Inner Harbor 2.1 Land Use

Inner Harbor Retail/Commercial Opportunities

    With the demise of the former downtown retail district at Howard and Lexington, Pratt Street at the Inner Harbor has become the major downtown retail/commercial center for Baltimore.  There is approximately 500,000 square feet of retail/restaurant space along Pratt Street from Light Street to Market Place including the Gallery, Harbor Place, Pier Four Power Plant and Lockwood Place.  Major retailers include:  Barnes and Noble, Brooks Brothers, Marshalls, Joseph Banks, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Coach, H&M, Urban Outfitters, etc.  Many perceive this retail center as being oriented to tourists, yet there is a growing population downtown that is in need of quality shopping.  Retailing at the Inner Harbor must focus on local residents as well as tourists. 

     The Inner Harbor 2.1 plan recommends revitalizing retailing at the Inner Harbor.  The Harbor Place Pavilions should emphasize local merchants, not just national chains.  The interior grand space of the Light Street pavilion has been broken up by blank walls of the Ripley’s Odditorium and some large retailers.  A suburban shopping mall atmosphere has replaced the original “festival marketplace” concept with many small retailers and eateries at kiosks.  The Light Street pavilion should be returned to its original design and use.  The Pratt Street pavilion should be reoriented to the outside with stores and restaurants being accessed from the promenade and along Pratt Street.  Interior stairs and corridors leading from Pratt Street to the promenade can be retained, but the east-west interior corridors should be eliminated.  Storefronts not blank walls should face the exterior.  The original historic maritime flags should be flown from the roof of both pavilions.  Additional pavilion type space can be built at McKeldin Square and along Pratt Street from the World Trade Center to the Columbus Center, some on infill at either side of the Pier Four Power Plant.  These retail spaces do not necessarily have to follow the Harbor Place design.  A large crab like structure could be built west of Phillips Seafood replacing and expanding the current “crab deck.”  An aquarium store designed consistent with the rest of the Aquarium complex could operate in a new retail space just east of the World Trade Center.

     The Gallery “mall” across from Harbor Place needs better management and a higher quality mix of stores (No Dollar Stores please!).  Next to the Gallery (on the old News American site) a major retailer, such as Target, could take up the first two levels, of a new development at that site with office and possibly parking above.  The Barnes and Noble space in the Power Plant should be converted into the “Baltimore Emporium” an open retail market place that emphasizes local products, crafts people,  sustainable food suppliers, etc.  Barnes and Noble can be relocated into the vacant former Best Buy space on the third level of Lockwood Place.  The “Baltimore Emporium” would function as part of the promenade.  Pedestrian traffic will be able to walk through the space and out to a new east side entrance/exit to additional infill retailing between Pier 4 & 5.  Parking would be removed from the east side of the Power Plant and loading consolidated in the southern section of the building (which could be accessed from an expanded bridge of Eastern Avenue to Pier 4).

      The infill retail space east of the Pier Four Power Plant will line up with Market Place and serve as a focal point between Pratt Street shopping and additional retailing opportunities on Market Place leading to Power Plant Live!   The first three levels of the Candler Building on Market Place should be converted into a major department store such a Macy’s, Lord & Taylor or Nordstrom.  The tent like space at the ground level of the Columbus Center should also be converted into a retail space.  This would have been a great location for the Under Armor brand store or a comparable facility.

     A revitalized retail corridor along Pratt Street from Light Street to Market Place will enliven and activate the Inner Harbor for visitors, downtown office workers and residents.  Pratt Street is accessible to mass transit, the circulator, many large parking garages, bikeways and foot traffic.  Major retail operators including Cordish, Ashkenazy, Brown, the current owners of the Gallery, and future retailers should form a cooperative marketing group to encourage shopping along the north side of the Inner Harbor for both visitors and Baltimore residents.

Inner Harbor Visitor/Special Event Opportunities

     The Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, Historic Ships and Pier Six Concert Center are the major visitor attractions at the Inner Harbor.  The Aquarium and Science Center have expanded many times since the inception of the Inner Harbor.  Pier 3 and the south end of Pier 4 should emphasize the aquarium with banners, distinctive landscaping, sculpture, etc.  The same is true with the Science Center at the southwest corner of the Inner Harbor.

     Currently maritime heritage sites are scattered along the waterfront.  With the Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse as a potential attraction, the Lightship Chesapeake, Submarine Torsk and Coast Guard Cutter Taney should be relocated to the south end of Pier 5 & 6 along with the Lady Maryland, Minnie V and other sailing ships of the Living Classrooms.  This would create a critical mass of maritime attractions.  The Pride of Baltimore could also be docked at this location when in-town.  The Pride of Baltimore I memorial at Rash Field could be relocated to this vicinity possibly at the southern end of Pier 6, since a below grade parking facility is planned for Rash Field.  At the present time, much of the activity and emphasis at the Inner Harbor is focused near the intersection of Pratt and Light streets.  Creating a

Maritime Heritage Center at the south end of Pier 5 will encourage visitors to see all of the Inner Harbor and help connect the Inner Harbor to Harbor East and Fells Point.

     Revitalizing the Pier 6 Concert Center will also spread activities out throughout the Inner Harbor.  The Pier 6 “tent” was last reconstructed in 1991.  At the time, it was reported to have a guaranteed 20 year lifespan.  That lifespan has been surpassed.  The concert center should be redesigned to allow access to the south end of Pier 6, which is now fenced off from the general public.  Moving the concert pavilion to align with the Pier 5 Hotel and the southern edge of Eastern Avenue will provide a more distinguished entrance for the center.  Moving the stage to the north will create a larger lawn that could be enjoyed both during concerts and as a passive recreational space when concerts are not in session.  The lawn could be further expanded  by extending the pier to align with the marina at Harbor East.

Inner Harbor Recreation Opportunities

 

     The Inner Harbor will have four major recreational spaces:  Rash Field, West Shore Park, expanded Pierce’s Park on Pier 5 & 6 and the Pier 6 Concert Center lawn.

     An expanded Rash Field will be reconstructed over a below grade parking facility which will replace the current parking deck south of the Rusty Scupper restaurant.  Rash Field will be used for active recreation.  The beach volley ball courts will be retained and consolidated in a location closer to the waterfront.  Since beach volley ball is a warm weather activity, the courts will be replaced by a skating rink in the winter.  A state-of-the-art track and playing field will be installed at Rash Field.  Regular athletic event will be scheduled throughout the year such as downtown office softball and touch football tournaments, South Baltimore soccer league, high school lacrosse games, Ravens football practice session before the start of the season, a special Orioles sponsored workout for Little Leaguers near All-Star Break, Special Olympics, 5 K race starting and ending points, neighborhood boot camp, etc.  A swimming pool could be built at this location, if space allows, as well as a skateboard park.  It may also be possible to bridge Key Highway to connect Rash Field to Federal Hill Park. 

 

     The West Shore Park and the area adjacent to the Science Center can be refurbished with water and sculpture gardens, a child’s science garden, playgrounds, and softer approaches to the promenade as defined in the Inner Harbor 2.0 plan.

     Pierce’s Park on Pier 5 & 6 will be expanded as a playground for children.  In conjunction with the Columbus Piazza, it will form a continuous park like environment along the north side of Eastern Avenue from President Street to Pier 4 and the gateway to the Inner Harbor from the East.  The lawn of Pier 6 will serve as an overlook for the Inner Harbor when not used as a concert lawn.  Since the lawn will be elevated, this would be ideal location for the “earthwork mound” now called for the West Shore Park in the Inner Harbor 2.0 plan.