Seven Baltimore residents filed a lawsuit Monday in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, asking a judge to block the city and an affiliate of MCB Real Estate from moving forward with a $900 million redevelopment that would demolish the Harborplace pavilions at Pratt and Light streets.

Legal claims

The complaint alleges that the City Council’s 2023 legislation – which altered zoning, removed height limits and granted MCB the right to redevelop the Inner Harbor site – was passed without proper authority. The plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment that the legislation is null and void, a permanent injunction preventing demolition of the pavilions, and an order halting any permits or approvals that would enable the project.

Background of the Harborplace project

In October 2023, MCB executives, city officials and state representatives unveiled a plan to replace the two Harborplace pavilions with a four‑building development that would include two apartment towers with more than 900 units, office space, retail, restaurants and public areas. Mayor Brandon Scott said at the unveiling that his administration’s law department and the Baltimore Development Corporation worked behind the scenes to ensure the project stayed in local hands rather than being sold to an out‑of‑town developer.

Under the current arrangement, MCB owns the pavilion structures while the city retains ownership of the underlying land.

Who is suing?

The plaintiffs – William John Pencek, David Tufaro, Anirban Basu, Eleanor M. Carey, Anthony Ambridge, Barbara L. Valeri and David Benn – are residents of Baltimore City, three of whom live within blocks of Harborplace. Their attorney is Michael R. McCann, Esq. The defendants include Mayor Brandon Scott, the Baltimore City Council, the Board of Estimates and MCB HP Baltimore LLC, the MCB affiliate.

Allegations of improper process

The complaint describes the city’s actions as an “unduly rushed, behind‑the‑scenes plan to privatize land within the Inner Harbor and hand it over, along with large areas of public parkland, to a favored developer.” It claims the city violated the City Code, Zoning Code, City Charter and the Maryland Constitution.

Specific points raised include:

• The city’s unconditional abatement of $262,500 in annual rent owed by MCB for three years while the developer sought permits.
• A payment of up to $1 million from the city to MCB for design, community engagement, planning and construction costs.
• Mayor Scott’s public admission that he “kept secrets” about the process, suggesting a lack of transparency.
• Three council bills drafted by MCB’s attorney that were introduced at the developer’s request.

Potential impact on the Inner Harbor

According to the suit, the redevelopment would affect 22‑23 acres of Inner Harbor shoreline, from the Maryland Science Center to the National Aquarium, and would take five years or more to complete. The first phase, called the Inner Harbor Park and Promenade Project, includes demolition of the pavilions and two pedestrian skybridges.

Current tenants of the pavilions, about 15 in number, are on short‑term leases that require them to vacate when construction begins. The developers have indicated the pavilions may remain open until early 2027, but the plaintiffs fear demolition could leave an unfinished site if financing falls through, citing the long‑standing hole left by the Morris A. Mechanic Theatre demolition.

Responses

The Mayor’s Office declined to comment, stating the matter is pending litigation. A city representative said the city will reserve comment for the appropriate judicial forum. MCB has not responded to requests for comment.

What’s next?

The lawsuit asks the court to issue a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction. If granted, the city would be barred from issuing any permits or approvals that would allow demolition until the legal issues are resolved.

Residents and members of the Inner Harbor Coalition, who monitor the project, say they support revitalizing the Inner Harbor but oppose high‑rise apartments on land designated as public parkland in perpetuity.

Original reporting: Baltimore Fishbowl — read the source article.