Architects release new Baltimore West Side plan

Murphy & Dittenhafer Architectshave released their vision for the rehabilitation and redevelopment of 20 properties on a 2.5 acre parcel of land that was to be developed as part of the proposed Superblock plan in downtown Baltimores West Side.

An aerial rendering shows the proposed corner of Franklin and Park streets in Baltimores West Side. (Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects illustration)

The concept redevelopment calls for the preservation of 15 historic structures and facades on Park Avenue, Howard and Franklin streets, according to a news release. Baltimore Development Corp. hired the architecture firm last year to re-imagine development on the site that has long retarded efforts to try and breathe new life into that portion of the city.

The Murphy & Dittenhafer plan proposes a vibrant mixed-use redevelopment for the entire block that is residentially based, accommodating over 200 new residential units at upper floor levels, over 20 new retail/office/commercial locations at street level, a major new commercial designation within the tall volume lower-level substation spaces, and possibilities for multilevel structured parking at two locations internal to the block and not visible from perimeter streets, with landscaped green roof courtyards above. New mid-block pedestrian connections from Howard Street and Park Avenue are proposed as part of the transformation of this one-block section of Tyson Street from a narrow, nondescript paved roadway to a pedestrian-friendly space celebrating the alley-like culture of the block and the adaptive reuse of the dynamic substation structure.

This is how the block looks before the proposed rehabilitation. (Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects submitted photo)

The architecture firm said it expects the Baltimore Development Corp. to release a Request for Proposals from possible developers during the first half of this year.

Last June, a Baltimore City Circuit Court judge threw out a lawsuit by the projects former developer, Lexington Square Partners LLC, seeking to block the city from rebidding the project. The city entered into an agreement with Lexington Square Partners for $150 million in 2007 to redevelop the block, but the agreement had to be extended several times because the developer was unable to secure financing.

Eventually the city ended the agreement and the developer sued alleging the city breached contract and sought $57 million in damages.

An aerial rendering shows the proposed corner of Howard and Mulberry streets. (Murphy & Dittenhafer Architects illustration)

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Architects release new Baltimore West Side plan