Another long-dormant Baltimore-area manufacturing plant — once brimming with blue collar workers who toiled each day to make a hard-earned living for their families — is scheduled to be transformed into a vibrant multi-tenanted business community to meet the emerging real estate demands of area companies.
Last month, Merritt Properties acquired the former GM Baltimore Global Propulsions Systems site in White Marsh with plans to construct nine single-story buildings comprising of approximately 750,000 square feet of space.
Merritt Properties expects to initiate demolition activities on the existing structure by year-end. The company is finalizing its redevelopment site plan and hopes to file for preliminary approval from Baltimore County in about a month. Construction is expected to start early next year.
The project, branded White Marsh Interchange Park, joins the redevelopment of the former Sparrows Point steel mill in Baltimore County and Sun Products manufacturing operation in Baltimore City as notable local projects with a new lease on life.
“There is a lack of greenfield land development opportunities in the Baltimore region, which is why we’re excited about the potential of this site,” said Scott Dorsey, Chairman and CEO of Merritt Properties. “We believe White Marsh Interchange Park will transform the area’s light industrial market and spur economic growth and job creation. It sits in a premier location and provides exceptional access to I-95 and the Baltimore Beltway.”
A number of local real estate development companies have seized opportunities in the White Marsh corridor. Chesapeake Real Estate Group and Atapco Properties acquired the former Paragon Outlets site to develop large-scale warehouse and industrial products and St. John Properties continues to execute its commercial office, flex/office and retail strategy at Greenleigh.
“The supply on the east side is very limited and we are seeing a surge in demand for product in this area,” said Pat Franklin of Merritt’s leasing team. “White Marsh Interchange Park will create homes for an abundance of businesses in need of small to mid-range light industrial warehouse space.”
When it closed up shop, General Motors was employing just over 300 people at the White Marsh site. Dorsey estimates that upwards of 1,500 will be employed at White Marsh Interchange Park upon full build-out.