BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, May 22, 2024) –  Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott released Downtown RISE: A 10-Year Vision, a comprehensive long-term outlook for downtown that builds on Mayor Scott’s Downtown RISE: Strategic Action Plan, launched last month. This 10-Year Vision, a collaboration between Mayor Scott’s Administration, Governor Wes Moore’s Administration, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, and a diverse downtown stakeholder group, serves as a framework to make Baltimore’s Downtown more livable, pedestrian friendly, and vibrant. 

With the release of the 10-Year vision, Downtown RISE, initially announced in November 2023, now includes both a medium-term action plan outlining critical projects, investments, and strategies and long-term comprehensive planning targets to chart downtown Baltimore’s next chapter.

“As a city of neighborhoods, Baltimore’s renaissance requires both uptown and downtown to thrive,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “In order for downtown Baltimore to achieve its full potential, we need to be deliberate, comprehensive, and collaborative in our approach. The Downtown RISE 10-Year vision delivers that and more. I want to extend my gratitude to Governor Moore, Downtown Partnership, and the numerous stakeholders who have helped put together this vision and will be instrumental in making it a reality. Together, we are going to continue building Baltimore’s renaissance and see downtown RISE.”

“Over the past year, Mayor Brandon Scott and my administration have worked hand-in-hand to create a vision for downtown Baltimore.” Said Governor Wes Moore. “We brought key stakeholders together, like the Baltimore Orioles and the Ravens, the Baltimore Convention Center, the National Aquarium, UMB, UMMS, Downtown Partnership, Baltimore Development Corporation, and other investors in downtown, to create a Master Plan that interconnects our major assets and focuses on trajectory and growth. The time is now. The opportunity is now, and together, we will see Baltimore RISE.”

The Scott Administration announced Downtown RISE in November 2023 and released a set of immediate actions to improve the vibrancy of downtown Baltimore. In the six months following the release of the initial phase of Downtown RISE, the Scott Administration engaged hundreds of residents, business owners, nonprofit leaders and stakeholders from across the city through surveys, town halls, and briefings to inform the comprehensive Downtown RISE strategy. The strategies included in Downtown RISE serve as the now-to-medium term priorities for downtown investment. 

And now, this third and final phase of Downtown RISE will focus on the long-term 10 year strategic vision for downtown. In partnership with key downtown stakeholders including, but not limited to, Live Baltimore, Baltimore Development Corporation, Baltimore Convention Center, the Maryland Stadium Authority, and others, the Scott Administration will continue to engage the community as we finalize a long-term strategic vision for the future of downtown.

“Downtown Partnership is thrilled to partner with Governor Moore, Mayor Scott, and so many critical downtown stakeholders on the Downtown RISE 10-Year Vision,” said Shelonda Stokes, President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore. “Our teams work everyday to make our downtown cleaner, more vibrant, and more livable, and we’re thrilled to help make this 10-Year Vision a reality.” 

Downtown RISE: A Strategic Action Plan provides strategies across key four focus areas: 1) economic development, 2) infrastructure development, 3) arts, culture, and entertainment, and 4) public safety and cleanliness. The full plan can be found here.

Downtown RISE: A 10-Year Vision is a framework for a more livable and inclusive downtown, and the release kicks off 6 months of community engagement. 

The full plan on the Downtown RISE website can be found here. Direct link to the pdf version can be found here.