Baltimore Development Corporation terminates agreement with group that wanted to redevelop ‘Superblock’

The Baltimore Development Corporation has terminated its agreement with Westside Partners LLC, the group that proposed to build a $150 million to $200 million mixed-use project called The Compass using 18 city-owned parcels on the west side of downtown.

“The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) and the City of Baltimore have decided to terminate the Land Disposition Agreement (LDA) with Westside Partners LLC for the Compass Project on the Howard-Lexington block,” BDC President and CEO Colin Tarbert said in a statement issued on Monday. “Given the time elapsed since the project was awarded and the two extensions already granted, BDC believes that reissuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) is in the City’s best interest.”

Former Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young selected Westside Partners in December 2020 to purchase and redevelop the area once known as The Superblock, one of his last acts before leaving office. The area is bounded roughly by Fayette, Howard and Lexington streets and Park Avenue. The sale price was $4,500,001. The group’s latest plan called for 302 residences and 102 hotel rooms as well as street-level retail space and meeting venues.

The BDC had given Westside Partners until Sept. 30 to complete its purchase of the properties tentatively awarded by Young and move ahead with construction. The developer asked for a three-month extension. The request came two months after one of the buildings awarded by Young, a vacant four-story structure in the 200 block of West Fayette Street, partially collapsed onto the sidewalk and street and had to be taken down at the city’s expense. A second building also was removed and the land is now a vacant lot.

Tarbert said in his statement that a new Request for Proposals likely will be issued in early 2025 and Westside Partners would be able to respond at that time.

“This approach allows the current developer time to secure investors and financing partners, should they wish to resubmit a proposal,” he said. “Additionally, it enables BDC to gauge any new interest in the project, considering the significant progress on nearby developments such as the CFG Bank Arena and Lexington Market.”