The Essex-Middle River Renaissance Corp. voted April 11 to ask the County Council to designate an area including the federal General Services Administration Depot on Eastern Boulevard as a Renaissance Opportunity District.
The depot's anticipated sale, as well as a concept development plan created by Baltimore County, the state and GSA officials, spurred the request for the designation, under which a developer would cooperate with community members in exchange for greater flexibility in zoning.
The concept plan suggests constructing a new entrance from Eastern Boulevard, creating an interior road system, buying adjacent land, shifting the MARC train station east and adding a parking garage, residential condominiums and flexible space for offices or retail uses.
Bill Jones, a redevelopment specialist with the county's Department of Economic Development, said developers already have expressed interested in the site.
A bid package, including an environmental assessment, should be available by June, said Kristine Carson, a GSA representative. A sale is expected by August.
"We want to coordinate with the community and the county so everyone has the opportunity to buy the property," Carson said. "We will be supportive and we want to share the vision with those folks that have the wherewithal to make it happen."
The 1.9 million-square-foot GSA complex was built in 1942 for the Glenn L. Martin Co., which assembled B-26 bombers there. The GSA can make sure the building's historic elements are protected, but also needs to "maximize the value," Carson said.
