Baltimore's Downtown Sees Gains Amid Ongoing Transition

State of Downtown report highlights progress in public safety, residential growth, and private investment in the city's core.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:19pm

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A minimalist, photorealistic studio still-life image featuring a polished, geometric metal sculpture in the shape of the Baltimore skyline, resting on a clean, monochromatic background and reflecting the soft, dramatic studio lighting, conceptually representing the transformation and revitalization of the city's urban core.A sculptural representation of Baltimore's downtown skyline reflects the city's ongoing revitalization efforts.Baltimore Today

The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore's 2025 State of Downtown report showcased continued momentum in the city's core, pointing to improvements in public safety, residential growth, and private investment. The report described a downtown economy in transition, marked by ongoing redevelopment activity and shifts in office space, along with a growing residential population and daytime workforce. Baltimore's mayor touted progress on long-standing challenges like crime and vacant properties, while emphasizing the city's commitment to diversity and inclusion through initiatives supporting Black-owned businesses.

Why it matters

The State of Downtown report provides a comprehensive look at the transformation underway in Baltimore's urban center, highlighting both the gains and the ongoing challenges as the city works to revitalize its core and make it more vibrant, walkable, and economically strong. The report's findings reflect broader trends shaping downtowns across the country, as cities navigate the impacts of the pandemic, changing work patterns, and the need to foster more inclusive growth.

The details

The 2025 assessment pointed to improvements in public safety, with homicides and shootings declining by 60% in the last five years. It also noted a steady investment pipeline across housing, mixed-use projects, and entertainment venues, along with a residential population now exceeding 40,000 and a daytime population of roughly 130,000. However, the report described a downtown economy in transition, with millions of square feet of office space either vacant or being repositioned for new uses. Maintaining this momentum will require continued coordination between public investment, private development, and policy incentives, according to the Downtown Partnership.

  • In the last five years, homicides and shootings have declined by 60 percent.
  • Since 2020, one in four vacant properties have been eliminated, reducing the total from 16,000 to 11,836.

The players

Shelonda Stokes

President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.

Brandon M. Scott

Mayor of Baltimore.

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What they’re saying

“The work is underway, and we have a real plan. You know what I think about the state of Downtown? It's rising because of us.”

— Shelonda Stokes, President, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

“We know in Baltimore we can do and will do big things together. We will deliver and create solutions to generational challenges and drive investment and growth until the residents and business owners in the heart of the city know that Baltimore has reached its full potential.”

— Brandon M. Scott, Mayor of Baltimore

What’s next

The city and Downtown Partnership plan to continue their coordinated efforts to address long-standing challenges, support private investment, and foster a more inclusive and vibrant downtown.

The takeaway

Baltimore's downtown is in a state of transition, with both progress and ongoing challenges. The city is working to build on gains in public safety, residential growth, and private investment, while also tackling issues like vacant properties and ensuring that the revitalization benefits all members of the community.