The Future of Baltimore's Harborplace

What should come next for Baltimore's Harborplace, the waterfront park and plaza that was wildly successful after it opened in 1980, but whose two retail pavilions now stand largely vacant? The latest revival plan - which includes removing height restrictions, razing the pavilions and letting a developer replace them with two tall harborside apartment towers - has sparked intense debate. Will the 900 new luxury residential units at the water's edge revive the city's "crown jewel"? Or privatize and deaden a cherished public space? And what to make of the process whereby P. David Bramble was chosen - "secretly," Mayor Brandon Scott declared in public remarks - to be the developer for the project?

City Council advances bills to pave the way for towers at Harborplace

With no debate and no remarks to explain their votes, lawmakers move Baltimore’s historic waterfront one step closer to an apartment-centric future.

It’s time for a pause and reflection, says former BDC head M.J. “Jay” Brodie

Harborplace deserves better than apartment towers that look more like downtown Houston than waterfront Baltimore, says Brodie, a key figure in its creation 44 years ago. [OP-ED]

Critics denounce Harborplace bills as a “blank check” giveaway to the developer

After opponents at a packed hearing plead “don’t sell our soul,” a City Council committee advances legislation to remove height restrictions at Baltimore’s iconic tourist waterfront.

Upon taking office, Mayor Scott secretly worked to ensure one developer got rights to Harborplace

Scott’s words and actions raise serious questions about the fairness and propriety of the process used to push private development on Baltimore’s public waterfront. [OP-ED]

Opponents of the Harborplace plan hope to get an alternative charter amendment on the ballot

Vowing “a campaign of public persuasion,” the Inner Harbor Coalition promises to put the proposed apartment towers and other large-scale development at the water’s edge on the November 2024 ballot.

As expected, Planning Commission signs off on Harborplace bills

Amid cheers by some and pleas to slow down by others, legislation is approved that paves the way for David Bramble’s residential rebuild of Baltimore’s Harborplace.

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Technical difficulties delay Harborplace vote, but don’t stop at-times bitter testimony

Baltimore’s Planing Commission takes up the David Bramble’s plan for a massive apartment and retail complex at the city’s waterfront, with several complaining the project is moving too fast.

Championing a stadium deal and the Harborplace plan: Two rookie mistakes by Wes Moore

The governor’s showy salesmanship on behalf of two hot-button development issues in Baltimore is jarring. [OP-ED]

The outsized role of developers in Baltimore is reflected in the new Harborplace plan

What should be part of a long-range plan for a crucial piece of publicly owned land is handed over to a developer who plainly states his priority is to make a profit. [OP-ED]

Behind the “bold vision” of Harborplace, a shift from people’s park to private development

David Bramble’s plans for a massive apartment and retail complex at Baltimore’s Pratt and Light streets would alter longstanding priorities for public open space there. A SPECIAL Brew report.

Harborplace now: Empty shops, locked doors and a fabulous view

As city leaders give a developer three years to craft a turnaround plan, we take a look around Baltimore’s once celebrated, now nearly vacant waterfront pavilions.

Rent abatement and a three-year grace period handed to Harborplace’s new owner

“Pop-up” stores and minimal investment will be the near-term fate of the struggling shopping center under a revised agreement.