The Baltimore Region: Stronger Together at the Pikesville Armory

 A cold rain was driving across expansive Pikesville Armory grounds when regional economic development directors and promoters assembled in the recently renovated Pikesville Armory Foundation headquarters building (the NCO Club) for the All Partner meeting of the Greater Baltimore Committee. 

Economic development panelists Jonathan Sachs, Karen Holt, 
Otis Rolley and Jennifer Jones (Photo: Philipsen)

The 17 acre Armory campus, less than 1/2 mile from the City line, is in the middle of a transformation as a regional arts hub. 

Kathy Klausmeier spoke a few welcoming words, Mark Anthony Thomas CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee as the host elaborated on his economic strategy "All In 2035" which has a strong regional approach and Foundation Director David Ginsburg explained the Armory project. Seawall's Thibault Mannekin who acts as the development partner on the project (his only foray outside the City) shook hands in the back and then disappeared. 

In the packed assembly room sat aligned on bar stools those who are responsible for economic development in their respective jurisdictions: Jonathan Sachs for Baltimore County, Karen Holt for Harford County, Otis Rolley for Baltimore City and Jennifer Jones for Howard County, if one can believe Otis Rolley now no longer competitors but "frenemies" that work together for the good of the region. It would make sense to be less parochial in a region which is clobbered by federal workforce reductions and a federal government that looks a "blue" Maryland with deep suspicion and which is often seen as not particularly business friendly, not as a state in which it is easy to do business.  GBC's All In 2035 tries to create a new narrative. 

Position the people, businesses, and amenities of the Baltimore Region as a globally recognizable and competitive brand. (Goal in All In 2035)

Site Plan of the Armory campus (Website)

"We don't compete with each other but with Silicon Valley or even other countries" was the prevailing view. 

All panelists praised the "new" revamped GBC under Thomas for stepping up to true regionalism, "living up to its name" as Rolley pointed out. Rolley also noted that we really have a dual metro area consisting of the Washington Region and its Baltimore counterpart. the BDC CEO, only since November in his post, also promised a refreshed organization which he thought had become a bit stale. He already almost doubled the staff at BDC to more effectively work on the multiple strategies such as "Baltimore Together" which Mayor Brandon Scott  has set in motion even before Rolley's arrival.  

GBC's Anthony Thomas as moderator
(Photo: Philipsen)

GBC's Thomas, as the moderator, asked his panelists about their biggest accomplishments, obstacles and aspirations and each used the opportunity to advertise the advantages of their jurisdiction. Although they all agreed that the region knows no boundaries, for example, when it comes to transportation as one of the big problems, there was little said in the direction of the region as a whole and how it could become nationally attractive beyond the already well known advantages in Eds and Meds which GBC wants to leverage for start-ups and innovation. Our region's strength in aerospace and defense should become once again a key asset as well. 

The Armory project itself was held up as an example of economic spin-off with its planned event spaces, indoor basket ball courts, Maker Space (a branch of Open Works), arts venues, a theater, senior center, possible restaurant, ballfields, walking paths and green spaces with an ADA compliant playground. 

The estimated $100 million project uses all kinds of funding sources and incentives, including historic tax credits and easements, a $2million matching grant form the Meyerhoff Foundation and public funds. The architect is Ziger Snead with Unknown Studio as the Landscape Architect. 

Armory Foundation's  David Ginsberg (Photo: Philipsen)

Interestingly, the entire project got off the ground not because of lofty government vision plans but because of relentless lobbying of devoted local residents who saw the potential of this property. They traveled far and wide to learn about precedents. The trips taught them that it would be better to own and run the facility as a private non-profit rather than have it run by the County. Instead Baltimore County will lease space for the senior center. The Foundation expects the facility to be self supporting in the end.

The mix of foundations, government officials, private business promoters, residents and individual businesses illustrated well that economic success in a rapidly changing world can only be achieved through collaboration and cooperation. 

Klaus Philipsen, FAIA