University of Maryland Plans Major Downtown Baltimore Redevelopment

The project includes housing, retail, and recreation facilities near the UMB campus.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The University of Maryland has received approval from the University System of Maryland Board of Regents to redevelop part of the West Lexington corridor in downtown Baltimore. The mixed-use district will feature over 1,300 residential beds, 25,000 square feet of retail space, and a new recreation complex.

Why it matters

This redevelopment project represents a significant investment by the University of Maryland in the city of Baltimore, transforming underutilized properties into productive, tax-generating assets that could benefit the local community.

The details

The project will be built along the corner of West Lexington and North Pine streets, near the University of Maryland Baltimore campus. It still needs approval from the Maryland Board of Public Works and Baltimore City, but if approved, construction could begin in 2027 with first openings in 2029.

  • The University System of Maryland Board of Regents approved the plan this morning (February 13, 2026).
  • If approved, construction could begin in 2027 with first openings in 2029.

The players

University of Maryland

A public research university and the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland.

University System of Maryland Board of Regents

The governing body of the University System of Maryland, which approved the redevelopment plan.

Maryland Board of Public Works

A state government agency that must also approve the redevelopment project.

Baltimore City

The local government that must approve the redevelopment project.

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What they’re saying

“These properties have been owned by us for decades. They've been sitting idle just as parking lots, and we're now talking about making them into very productive properties, by the way, that would enter the tax rolls of the city of Baltimore and pay taxes.”

— University of Maryland President (wmar2news.com)

What’s next

The project still needs approval from the Maryland Board of Public Works and Baltimore City. If approved, construction could begin in 2027 with first openings in 2029.

The takeaway

This redevelopment project represents a significant investment by the University of Maryland in the city of Baltimore, transforming underutilized properties into productive, tax-generating assets that could benefit the local community.