The city really needs to replace the 1st Mariner Arena (Baltimore: apartments, leasing)

[PurpleHaze1100]

I know there has been many talks about replacing the arena and rebuilding it on its current site, or even extending the Convention Center to build an Arena Hotel. It seems none of the Developers are following through with these plans. The Arena is in NEED of replacement. Baltimore is continuously loosing Major concert Events, and sports events to Verizon Center or Philly's Wells Fargo Center. As big as the city is it needs a competitive Arena.

What are your thoughts on the Baltimore Arena?

[choccity]

This city does need a larger seating arena. Private funds and public funds to build something this large is needed. I just read where the Mechanics Theater is being demolished to make room for mixed use space.

[Joke Insurance]

If they ever want to attract either an NBA or NHL team, they'll need a bigger arena.

[james777]

Originally Posted by choccity

This city does need a larger seating arena. Private funds and public funds to build something this large is needed. I just read where the Mechanics Theater is being demolished to make room for mixed use space.

Yes, the Mechanic Theater is being torn down to be replaced with a 30 story apartment building by a well connected Baltimore developer. If I was King, and was in charge of planning for the area, it is certainly would not what I would have done. I think the Mechanic should have somehow been saved. It has been critically acclaimed worldwide for its unique modern architecture since it was built in the 1960s, even though many have deemed it ugly. It also provides the perfect antidote to the bunch of tall buildings in that block, which is why the planners of Charles Center put it there. Since they spent over $50 million tax dollars on the Hippodrome renovation, I think they should have found a way, possibly through a small theatre group, or maybe form a nonprofit who holds concerts there, just to keep it in use and bring life into the area. Baltimore does not have near the concerts, plays, and lecture series events that DC and Philly have, although things have been getting better here. The Mechanic could be the perfect place to bring them.

It seems they decided to save that super block by bringing residential into the area so that there is 24 hour life in that particular block. That is a logical idea, though not the most creative. I hope it works. There are three 30 story apartment towers in the next super block north and they could not even keep a supermarket open there. I would have preferred them to tear down the large block of abandoned stores at Lexington and Liberty and build several large apartment towers. That would put more residential into the general area, while filling in the area between the apartment buildings on Howard Street and Charles Center, and keeping the Mechanic Theater intact. Of course that would have required the developer to take on more risk, as that area is a little (or a lot) more sketchy than Charles Center, and leasing the apartments would not have been as easy. Leasing these apartments should be a piece of cake. If it isn't, downtown Baltimore is in a lot more trouble than we think.

[picardlx]

I vaguely remember a story in the Sun a few years ago where a manager at the 39 W Lexington was reportedly having difficulty keeping that building full. If that is still the case, then I'm not sure how additional supply of high rise apartments around Lexington would perform. My information could be outdated and the Southern Management properties at Charles Center may all be doing very well today. IDK.

[choccity]

There is no credible shopping downtown, no supermarket(s), not even enough ATMs. etc. If there is no retail support for the new apartments then there will be lots of empties. I hope something works. Also I don't understand why there is no plan to renovate Howard Street. From what I've read that street has been dead since the riots in 1968?

[SWBFAN]

How bad is 1st Mariner? I am thinking of going to the CAA tournament in March. I wonder if the development with the casino, will help push for the new arena to get done.

[carthell]

Originally Posted by SWBFAN

How bad is 1st Mariner? I am thinking of going to the CAA tournament in March. I wonder if the development with the casino, will help push for the new arena to get done.

The Horseshoe Casino is too far south and isolated to benefit anything north of it.

Howard St. itself, excepting a chunk around Mulberry and Franklin, and a few properties where development was blocked by the stubborness of the late Harry Weinberg, has been occupied by retail in waves since the riots.

[SWBFAN]

They should get Under Armor to pony up some cash...Under Armor Arena...


I thought some plans called for an arena by the stadium complex?