Four development firms presenting some of the biggest names in the live-entertainment world present plans for a new Baltimore arena.
Four development firms presenting some of the biggest names in the live-entertainment world present plans for a new Baltimore arena.
The proposal come after the city decided to replace aging but profitable 1st Mariner with a new 18,500-seat arena that could potentially support professional sports.
The four proposals (in alphabetical order):
- The Arena Development Group proposes the arena, a parking ramp and 100,000 square feet of retail. SMG, which currently manages 1st Mariner Arena, is part of this bid as the arena manager; the plan includes A&R Development, J Street Development and Accent Development Co. as developers.
- Cormony Development’s plan includes the arena, a 400-room hotel, 240,000 square feet of offices, 20,000 square feet of retail and a parking ramp. It’s led by Cormony Development, which is building the entertainment district south of M&T Bank Stadium; AEG or SMG would run the arena.
- ESmith Legacy Inc. and Garfield Traub Development propose the aream, a seven-screen movie theater, a smaller 1,000-seat concert venue, 20,000 square feet of retail and a parking ramp. Under the plan, AEG would manage the facility.
- Struever Bros. Eccles & Rouse proposes a slightly less dense project, with the arena, a 300-room hotel, street-level retail and two public parks, including one on top of the arena.
The initial bids are really wish lists: city officials have not settled on a budget or a funding mechanism — a small detail that will be addressed next month. The decision on the final arena plan isn’t expected until mid-2009.
