and Sub-basement Studios.

To best capitalize and support these existing assets, the City and Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts obtained the designation of an Arts & Entertainment District for the areas surrounding the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower. The Bromo Tower Arts & Entertainment District (Bromo Arts District) stretches north to include the historic Lexington Market and Antique Row, encompassing a 117-acre section of downtown’s west side. A&E Districts are eligible for three state tax-related incentives, and are eligible to apply for an Arts & Entertainment District Technical Assistance grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.

Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower 15

The Bromo Arts District continues to build upon the significant collection of existing cultural assets, including large visual and performing arts venues and local artist-run spaces to help create a robust, diverse neighborhood with great arts and entertainment options. The District is managed by Bromo Tower Arts Entertainment, Inc. in collaboration with the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and the Market Center Merchants Association. The Bromo Arts District’s mission is to unite, support and advance artists and cultural organizations to create a thriving and diverse cultural and entertainment corridor in downtown Baltimore.

Since its designation, the Bromo Arts District Renovated Everyman Theatre has organized and promoted over 60 original content and special events. Building upon the success and momentum of these special events, now other independent arts venues organize and promote hundreds of arts- related projects and events each year. In 2013, the Everyman Theatre opened, a 250- seat performance venue that was a $17.5 million adaptive reuse project in which the City invested $1.6 million.

A mural, which was part of a series of eight, on buildings along Howard Street

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Within the Bromo District area, there have been more than 500 new residential units that have either come online or are under New Retail construction. The Bromo Arts District is also well-served by several modes of The Bun Shop transportation including the light rail, MARC Ceremony Coffee Roasters train, Metro system, MTA local bus lines Chef Von’s Café and the Charm City Circulator. Accessibility by public transportation makes the Bromo Deck at Camden Yards District an attractive retail location. Since its Forno Restaurant & Wine Bar designation, various new retail stores have French Kitchen opened. The Bromo Arts District, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and the Baltimore GoJo Development Corporation continue to Island Vybz Café 2 provide financial, technical and business Kana market & Cafe assistance to increase the number of quality retail establishments. Private and public Kathy’s Deli investment has led to continuing economic Local Oyster activity not only in the Bromo Arts District, Lucy Sport Café but throughout the entire west side. Maiwand Grill Mexican Delight Mina’s Delights Nando’s Peri-Peri Off Madison Panera Bread Paul’s BBQ Phaze 10 Pita Pit Puerto 511 Restaurant

Bromo Arts District lighting project Royal Razor Spardata Stephen Wise Baltimore Streets Market & Café Super Deli The Yard Trinacria Cafe

Mural project 17

Lord Baltimore Hotel

As Baltimore and the west side continue to attract more visitors and residents, the area has also seen new investment in the hotel market. In 2014, the iconic Lord Baltimore Hotel was completed, a $20-million renovation, restoring it to its former glory. In 2015, this 440-room hotel opened a rooftop restaurant where visitors can enjoy the city skyline. InterContinental Hotels Group opened the boutique Hotel Indigo at 24 W. Franklin Street, its first in Baltimore. This $20-million renovation of a former YMCA is now a 170-room hotel in the historic Mount Vernon area. In addition, the 42-room La Quinta Hotel is currently under construction. An influx of new retail, hotel, residential and independent arts and cultural venues have helped re-energize the west side and increased foot traffic and visitors.

Hotel Indigo Exterior

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LEXINGTON MARKET

Founded in 1782, Lexington Market is the • Improved licensed, street merchant oldest market in the United States. A primary displays, in partnership with Maryland goal of the UniverCity Partnership is to Institute College of Art (MICA). reposition Lexington Market into a world- With assistance from the Baltimore Food class destination, which provides fresh Policy Initiative, the Market implemented ingredients, health meals and diverse dining programs to educate vendors about options at all price points. To assist with this healthier and varied food options. To effort, the UniverCity Partnership completed increase traffic to the Market, it began to an analysis of Lexington Market based on stay open later to accommodate special responses to a survey of approximately 1,800 events. The Greater Baltimore Tech Council people. Based on their recommendations, hosted its annual TechNight at Lexington Lexington Market implemented the Market, attracting 500 attendees. The following: Market also hosted three Baltimore Bike • Provided free Wi-Fi access in the Parties, having a combined turnout of more Market than 5,000 attendees.

• Launched a new website and other To continue its progress, the Market and social media platforms to promote UniverCity Partnership conducted a second unique food vendors and solicit survey of 7,000, which helped shape the feedback master plan. The master plan addresses other needed improvements such as the • Installed Citiwatch cameras inside the redevelopment of the Market’s facilities and market and along the Eutaw Street strategies for leasing and operations. As a corridor of the market follow-up to the master plan, Lexington

A master plan calls for redevelopment of Lexington Market (Credit: Lexington Market) 19

Lexington Market (Credit: K. Kendall) Mayor Rawlings-Blake with San Francisco Mayor Lee at Lexington Market

Market issued two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) – one for an architect to take the concept outlined in the master plan to final design, and the second for a contractor to determine if the design is feasible and to provide a cost estimate. It is anticipated that the market’s new design will be presented to Urban Design and Architectural Review Panel in late 2016.

Lexington Market is on the cusp of realizing its full potential with the continuing efforts to offer and attract quality vendors, who provide a wide array of dining and retail options coupled with the proposed redevelopment efforts underway. The increased residential development in the west side also provides a solid customer base, with which the Market can build upon through promotions and special events. Lexington Market’s Board, finance committee and development director are aggressively pursuing state, local, foundation and private sources to complete the capital campaign for redevelopment of its facility. Baltimore Bike Party at Lexington Market Parking Lot

A master plan calls for redevelopment of Lexington Market (Credit: Lexington Market)

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INFRASTRUCTURE & PUBLIC SPACES

Downtown’s west side has also seen improvements in infrastructure and public spaces, such as streetscaping, landscaping and even a new dog park. In 2011, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation completed $1.2 million in streetscape improvements on Lexington Street between Liberty and Eutaw Streets. The City, in coordination with the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA), also invested $2.5 million to improve Howard Street, including the removal of catenaries, the addition of new transit platforms and bus shelters, and enhanced landscaping. The City also made pedestrian-safety and intersection improvements and installed Howard Dog Park site improvements (Credit: Baltimore Recreation & Parks) artistic crosswalks along Eutaw Street.

Other open space programming includes the Baltimore Bike Parties, which gather at Saint Mary’s Park in Seton Hill. The Baltimore Bike Party attracts more than 1,000 cyclists each month. Additionally, a new dog park at Howard and Centre Streets has opened. The UniverCity Partnership has also developed a vision plan to create new public spaces to better connect to premier assets in the Bromo Arts District and the west side.

Artistic crosswalk at Lombard & Eutaw 21

WHAT’S NEXT

Thanks to the UniverCity Partnership Additionally, the City will solicit proposals Initiative and other efforts in the past several for two other key properties, 300 W. years, downtown Baltimore’s west side has Franklin Street and 506 North Howard benefited from a great deal of economic Street, the former Mayfair Theater, both activity and redevelopment. Along with of which hold the potential for attractive new and renovated buildings, increased redevelopment. investments have fueled enhanced arts The recent progress and the prospects of programming, attracting new residents and continued progress provide great hope for visitors and a renewed interest in the area. the future of the west side of downtown A major boost was the recent move by Baltimore. Working in partnership, we will Pandora, the international jewelry company, see a stronger west side with new housing, establishing its American headquarters at 250 expanded business activity, more vibrant W. Pratt Street and bringing approximately commercial districts, and a deeper sense of 250 employees to work downtown. community. The development of the many multi-family housing projects, institutional expansions, and historic property conversions has created a significant number of jobs. Based on data provided by some project owners, at least 3,725 construction jobs and 545 full- time jobs have been created in the area since 2011. The range of new developments has provided permanent jobs in medicine, retail, property management and maintenance, as well as in the hospitality, arts and entertainment sectors.

This momentum continues as the City, through the BDC, seek proposals for the reuse of various properties in the west side, including 20 city-owned properties on Howard Street and 27 properties on Lexington and Howard Streets. The redevelopment goals are to foster job creation and generate tax revenue through market-driven, mixed-use projects that fit within the context of the surrounding area. Pandora building at 250 W. Pratt Street

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UniverCity Partnership Initiative area 23

THE UNIVERCITY PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE’S PARTNERS

City Agencies • Maryland Department of • Central Maryland Housing & Community Transportation Alliance • Baltimore City Department Development • The Cordish Companies of General Services • Maryland Department of • Downtown Partnership of • Baltimore City Department Planning Baltimore of Planning • Maryland Historical Trust • Dubey’s Art & Antiques, Inc. • Baltimore City Department • Maryland Transit • The Everyman Theatre of Public Works Administration • Faidley’s Seafood • Baltimore City Department • MTA Police • Feats, Inc. of Transportation • Office of the State’s Attorney • Fluid Movement • Baltimore City Dept. of for Baltimore City • France-Merrick Performing Recreation & Parks Arts Center • Baltimore City Health Anchor Institutions and • The French Companies Department Universities • Glass Health Programs • Baltimore City Law • JHU School of Public Health • Greater Baltimore Committee Department • Maryland Institute College of • The Harry & Jeanette • Baltimore City Parking Art (MICA) Weinberg Foundation, Inc. Authority • University of Maryland • Hillman Communications • Baltimore City Police Baltimore • Jones Lang LaSalle Department • University of Maryland • Kann Partners • Baltimore Development Baltimore BioPark • Land Collective Corporation • University of Maryland • Lexington Market, Inc. • Baltimore Housing Baltimore Police • Midtown Belvedere BID Authority • University of Maryland • Mount Vernon Belvedere • Baltimore Office of Medical Center Association Promotion & the Arts • University of Maryland • Preservation Maryland • CHAP: Baltimore City Medical System • Retail Business District Commission for Historical merchants association and Architectural Foundations, Nonprofits • The Recovery Network Preservation and Other Organizations • Royal Farms Arena • Councilman Eric Costello, • Articulate Baltimore • Saint James Place Apartments 11th District • Ayers Saint Gross • Seton Hill Neighborhood • Mayor’s Office • Baltimore Bike Party Association • Mayor’s Office of Criminal • Baltimore Harbor Hotel • Southern Management Justice • Baltimore Heritage Corporation • Baltimore Marriott Inner • The Time Group MD State Agencies Harbor • VA Maryland Health Care • Maryland Department • Behavioral Health Systems System of Public Safety & Baltimore • Westside Renaissance, Inc. Correctional Services • Bromo Tower Arts & • Williams Jackson Ewing • Maryland Department of Entertainment District • Ziger/Snead Commerce • Catholic Relief Services

UniverCity Partnership Initiative West Side Report