Firms compete to revitalize Middle Branch Waterfront

BALTIMORE — Middle Branch Waterfront in South Baltimore is getting a face lift.

City officials say the Middle Branch Waterfront will be revitalized into Baltimore's next great recreational and natural waterfront.

Thursday, competing landscape architecture firms James Corner Field Operations, Hargreaves Jones, and West 8 presented their design concepts for the park. The designs include beaches, boardwalks, trails, and activities like kayaking.

This is an opportunity for nature itself to connect communities who historically have been divided or separated,” said Michael Middleton the chairman of SB7 Coalition, Inc. “This is an opportunity for folk from Brooklyn and Cherry Hill and Westport to come together in recreation or other types of things."

City leaders want to hear from their constituents. Residents can view the firms' designs and give feedback through June 12. There will be exhibits at the Cherry Hill Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Residents can view the designs at City Garage Monday through Friday from 10 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Online exhibits will be available through Wednesday, June 12 at www.middlebranchwaterfront.com.

On June 18, the firms will make their final presentations to a jury. They will also participate in a public presentation which will be live-streamed at City Garage.