Baltimore's decision comes about seven months after the Baltimore Development Corp. issued a Request for Proposals for the site on behalf of the city. BDC received three responses, and after a period of surveying the proposals, recommended CityScape's $71-million plan to the mayor.

"The selection of the CityScape proposal envisions an exciting new project, building upon the synergy being created in the central business district," BDC president MJ Brodie says. "This project involves a highly experienced development team, provides significant Minority Business Enterprise/Women's Business Enterprise participation, and offers excellent economic return to the city."

Now that Baltimore has signed off on CityScape's proposal, the group will make a move to purchase the city-owned property for $6 million. When all is said and done, the site will be home to a 25-story luxury apartment building with 300 units and 6,500 sf of ground-level retail space, and a parking facility to accommodate as many as 542 vehicles.

"We believe this project will enhance the quality of urban life in order to expand and solidify the commitments corporations have made to move into and remain in Baltimore City," adds Calvert & Lombard's Mark Sapperstein. Harkins Builders is onboard as the project's general contractor, while the architectural firm of Hord Coplan Macht Inc. will oversee design activities.