Red Line's Loss is Gain for Broadway Market Renovation

The developer in charge of the long-awaited $4.2M makeover of the Broadway Market says the project could be back on track now that Gov. Larry Hogan has axed plans for the 4.2-mile Red Line.  

Construction on the rail project, which had included a stop at Aliceanna, would have halted leasing activity at the historic Fells Point attraction for three years, says WorkShop Development partner Richard Manekin. WorkShop says it's now actively reaching out to prospective food vendors for the market. It plans to renovate the north shed (pictured) and begin construction on a new building on the south side of the market spring '16, Richard says. Construction would wrap up spring '17.

After the renovation, the north shed (rendering) would include seven to 10 vendors similar to those you might find in Belvedere Square in North Baltimore. That may include stalls selling coffee, cheese, bread, produce, wine and ethnic foods.

WorkShop would also construct a 4,700 SF building (rendering) on an existing parking lot next to at the market’s south end, which would house a restaurant with outdoor seating. It would have waterfront views and be two blocks from the anticipated Recreation Pier hotel.

The new building will look similar to the existing south market (pic), which was renovated four years ago by Dave Holmes of South Broadway Properties LLC. Tenants here include Polish deli Sophia’s Place, Sal’s Seafood and Korean food joint Lucia’s.

The Baltimore Public Markets Corp, a nonprofit that manages Baltimore’s public markets on behalf of the city, tapped WorkShop to remodel the market two years ago. That agreement, which was extended due to the Red Line, expires in September, says Richard (pictured).

The Baltimore Public Markets would need to see a proposal prior to its October board meeting before deciding whether to extend its agreement with WorkShop, says Baltimore Public Markets executive director Robert Thomas. The agency will take into account the project’s challenges due to the Red Line, he says.

Two other public markets, Cross Street Market and Lexington Market, are also undergoing overhauls. "The goal is to make the markets responsive to the communities that they serve," Robert says.