After 45 years, the 1st Mariner Arena?s days might be numbered.
Last May, at the request of several city and state economic development agencies, the Maryland Stadium Authority composed a feasibility study for a new Baltimore arena.
The study acknowledged 1st Mariner continues to host a wide range of events, but it cautioned the facility “is becoming operationally inefficient and increasingly obsolete.” The report was critical of the arena?s “obstructed sight lines, cramped concourse level and lack of street-level activity.”
“The city, in partnership with the State of Maryland, has created one of the nation?s best sports complexes in Baltimore?s expanding downtown,” said M.J. “Jay” Brodie, president of the Baltimore Development Corp. “There is one missing piece ? replacing the out-of-date arena with a new facility equal to the quality of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium.”
1st Mariner generates about $47 million in economic impact and $3.7 million in tax revenues per year. A new, 15,000- to 16,000-seat arena with 1,000 to 2,000 club seats and 10 to 20 suites could potentially yield about $63 million in economic impact and about $5 million in tax revenues annually, according to the study.
“It?s essential that we have a centrally located, state-of-the-art venue of larger capacity ? to enhance the region?s quality of life,” said Donald Fry, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee.
Seven development groups in November submitted proposals for a new city arena. Last week, Baltimore officials traveled to Kansas City, Mo., to learn more about the city?s new, 18,500-seat Sprint Center.
The gears are clearly in motion to replace the old facility.
“We need to start facing the fact that we need a new arena in Baltimore,” Kirby Fowler, president of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore said.
