News
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CRE remains major economic driver even as growth slows
February 21, 2024Despite economic challenges, the commercial real estate sector contributed $2.5 trillion to the U.S. GDP in 2023, generated $881.4 billion in personal earnings and supported 15 million jobs. That’s according to 2023 Economic Impacts of Commercial Real Estate study by the NAIOP Research Foundation. In Maryland, the CRE sector contributed…
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Baltimore Coalition seeks to lower city property tax
February 21, 2024Renew Baltimore – a group of local faith leaders, business owners and economists – is running a petition drive to put a question on November’s ballot that could, if approved, lower city taxes. The Baltimore City property tax rate of $2.25 per $100 of value is notoriously high – more…
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Building Energy Performance Standards put on hold
February 7, 2024The General Assembly committee charged with providing oversight of the regulatory activities of State agencies has officially notified the Maryland Department of Environment (MDE) that it intends to put adoption of the Building Energy Performance Standard regulations on hold. The request by the Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review (AELR) Committee…
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Uncertainty and costs complicate office leasing
February 7, 2024After months of negotiations and significant concessions from the landlord, Bethany Hobbs was confident she had secured an attractive deal to provide 6,000 square feet of office space to a family-owned company. “We got all the way to docu-sign,” said Hobbs, Vice President of MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services. But…
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What to know about “The Corporate Transparency Act”
February 7, 2024Could a new, little-noticed, federal law – conceived to block money laundering through LLCs and other legal entities – impact your company’s operations? Bryan Saxton, Real Estate and Corporate Partner at Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, LLP, is recommending commercial real estate business leaders research the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) to ensure…
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Industry Roundtable: Office Space Demand Forecast for 2024
January 23, 2024(Left) Rob Bavar, President, Bavar Properties; Abby Glassberg, Principal, KLNB and Liz Allison, Leasing, Merritt Properties. NAIOP Research Foundation’s Q4 Office Demand Forecast highlighted the numerous challenges facing developers, landlords and brokerage professionals in the coming year. The continued reluctance among employees to…
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Funding shortfall threatens transportation and economy
January 23, 2024Looming cuts to state transportation spending and a systemic funding shortfall are stoking concerns that central Maryland could face a deterioration in infrastructure, services and its economy. In December, Maryland’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) released a proposed, six-year spending plan designed to…
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CRE tackles the big demand and cost of EV charging
January 23, 2024St. John Properties is adding charging infrastructure to office and flex properties. Photo courtesy of St. John Properties. In 2023, Maryland ranked among the top 10 states for electric vehicle (EV) adoption in the country and that is presenting commercial real estate owners…
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Changing tracks: Could a new approach to TODs succeed?
January 23, 2024Described as a major infill project, the Penn Station TOD will refurbish the historic train station and produce 1.6 million square feet of new commercial, retail and residential space on a 40-acre site. Image courtesy of Beatty Development. Beyond the scaffolding encasing Penn Station, crews…
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How should stormwater management adapt to climate change?
January 10, 2024A state proposal to double the amount of stormwater treated on development sites using small-scale infiltration practices is flawed, according to analysis by stormwater practitioners. In response to more frequent and intense storm events, the General Assembly passed legislation in 2021 requiring the Maryland Department of the…