The Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) issued its Spring Requests for Proposals (RFPs) this week offering key sites for future development in the neighborhoods of Upton, Coldspring and Waverly.

The multiple RFPs are seeking redevelopment plans for the following sites:

• 4701 Yellowwood Road (14,924 square feet of developable space on 3.69 acres of land) – formerly the Mercantile Building and previously used by the Waldorf High School, this site is in the Coldspring neighborhood and is nearly four acres of greenspace, including a pool, tennis courts and parking. 

• 1315 Division Street (14,000 square feet of developable space on a lot of more than 30,000 square feet) – formerly the Henry Highland Garnet School (PS 103), this site is in the Upton neighborhood in the Old West Baltimore National Register Historic District and is a Baltimore City Landmark.  Many prominent African American’s attended the school, including U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Thurgood Marshall.

• 811 W. Lanvale Street (10,000 square feet of developable space on lot size of more than 35,000 square feet) – formerly the Upton Mansion, this historic treasure in the Upton neighborhood has an amazing view of downtown and encompasses 43,680 square feet.   Registered as a local landmark and located within the Old West Baltimore National Register Historic District. 

• 707 E. 34^th Street (40,000 Square feet of developable space on almost one acre of land) – Located in the Waverly neighborhood, this site is available for development because of the new Waverly Elementary-Middle School opening in 2014. 

“Baltimore is a city of incomparable assets and opportunity,” said Ex Officio Mayor Bernard C. “Jack” Young.  “A quick look at these opportunities alone gives you a taste of the attractive economic activity that awaits investors here. The time has come for revitalization of these sites and we are gearing up for more development opportunities throughout the city.”

DHCD’s Development Division will evaluate proposals with consideration for many factors, including development diversity, existing financing and development resources, as well as an interest in accomplishing specific goals and objectives of the respective neighborhoods and their stakeholders.  The department will also be working closely with the Baltimore City Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP) for sites where historical districts are involved.

“Reinvestment in these long vacant sites will be a dramatic step forward for our neighborhoods and our city,” said DHCD Commissioner Michael Braverman. “We’re excited about the momentum we’re seeing.”

Responses to the RFPs are due on June 20, 2019.  A pre-proposal conference will take place at DHCD on Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at 3 p.m., 417 E. Fayette Street, 3^rd floor; providing details on each site, proposal submission criteria and timelines. 

For more information, or to download the Requests for Proposals, please visit https://dhcd.baltimorecity.gov/nd/development-opportunities.