While some businesses listen to their customers, Duke Realty Inc. asks them for suggestions.
Estimated to cost around $150 million, the 184-acre project known as “Chesapeake Commerce Center,” had its name selected from about 200 entries from community members. Part of its development of the former General Motors plant on Broening Highway in Southeast Baltimore, Indianapolis-based Duke Realty has actively involved residents in the rehabilitation of the property.
The Baltimore Development Corporation estimated that the completed project could generate a total of about 3,000 new jobs during the next 10 years. This would almost triple the 1,000-plus jobs that were eliminated when the GM plant closed last year.
“The plant was a part of their lives for decades, and it was important to get [the community] involved in the project,” said John Macsherry, vice president of development and leasing for Duke Realty. “It is a desire to keep business in the city, and this project will be a tremendous benefit to the southeast community financially, as well as the city and the state.”
Since work began in late April, the old General Motors plant has been torn down and cleared from the site. During the demolition, Macsherry told The Examiner that about 96 percent of the building was recycled, creating 98 thousand tons of reusable materials.
The Maryland Department of the Environment has also been a proponent of the redevelopment, handling of hazardous materials and cleanup of the property.
“This particular project demonstrates what happens when regulatory agencies work in concert with developers,” said Jim Carroll, program administrator for the land-restoration program with MDE. “Not only is [Duke] going through the voluntary cleaning program, but the retroactive cleaning program as well.”
Once completed, the property could have as many as 16 buildings, totaling more than 2.2 million square feet of office space. The first two buildings, combining for about 470,000 square feet, are expected to be completed by the end of 2007.
“It gives us exactly what we need for the port area,” Baltimore City Councilman Jim Kraft said. “They need more and more space close to the water, and this helps meet those needs.”
An official groundbreaking ceremony for the Chesapeake Commerce Center is slated for June 28.
