Aquarium expansion behind schedule

The National Aquarium in Baltimore?s multimillion expansion in the Patapsco River?s Middle Branch area is at least a year behind schedule and could be scrapped altogether if the tourism attraction fails to purchase land for the new facility by a June 14 deadline.

The attraction?s original plans called for the conversion of a city garage located on 20 acres of city-owned property in Middle Branch into an animal care facility that would replace its existing off-site facility in Fells Point. Conversion of the facility as well as the development of a waterfront park and conservation area at the site is expected to cost about $35 million.