the current arena Plans for a new Baltimore arena aren't even finalized yet but, to its credit, the Urban Design Committee of Baltimore's American Institute of Architects (AIA) chapter wants to start planning what could go on the current arena site - provided that location isn't used for a new arena.
We've always felt the site (along with the Superblock just to the north) is critical to linking City Center and the Westside. It's a lot of space, it's right next to a light rail stop, and it's convenient to pretty much everything, including the University of Maryland, the Pratt Street corridor, hotels, parks, MARC trains, Camden Yards, the Hippodrome, and Lexington Market.
And there are already thousands of residents living there. In fact, nearby apartment buildings are almost 100% rented. But you'd never guess it because there aren't many people out on the street in the evenings or on weekends. Maybe that's because there's not much to draw people out. The Howard Street side of the arena is one huge blank wall.
The AIA committee would like to see that change and, today, informally presented some trial balloon ideas to replace the current structure with mixed use developments that engage the surrounding neighborhood and encourage year-round pedestrian activity.
The Partnership is one of the groups pushing for a new arena and our president, Kirby Fowler, sits on the city panel that will ultimately decide where a new arena will be located. Once that's settled, the city will begin to entertain options about how to use the current space. But it's never too soon to start thinking big.
-mike
