Mayor Sheila Dixon unveiled an ambitious plan to promote new development in the burgeoning arts district surrounding Penn Station on Thursday.
Touting the release of the so-called “Vision Plan” for Charles North, a 20-block area that centered on Penn Station and the city’s Station North Arts District, Dixon said the plan was the key to connecting the city’s central arts district to other neighborhoods.
“I think it’s very clear this is a vital area that is going to be the connection to Baltimore’s east side and west side,” Dixon said.
“This plan is the key to centralizing the entire city.”
The plan proposes $1 billion in hotels, retail and residential development in an area that encompass parts of the Johns Hopkins campus, the Maryland Institute of Art, and the arts district, which includes the Charles Theatre.
The plan calls for development of four key areas called “anchor” areas: Penn Station; Charles and North corridors encompassing North Avenue and Charles Street; Asia Town, a restaurant district above North Avenue extending to 22nd Street; and the Creative Design Zone on East North Avenue near the MICA campus.
Among the boldest proposals are a boutique hotel and a high-rise apartment complex near Penn Station, and the redevelopment of the old Parkway Theater on North Avenue.
The “Vision Plan” is the result of $150,000 planning effort conducted by BTA+, a Boston design firm that developed the festival marketplace concept behind the successful Faneuil Hall waterfront shopping district in Boston and Harbor Place in Baltimore. The firm developed the plan with input from more than 30 community organizations, Dixon said.
Joining the mayor at the news conference was MICA President Fred Lazurus, who said the plan was key to stimulating growth in an already vital area of the city.
“This area is already undergoing an exciting renaissance, and the vision plan will help guide us into a future of sustainable growth.”
