Placemaking is more than the physical transformation of spaces; it’s a collaborative process that inspires communities to reimagine their public realms. Successful placemaking maximizes shared value, fostering a strong connection between people and the spaces they inhabit.
STV has a unique history of contributing to placemaking in Baltimore. In the pursuit of making communities better, we have contributed to the city’s evolving fabric for more than 30 years. Most recently, two standout projects have emerged that are poised to change the Baltimore landscape for generations to come.
Baltimore Peninsula: A Transformative Undertaking
The completion of Phase I of Baltimore Peninsula last year marked a significant milestone for STV. This 235-acre, mixed-use neighborhood development in South Baltimore, led by MAG Partners, represents one of the largest urban renewal projects in America. Baltimore Peninsula will create up to 14 million square feet of new office, retail and residential space, 2.5 miles of restored waterfront and 40 acres of parks and green space.
For more than five years, STV has played a pivotal role in the transformative Baltimore Peninsula project, serving as both civil engineer- and landscape architect-of-record for the infrastructure design of Chapter 1B – the initial phase of the project, which comprises 1.4 miles of new streets supporting the first 15 blocks of vertical development. Beyond Chapter 1B, our involvement persists, with ongoing contributions to planning and traffic analyses for future phases, including critical improvements to I-95 and the associated National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) process.
The development is a transformative undertaking that will have a far-reaching positive impact on Baltimore, its economy and its future, bringing jobs to the local community and building a world-class destination for residents, employees and visitors alike. Originally an office park developed in the 1980s, the area faced challenges in terms of access and connectivity with the waterfront and Baltimore’s urban fabric. STV’s strategic infrastructure plan addressed these issues by reorienting the site to connect with the waterfront, establishing a new and efficient street grid, and enhancing multimodal transportation connections to I-95 and the broader Baltimore transportation network.
Across the multidisciplinary services we’ve provided, our goal has been to develop a cohesive and vibrant community that provides more transportation options for more people, supports a clean environment and creates a united and thriving workforce.
Harborplace Redevelopment: Activating Baltimore’s Waterfront
Another pivotal venture shaping Baltimore’s future is the redevelopment of Harborplace – the crown jewel of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor developed in the early 1980s by visionary James Rouse. At the heart of Baltimore’s downtown waterfront, this project is set to redefine the area, establishing it as a premier destination for cuisine, commerce, culture, and all the best that Baltimore has to offer.
The vision for the new Harborplace is centered on authenticity and community. The redevelopment aims to build economic sustainability, keep jobs local, celebrate waterfront connectivity, prioritize accessibility, design for resilience, ensure safe and welcoming spaces, and build equitably. It seeks to transform area into a vibrant, inclusive hub that reflects the spirit and diversity of Baltimore, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience the best of the city.
STV is supporting the visionary master plan for this undertaking, providing horizontal infrastructure planning and design services and oversight to include surveying, civil engineering, entitlement services, landscape architecture, lighting and wayfinding signage for more than 18 acres of public space, including a new promenade along the harbor’s edge, and four proposed new buildings. As the project progresses into future phases, STV will focus on improving the surrounding streetscape and transportation network to prioritize pedestrians and alternative modes of transport to create a vibrant and accessible urban environment.
Building on Legacy: STV’s Commitment to Baltimore
Our legacy in Baltimore extends beyond these recent endeavors, spanning decades of providing crucial civil engineering services for transformative projects throughout the region.
Our involvement in legacy projects includes all five of the HOPE VI public housing initiatives in Baltimore, including the Heritage Crossing, Pleasant View Gardens, Flag House Courts, New Lexington Terrace, and Broadway Homes, which showcase our dedication to community-centric development.
Across these mixed-income communities, STV developed new street patterns, provided for pedestrian-oriented neighborhoods and open spaces, and facilitated access to public transportation. The strategic implementation of compact, low-density housing layouts reduced the density of the imploded 1960s high-rise developments which they replaced, while still maintaining a sense of community and a vital urban density which could support shops and corner stores.
Our continuous engagement in low-income tax credit housing, exemplified in projects like the Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO) Stadium Place, underscores our commitment to creative and inclusive urban development. Located on the grounds of the former Memorial Stadium, once home to the Baltimore Orioles until the construction of Camden Yards in the 1990s, Stadium Place stands as a national exemplar community offering mixed-income housing and essential support services. STV was part of the original master planning team and led numerous projects within the 33-acre redevelopment. The resulting mixed-use community features a new YMCA, a youth center, a public playground, multiple elderly and assisted housing buildings, and retail establishments. Its centerpiece is a new recreational ballfield, with home plate marking the location of the original Orioles ballfield, a project developed in collaboration with the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation.
More recently, STV has led the planning and site engineering for Somerset Homes, a development located near the Johns Hopkins Medical Campus. Comprising four buildings and a 1.3-acre park, this project replaces distressed public and assisted housing with high-quality, mixed-income housing that is well-managed and responsive to the needs of the surrounding community. In addition to the park, STV designed a courtyard for each building, providing residents with valuable amenities, as well as nearly $10 million of infrastructure improvements to support the project, including new public streets, utilities, and stormwater management treatment systems.
Across these diverse projects, clients recognize our ability to navigate the complexities of large-scale redevelopment, our expertise in the entitlement process, and our collaborative approach to infrastructure planning and design. Beyond technical expertise, what sets STV apart are the relationships we’ve built in the Baltimore region over decades.
STV’s rich history in Baltimore stands as a testament to our enduring commitment to making communities better. As we look ahead, we remain dedicated to contributing to Baltimore’s growth together with our partners, clients, and the communities we serve.
