Pulaski Highway Revitalization Project
Staff Contact: Jackie MacMillan
Phone: 410-887-3495
E-mail: jmacmillan@baltimorecountymd.gov
Pulaski Highway study area
Baltimore County has identified an 850-acre district along a five-mile segment of Pulaski Highway (U.S.40) in the Middle River community as a potential target area for community-scaled redevelopment.
Goals
The project seeks to make better economic use of undervalued land, improve the corridor's image, attract jobs to the district, improve transportation conditions in and around the district, and enhance quality of life for the surrounding communities.
It is intended to raise property values, leverage private reinvestment, and generate redevelopment that can serve as a model of sustainable suburban growth.
Opportunity
The district is a tract of undervalued industrial land situated within a County growth area. It occupies a prime location and enjoys excellent regional accessibility.
The district is located minutes from I-95, the Baltimore beltway, and a MARC commuter rail station, affording easy access to business, professional, and government centers throughout the region. Its location within a 25-minute reverse commute of Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) provides opportunities to attract contractors and support businesses associated with the military base realignment and closure (BRAC) initiative.
The district lies between the growing office markets of White Marsh to the west, and the Baltimore Crossroads @ 95 to the east. The district can benefit from proximity to these markets, while its successful redevelopment can strengthen them.
The district is well suited for redevelopment as a walkable, mixed-use employment center. Market demand exists for such a district at this location, and positive market projections are not dependent on BRAC-related growth. Physical road and land capacity is available to accept growth.
The district is zoned for intensive employment-oriented development, but land developers and businesses have overlooked the area for decades, largely because of the corridor's unattractive appearance and negative reputation. Coordinated intervention is needed to realize the district's potential. Through effective planning and coordination, redevelopment at this location can provide significant benefits for the Middle River community, land owners, developers, and County government.
Previous Work
Baltimore County conducted a phase one study in 2009, and a phase two study in 2010, to prepare for revitalization planning. The studies were conducted with funds provided by the Chesapeake Science and Security Corridor (CSSC) Consortium, a multi-jurisdictional entity established to address changes generated by the BRAC mission at APG.
The phase one study included an assessment of the U.S.40 corridor, which resulted in the identification of an optimal location for an initial redevelopment project. This phase also included market and fiscal analyses. The phase two study included traffic modeling and transportation analyses; the compilation of mapped data into an automated (GIS) format; and discussions with property owners, residents, and civic and business organizations in the district and vicinity. Both studies considered environmental conditions and issues.
Technical Reports
Work accomplished to date is presented in the Final Summary Report, and the Final Transportation Report from the Phase Two study.
Next Steps
The County intends to undertake a third project phase which will involve detailed planning and the preparation of implementation tools. The County will actively engage all interested parties in this effort.
The existing character of Pulaski Highway.
The potential character with redevelopment as a vibrant,
mixed use center.
