MARYLAND STADIUM AUTHORITY

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The Maryland Stadium Authority plans, finances, builds, and manages sports facilities, convention centers, entertainment venues, and other projects in Maryland.

Formed by the General Assembly in 1986, the Authority was authorized to select a site for new sports stadiums in the Baltimore metropolitan area, and acquire, construct, and operate these facilities (Chapter 283, Acts of 1986).

Gate C entrance, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Eutaw St., Baltimore, Maryland, July 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

Following the Ravens' move to the new stadium, its old site at Memorial Stadium (at 33rd Street in northeast Baltimore) remained vacant. Demolition of Memorial Stadium began in 2001 and was completed on February 15, 2002.

M&T Bank [Ravens] Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland, May 2015. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.

Subject to approval by the Board of Public Works, the Authority may hold an ownership interest in and operate a professional football or major league baseball team or team franchise, on a temporary basis, during a transition of the team or team franchise to private ownership.

The Authority consists of seven members who serve four-year terms. Six are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. One is chosen by the Mayor of Baltimore with Senate advice and consent. The Governor names the chair. With the Governor's approval, the Authority appoints the Executive Director (Code Economic Development Article, secs. 10-601 through 10-655).

Work of the Authority is assigned to ten groups: Capital Projects Development; Capital Projects and Planning, Facilities; Finance; Human Resources; Information Technology; Internal Audit; Marketing and Communications (& Maryland Sports); Procurement; Public Safety and Security.

CAPITAL PROJECTS DEVELOPMENT GROUP

The Group oversees matters relating to the Baltimore City Convention Center, the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center (Hippodrome Theatre Complex), the Montgomery County Conference Center, and the Ocean City Convention Center.

Projects that have been completed by the Authority include:

Camden Yards Sports Complex, Baltimore

1992, April 6. Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened
1995. Camden Station completed
1998, Sept. 6. Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards (now M&T Bank Stadium) opened
2005. Camden Station Restoration
2003, May 26. Veterans Memorial dedicated
2006, Sept. Camden Station, Phase II completed
2011, May. Baltimore Grand Prix, completed
2019. MDOT MTA/MARC Camden Station Replacement
2019. Camden Yards Sports Complex Pedestrian Spine
Baltimore City Convention Center (BCCC)

1996, Sept. BCCC expansion completed
2011. BCCC Expansion/Arena Study
2016. BCCC Expansion Study
2020. BCCC Modernization Effort
Ocean City Convention Center (OCCC)

1997. OCCC renovation and expansion completed
2011. OCCC Study & Expansion
2014. OCCC Performing Arts Center
2015. OCCC Phase 3, Expansion Study
2021. OCCC Phase 3, Expansion & Improvements
Towson University

2001, April. John B. Scheurholz Baseball Complex completed
2002. Unitas Stadium
2003, March. Sports Complex completed
University of Maryland Baltimore County

2002, Jan. 28. University Commons opened
University of Maryland, College Park

2002, March. Softball Field opened
2002, Oct. Comcast Center opened
2002. Parking Garage
2002. Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, demolition completed
2003, Feb. Hippodrome Performing Arts Center, Baltimore, opened
2003, June 18. Ripken Stadium, Aberdeen opened
2004, Oct. Montgomery County Conference Center, Bethesda, completed

2018. North Bethesda Conference Center Parking Structure
2019. New Pedestrian Bridge North Bethesda Conference Center Parking Structure
2007. Allegany Motor Sports Park Feasibility Study
2007. Baltimore Arena Feasibility Study
2007. Maryland Horse Park Feasibility Study
2008. Charles County Minor League Stadium
2008. National Sailing Hall of Fame Feasibility Study
2008, May 2. Southern Maryland Baseball Stadium, Waldorf, opened
Coppin State University, Baltimore

2009, Dec. Physical Education Complex opened
2012. Coppin Center Arena demolition completed

2009. MLS Stadium Study in Prince George’s County
2010. Baltimore City Soccer Stadium Study
Baltimore City Circuit Courthouse Study

2011. Baltimore City Circuit Courthouse
2016 & 2019. Baltimore City Circuit Courthouse
2012. Annapolis Arts Center Study
2012. Bowie Lacrosse Stadium Study

2014. Green Branch Multi-Field Sports Complex Study
2015. Collington Stream Valley Park Lacrosse Complex
2012. City of Frederick Conference Center Study
2012. Hagerstown Stadium Lease Study
2012. Market and Economic Analysis of Wicomico Youth and Civic Center
2012. Show Place Arena Study
2012. Troy Park Tennis Feasibility Study
2012. Washington Redskins Training Center/Headquarters Study
2012. Wicomico County Youth and Civic Center Study
2014. Market and Economic Analysis for the Proposed New Maryland Horse Park System
2014. Perdue Stadium Improvements Study
2014. State Center

2017. Baltimore State Center Alternative Land Use Study
2015. Market and Economic Analysis for a Proposed New Multi-Purpose Civic Center in Waldorf
2016 & 2018. Pimlico Race Course Study, Phases 1 & 2
2017. Worcester County Arena & Sports Complex)
2019. Fair Hill Special Event Zone
2019. Hagerstown MiLB Ballpark – Market and Site Assessment
2020. St. Mary’s County Youth Sports Tournament Complex Study Phase 1
2021.Hagerstown MiLB Ballpark – Multi-Use Sports and Events Facility Effort
2021. Ocean City Indoor Fieldhouse & Outdoor Field Complex Study, Phase 1
2022. Prince George's County Proposed Tennis Complex Study
2022. Frostburg State University I-68 Recreation Complex Step 1 Study

Current projects include:

Redevelopment of the Pimlico and Laurel Park Racing Facilities Project
Hagerstown Multi–Use Sports and Events Facility Project
Department of Legislative Services Annapolis State Government Complex
The Warehouse at Camden Yards Improvement Project (underway)
Prince George’s County Blue Line Corridor Sports and Entertainment Facilities – Feasibility Study & Design/Build Services
Wicomico Youth & Civic Center Renovation / Expansion Study
MLS NEXT Pro Proposed New Multi-Use Soccer Stadium Business Advisory Services
Frostburg State University – I-68 Regional Recreation Complex Planning and Design Services
Ocean City Indoor Fieldhouse & Outdoor Field Complex Study, Phase 2
Historic St. Mary’s City Fort Market and Economic Study
Coppin State University Proposed New Public Safety Building Preliminary Design

BALTIMORE CONVENTION CENTER
In 1992, certain responsibilities of the Baltimore Convention Center Authority were transferred to the Maryland Stadium Authority.

To enlarge and improve the Baltimore Convention Center, the Maryland Stadium Authority was authorized to begin design and construction or hire a firm for this work (Chapter 400, Acts of 1993). Expansion was completed September 1996, and refurbishment of the original structure in April 1997.

The Center is located at 100 West Pratt Street. Convention Center receipts are deposited in the Baltimore Convention Center Financing Fund.

Baltimore Convention Center, West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, April 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

FRANCE-MERRICK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
(HIPPODROME THEATRE COMPLEX)
The Authority oversaw the design and construction of the Hippodrome Theatre and the buildings adjacent to it. Located at 12 North Eutaw St. in Baltimore, the Complex was named the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in June 2003. The Hippodrome Theatre opened on February 10, 2004.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY CONFERENCE CENTER
In 1996, the Authority was empowered to provide for the development and construction of the Montgomery County Conference Center (Chapter 407, Acts of 1996). The Center opened on December 1, 2004. It is located at 5701 Marinelli Road at Rockville Pike in North Bethesda, adjacent to the White Flint Metro station. In December 2017, upon completion of a parking structure adjacent to the Conference Center, Montgomery County requested and the Authority designed, constructed, and completed a pedestrian bridge as well in 2019.

OCEAN CITY CONVENTION CENTER
For the renovation, expansion, and operating costs of the Ocean City Convention Center, the Authority was authorized to issue bonds in 1995 (Chapter 603, Acts of 1995). Also known as the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, its renovation and expansion were completed in the fall of 1997.

The Authority maintains the Ocean City Convention Center Financing Fund and oversees a feasibility study of further Center expansion. In 2019, the General Assembly authorized the Authority to partner with Ocean City to further expand the Center (Chapter 217, Acts of 2019).

Additionally, the Maryland Stadium Authority oversees the construction and revitalization of certain Baltimore City public schools, and the demolition of blighted structures throughout Baltimore City as part of Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise).

Under the Capital Projects Development Group are Projects and Studies, and School Projects.

PROJECTS & STUDIES
At the request of the Governor, General Assembly, or counties and municipalities, the Maryland Stadium Authority's functions have evolved and expanded over the past 35 years to include numerous economic, development and planning studies in addition to many construction projects and programs. To date, the Maryland Stadium Authority has completed $3 billion in projects across the State that were delivered on-time and on-budget. To local officials, Authority studies provide information, not recommendations, to help with investment and benefits decisions for their communities.

PROJECT C.O.R.E.
In January 2016, the Maryland Stadium Authority began overseeing the demolition of blighted structures throughout Baltimore City. Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise) is a partnership between the Authority, Baltimore City, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. Over a period of four years, up to $75 million has been earmarked for demolition, stabilization, and deconstruction of structures. This work constitutes Phase 1 of the Project.

SCHOOL PROJECTS

21st CENTURY SCHOOL BUILDINGS PROGRAM
The 21st Century School Buildings Program is a partnership between the Maryland Stadium Authority, Baltimore City Public Schools, the City of Baltimore, and the Interagency Commission on Public School Construction. The Authority’s role is to finance, procure, and build 21st Century schools in communities throughout Baltimore City.

Completed 21st Century Schools include: Fort Worthington Elementary/Middle School, Frederick Elementary School, Wildwood Elementary/Middle School, Dorothy I. Height Elementary School, Arundel Elementary, Arlington Elementary School, The Historic Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle School, Forest Park High School, Pimlico Elementary/Middle School, the Academy for College and Career Exploration and Independence School (in the Robert Poole Building), the Lake Clifton Park Building, John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle School, Calvin M. Rodwell Elementary/Middle School, and Bay-Brook Elementary/Middle School, Mary E. Rodman Elementary School, Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle School, Lois T. Murray (in the Walter P. Carter Building), Medfield Heights Elementary School, Billie Holiday Elementary School, Katherine Johnson Global Academy, Robert W. Coleman Elementary School, Govans Elementary School, Patterson High School, Claremont Middle/High School (in the Patterson Building) and Northwood Elementary.

BUILT TO LEARN ACT
By the Built to Learn Act of 2020, the General Assembly authorized the Maryland Stadium Authority to issue up to $2.2 billion in debt for the construction of public school facilities throughout the State (Chapter 20, Acts of 2020).

In October 2021, Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved the Authority issuing a series of bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $520 million, the initial proceeds of which will be used to partially finance the construction of public school facilities in six Maryland counties.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP

MARYLAND SPORTS
In October 2017, Maryland Sports was established by statute (Chapter 575, Acts of 2017).

Maryland Sports works to bring regional, national and international sporting events to Maryland. Also, for the National Association of Sports Commissions, Maryland Sports serves as the State's sports commission.

Since February 2021, Maryland Sports also is responsible for administering the Youth and Amateur Sports Grants Program and the Michael Erin Busch Sports Fund (Chapter 33, Acts of 2021; Code Economic Development Article, secs. 10-612.1 and !0-612.2). The purpose of both the Program and the Fund is to bring new youth and amateur sporting events to Maryland, attracting participants, sports fans, and tourists.

The Maryland Stadium Authority may establish affiliated foundations to work with Maryland Sports. Such affiliated foundations are not units of State government or instrumentalities of the State. To promote sports in Maryland, however, they may solicit and receive contributions from businesses, individuals, government entities, and nonprofit organizations (Chapter 575, Acts of 2017; Code Economic Development Article, sec. 10-612).

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