Md. high court overturns $2 million verdict in fire suit
A construction contractor cannot be compelled to pay its share of the responsibility for the extensive fire damage caused to a building project after the developer had agreed to absolve the contractor of future liability, Maryland’s top court has ruled. The Court of Appeals’ unanimous decision Tuesday overturned the $2 million Gables Construction Inc. was […]
Md. top court: Development accords need not provide ‘enhanced benefits’
In a victory for developers over environmentalists, Maryland’s top court has unanimously held that county-approved property-development agreements need not contain provisions ensuring enhanced benefits for the community, such as new schools or better roads. Nothing in Maryland law or in legislative history governing Development Rights and Responsibilities Agreements compel developers or counties[...]
Baltimore seeks proposals for former Superblock properties
Baltimore is looking for new proposals to develop properties that were once part of the long-delayed Superblock project. The Baltimore Development Corp., on behalf of the city, Monday released a request for proposals to purchase and redevelop 27 city-owned properties at Lexington and Howard streets in the Bromo Tower Arts & Entertainment District. The request […]
Developers shrug off chaotic stock market
As the U.S. stock market plummeted on Monday with memories of the 2008 financial crisis still fresh, developers generally shrugged off worries the volatile market could signal a coming economic slump that could hinder building. Developers with projects in the pipeline in Baltimore generally stayed calm, saying yesterday’s tumble and the past week’s struggles are […]
Use development incentives judiciously, Fry urges
Development incentives are necessary, but city government has to make sure it’s being judicious about how those inducements are awarded, according to the head of a local business advocacy group. On Thursday, in a wide-ranging interview, Greater Baltimore Committee President and CEO Donald C. Fry argued developments must meet the “but, for test,” which measures […]
Bernie Sanders to blame for Baltimore PILOTs?
Payments in Lieu of Taxes, or PILOTs, are incentives given to some developers to encourage building that have become increasingly controversial in Baltimore. The incentives, which essentially allow a developer to pay a set amount of taxes for a certain period of time to alleviate steep increases in property taxes created by new building and […]
Possible Circulator fee unpopular with developers, businesses
A charge to ride to the Charm City Circulator could limit its appeal, business owners and downtown advocates say.
Eight developers vie for county sites
Baltimore County received eight bids from developers for three properties that the county wants to replace.
County zoning fight heads into OT
A bitter fight over recent zoning decisions has spilled into the streets of Baltimore County as out-of-state petition-management teams hired by wealthy developers have set out to acquire nearly 58,000 signatures for a possible 2014 ballot referendum.
Gambling work group waiting for study
ANNAPOLIS — The fate of Maryland’s gambling industry appears to rest with a soon-to-be completed PricewaterhouseCoopers study, which will examine the viability of building a Prince George’s County casino and adding table games to all slot parlors in the state. Members of a work group that is studying the proposed expansion of the state’s gambling […]
Winston named top lawyer
Roger D. Winston, managing partner of the Bethesda office of Ballard Spahr, has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Washington, D.C. Lawyers for 2012 by Super Lawyers. Winston is a partner in the Real Estate Department of Ballard Spahr. He is also Co-Practice Leader of the Planned Communities and Condominiums Group and a […]
Former Prince George’s housing director sentenced to 3 years
GREENBELT — A former Prince George’s County housing director has been sentenced to three years and one month in prison for his role in a corruption scheme involving former county executive Jack Johnson. James Johnson pleaded guilty to asking for and accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes from developers. The 67-year-old Johnson was […]