Charles Center - Inner Harbor
Series
Scope and Contents note
This series represents the bulk of the collection and consists of materials related to the entirety of the Charles Center and Inner Harbor development projects, including their origination, management, construction, design, and public and academic reception. The files span the origination of the project in the late 1950s, to the development of the area in the 1960s through the 1980s, even later development in the 1990s, and subject files concerning larger issues in Baltimore related to economic impact, urban design, and retrospective analysis through the 2000s.
See subseries descriptions for more information.
Dates
- Creation: 1947-2014
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1953 - 2011
Creator
- From the Collection: Millspaugh, Martin L., Jr. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.
Series 14: Electronic records is closed until processed. Please contact Special Collections for more information. The rest of the collection is open for use.
Biographical/Historical note
Chronology of the Charles Center - Inner Harbor Projects
- 1952
- Begin Phase One-Charles Center.
- Report of the Commission on the Governmental Efficiency and Economy: the City faces municipal bankruptcy if the downward trend is not stopped.
- 1954
- Closing of O'Neill's Department Store, December 26.
- Retail Merchants Association forms Committee for Downtown.
- 1955
- Creation of the Greater Baltimore Committee (DEO's of 100 largest businesses, law firms, universities, hospitals, etc.).
- 1956
- Formation of the Planning Council of the GBC.
- The Nation's first full-power municipal urban renewal agency.
- Walter Sondheim, Jr., appointed first Chairman of BURHA Commission.
- Ordinances designed by Eugene Feinblatt to utilize Federal statute.
- Merger of the Housing Authority, Redevelopment Authority and Housing Bureau.
- Appointment of the Baltimore City Urban Renewal Study Board following passage of the Urban Renewal provisions of Housing Act of 1954.
- Creation of the Baltimore Urban Renewal Housing Agency (BURHA).
- 1957
- William Boucher III becomes Director of the GBC and David A. Wallace Director of the Planning Council.
- Charles Center Project is identified as the first phase of the CBD Master Plan.
- Committee for Downtown contracts with the Planning Council for a $225,000 Master Plan for the Central Business District (CBD).
- 1958
- The Downtown Urban Renewal Area is adopted by the General Assembly.
- The Charles Center Plan is announced by the Planning Council of the GBC.
- $25 Million Municipal Bond Issue is approved by the voters for Charles Center.
- Charles Center Project endorsed by Mayor Thomas J. D'Alesandro, Jr..
- 1959
- Charles Center Renewal Plan is approved by the City Council.
- J. Jefferson Miller becomes General Manager of Charles Center at $1 a year.
- Creation of the Charles Management Office, under contract to the City.
- Housing Act of 1959 makes Charles Center eligible for Federal Urban Renewal Funds.
- Federal Urban Renewal Commissioner Richard L. Steiner returns to Baltimore to become Executive Director of BURHA.
- 1960
- One Charles Center, designed by Mies van der Rohe, wins competition for rights to build the first Charles Center.
- Blaustein interests buy the Hub Department Store site for the Blaustein Building.
- Martin Millspaugh appointed Deputy General Manager (COO) of Charles Center.
- U.S. General Services Administration agrees to build a Federal office building in Charles Center.
- Rights to rebuild in Charles Center granted to Hamburgers Men's Store and Vermont Federal Savings and Loan Association.
- 1961
- First demolition started in former O'Neill's Store building.
- Morris Mechanic granted the right to develop the theater in Charles Center.
- Federal Court upholds the constitutionality of the Charles Center condemnation plan.
- 1962
- Developmental rights in Charles Center granted to the Baltimore Gas & Electric Company and Sun Life Insurance Company.
- Hilton Hotels partnership granted developmental rights for the new hotel in Charles Center.
- First tenants move into One Charles Center.
- RTKL is awarded the contract to design the Charles Center plazas.
- 1963
- Voters approve $5 million municipal bond issues for Off-Street Parking in Charles Center.
- Meyerhoff interests win competition to develop Down Under Garage in Charles Center.
- 1963
- Theodore R. McKeldin becomes Mayor for the second time, announces the start of development of the entire Inner Harbor area.
- Begin Phase Two-The Original Inner Harbor Master Plan-Playground for Baltimoreans.
- 1964
- $2 million municipal bond issue passed by the voters to start the Inner Harbor development.
- Inner Harbor Master Plan is completed by Wallace, McHarg, Robers and Todd (WMRT).
- 1965
- Enters into contract to mange the Inner Harbor and Charles center projects for the City.
- Charles Center-Inner Harbor Management, Inc. (CC-IH)is created by Miller and Millspaugh.
- Millspaugh as President and Chief Executive.
- Miller becomes and non-executive Chairman.
- Christ Lutheran Church announces plans to build John L. Deaton Nursing Home and Harbor Apartments.
- A new home for the Maryland Science Center is announced as the first commitment for development in the Inner Harbor are.
- 1966
- Voters approve $12 million municipal bond issue for the Inner Harbor Project 1.
- Federal Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approves $17 million grant for the Inner Harbor Project 1.
- Charles Center-Inner Harbor Management, Inc. completes the development plan for the Inner Harbor Project 1.
- 1967
- Charles Center receives its first national award-from the American Institute of Architects for "Civic Design".
- Interstate Expressway Ordinance is approved: providing for a harbor crossing an interchange at the mouth of the Inner Harbor.
- 1968
- Richard L. Steiner retires.
- BURHA becomes the City Department of Housing and Community Development, with Robert C. Embry, Jr., as the first Commissioner.
- U.S. Fidelity and Guaranty Corporation makes the first commitment for a major corporate headquarters in the Inner Harbor area.
- Thomas J. D'Alesandro III becomes mayor.
- The Federal Design Concept Team recommends removal of the Interstate Expressway from the mouth of the Inner Harbor.
- The first demolition in the Inner Harbor Project 1.
- $ 5 million municipal bond issue is approved for the Inner Harbor West Project.
- 1969
- The Inner Harbor Campus of the Community College of Baltimore (CCB) is announced.
- Development rights granted to IBM and the Federal Reserve System for regional headquarters buildings.
- The USS Constellation is moved to Pier One in the Inner Harbor as the first attraction in the "Playground for Baltimoreans".
- Wallace, McHarg, Roberts and Todd are appointed to design the Shoreline area.
- 1970
- Decision is announced to develop the new Federal Reserve office building in Inner Harbor Project One.
- Events held in the Inner Harbor include the Federal Hill Festival, Eye Ball on Pier 4, and the First Ice Cream Stick Regatta for dinghies.
- The first City Fair is held in Charles Center.
- 1971
- Construction contracts are awarded for the Inner Harbor bulkhead, the Public Wharf and Constellation Dock.
- The Urban Renewal Plan for the Inner Harbor East Project is adopted by the City Council.
- Railroad lines in Pratt and Light Streets are terminated, except for service to McCormick's.
- Development agreement is signed for the IBM Building on Pratt Street overlooking the Inner Harbor.
- City Council approves Urban Renewal Plan for the Inner Harbor West project.
- William Donald Schaefer becomes Mayor.
- 1972
- Construction of the World Trade Center and the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Headquarters is approved by the State Board of Public Works.
- The Russian ship Tovarisch becomes the first tall ship to visit at Constellation Dock (Pier One)..
- J. Jefferson Miller dies and is succeeded by Walter Sondheim, Jr. as non-executive chairman of CC-IH.
- 1973
- The first Inner Harbor tour boat contract is awarded for the Patriot cruises.
- The City Fair is moved to the Shoreline in the Inner Harbor.
- The public warf for visiting ships is dedicated.
- 1974
- Charles Center - Inner Harbor (CC-IH) receives the Award for Innovative Management from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- Construction contract is awarded for the Inner Harbor Promenade.
- Contract awarded by the Port Authority for dredging of the channel for visiting ships.
- The Baltimore Convention Center, to be built in the Inner Harbor, is announced.
- 1975
- $30 million municipal bond issue is approved for the Inner Harbor West Project.
- The Otterbein Homesteading Program is announced for the sale of $1 dilapidated houses to be restored.
- Planning for the National Aquarium in Baltimore is announced.
- Construction contract is negotiated by CC-IH for the first Pride of Baltimore.
- 1976
- Visit of the Tall Ships to commemorate the U.S. Bicentennial: eight ships tie up in the Inner Harbor and hold an open house for the public.
- Consultants advise that Baltimore can create a tourist destination by building major attractions.
- Contract is awarded for the Top of the World observation floor in the World Trade Center.
- The Baltimore Center for the Performing Arts (BCPA) is established to operate the Mechanic Theater in Charles Center.
- Maryland Science Center, Inner Harbor Campus of CCB, Federal Courthouse, and Rash Field are completed.
- $35 million state bond issue approved for the Baltimore Convention Center.
- Moody's upgrades rating of Baltimore City Municipal Bonds.
- Advertising Age names Baltimore as one of the ten best cities in America.
- Begin Phase Three-Building an International Tourist Destination.
- Municipal bond issues are approved by the voters for the Aquarium ($7.5 million), off-street parking ($5 million) and Inner Harbor development costs ($6 million).
- 1977
- The first Mayor's Regatta and Maritime Heritage Festival are held in the Inner Harbor.
- Municipal Center and Financial District Renewal Plans are adopted by the City Council.
- The restoration of Old Otterbein Church is dedicated.
- The Rouse Company announces its proposal to build Harborplace.
- The agreement to develop the Hyatt Regency Baltimore Hotel is announced.
- 1978
- Referendum to block the development of Harborplace is defeated by the voters.
- The Pride of Baltimore receives an award from the National Trust for Preservation.
- Baltimore receives in international award for the best Urban Revitalization Program.
- 1979
- The Baltimore Convention Center opens with the Mayor's Ball.
- Construction is started on housing for the elderly in the Inner Harbor West Project.
- Ground is broken on the Sheraton Hotel in Inner Harbor West.
- 1980
- Restoration of the USS Constellation is completed.
- Harborplace opens on July 4 with a gala celebration.
- Charles Center receives the Award of Excellence from the Urban Land Institute.
- 1981
- The Rouse Company is selected to develop the Gallery mixed-use project with the Renaissance Hotel.
- Lightship Chesapeake is installed as a tourist attraction at Pier 4.
- Developer is selected for the Marriott Inner Harbor Hotel on Pratt Street.
- The Hyatt Regency Baltimore Hotel is opened, becoming the most successful hotel in the Hyatt chain.
- The Performing Arts Music Tent is opened on Pier 6.
- The National Aquarium in Baltimore is opened.
- James Rouse is featured on he cover of Time Magazine.
- 1982
- I-395 connection is opened from downtown to the I-95 Interstate Expressway system.
- Six Flags wins the first competition to develop the Power Plant on Pier 4 as an indoor theme park.
- Disney Chief Executive and associates arrive in Baltimore to tour the Inner Harbor.
- 1983
- Urban Renewal plan is approved for Camden Yards.
- First loft apartments opened on Pratt Street.
- Charles Center subway station is opened.
- Public Works Museum is opened in the former sewerage pumping station.
- 1984
- M. Jay Brodie leaves as Commissioner of HCD and is succeeded by Marion Pines.
- Bethlehem Steel shipyard on Key Highway is sold for development.
- Sandy Hillman and Walter Sondheim retire.
- CC-IH receives a Presidential Citation from the AIA.
- The Inner Harbor receives an Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
- Plans are announced for twenty more new and/or recycled public or private development projects in the Inner Harbor.
- 1985
- Martin Millspaugh leaves CC-IH to join James W. Rouse in advising other cities on waterfront development.
- Begin Phase Four: A Model for Other Waterfront Cities Around the World.
- 1986
- Pride of Baltimore is lost at sea.
- John Paterakis purchases the newly-assembled Harbor East site.
- The Inner Harbor Shoreline receives a Special Award for Excellence from the Urban Land Institute.
- Harbor Court Hotel opens.
- 1987
- The IMAX Theatre at the Science Center opens.
- Kurt L. Schmoke becomes Mayor.
- William Donald Schaefer becomes Governor.
- 1988
- Fells Point Master Plan is unveiled.
- Pride of Baltimore II is launched.
- 1989
- CC-IH merges with the Howard Street Development Corporation to become the Center City Development Corporation, Inc. (CCDC), headed by Albert M. Copp.
- 1990
- David M. Gillence becomes President of CCDC.
- 1991
- Center City Development Corporation is superseded by the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC), with Honora M. Freeman as President.
- 1992
- MTA opens the central Light Rail line.
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards opens.
- 1995
- William Boucher III, first Executive Director of GBC, dies.
- Mayor Schmoke names an eleven-member private sector Board of Directors for BDC.
- 1996
- James W. Rouse dies.
- Professional football returns to Baltimore when the NFL's Cleveland Browns move, becoming the Baltimore Ravens.
- M. Jay Brodie is appointed President of BDC.
Extent
From the Collection: 71.26 Cubic Feet (54 record center cartons, 1 flat box (31 x 25 x 2.25 inches), 1 oversize box (25 x 19 x 10 inches))
Language of Materials
From the Collection: Undetermined
Arrangement note
See also: Files related to the Charles Center – Inner Harbor projects can be found all throughout the collection. Patrons can search the entire collection for these terms to find other related material, including those in Series 6: Enterprise Development Company and related companies; Series 9: Photographs and images; Series 10: Writings and publications; Series 11: Professional publications and literature; and Series 12: Global Harbors documentary.
Arranged into two subseries: Impact and analysis and Planning and construction.
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
Contact:
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA
specialcollections@lists.jhu.edu
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA
specialcollections@lists.jhu.edu