Federal officials plan an online auction next week of the historic Middle River Station off the extended Maryland Route 43 in Baltimore County.
“Middle River Station is ripe for a development team that shares the county?s and community?s vision for a lively mix of business, residential and commercial uses,” said Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith.
The site, constructed in 1929, was once home to Glenn L. Martin Aircraft, which built World War II bombers at Middle River Station.
With more than 1.9 million square feet of space, the 50-acre site with huge unobstructed interior space to accommodate the wingspan of airplanes, is currently used as a federal storage facility.
Several years ago, Baltimore County officials with help from state funds, extended Maryland Route 43 (White Marsh Boulevard) in eastern Baltimore County to the Middle River Station.
The location is considered an ideal business site because of its proximity to the MARC Middle River commuter rail station, Martin State Airport, and a new 1,000-acre business park called the Baltimore Crossroads @95 Windlass Run Business Park.
The online auction will begin Wednesday, June 28. David L. Winstead, a commissioner with the General Services Administration will tour the site between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m.
Officials with Baltimore County regulatory agencies, the GSA and the Maryland Historical Trust will also be on hand to answer questions.
Because of its World War II heritage, a portion of the Middle River Station is on the Baltimore County Landmark Buildings List and the Maryland Historical Trust?s Inventory of Historic Properties.
It is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places, GSA said in a release.
County officials said several programs are available to help develop the property such as Renaissance Development Designation, which could put a project on fast track approval.
Developers may be able to get a Commercial Revitalization Tax Credit or Enterprise Zone help, said the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development. Those programs offer real property tax credits and state income tax credits.
“With employment intense development, the Middle River Station can be trulycatalytic and produce significant local and regional economic benefits for the area,” Winstead said.
ABOUT THE PROPERTY
» The station has a two-story warehouse in main building.
» County, state and federal historic tax credits are available for developers.
» For more information visit GSA online auction web site at www.auctionrp.com.
