There are many things simultaneously true about the state of downtown Baltimore in 2025. Like many cities across the country, downtown Baltimore is evolving. We’re navigating a moment of transformation — redefining what the heart of our city means for residents, businesses, visitors, investors and believers who shape our future from near and far.

What sets Baltimore apart is a collective determination and momentum we haven’t seen in nearly 50 years. Together, we’re leaning into our strengths — maximizing our assets, harnessing partnerships and investing in a future where downtown Baltimore drives opportunity and growth for the entire city.

This year’s State of Downtown report from our organization builds on that work. Developed in collaboration with partners like the Baltimore Development Corporation, JLL, Maryland Department of Commerce, Visit Baltimore, Maryland Department of Tourism, Live Baltimore and the Baltimore City Police Department Data Driven Strategies Division, it serves not just as a snapshot but as a toolkit — offering data, ideas and strategies for how we move forward.

And the story it tells is clear: Downtown Baltimore is rich with assets, energy and possibility.

We’re home to world-class sports facilities, a vibrant arts and culture scene, museums, theaters, public art and a growing entertainment and dining district. CFG Bank Arena — ranked fourth globally among venues of its size — draws hundreds of thousands of people each year.

That activity creates real opportunity — expanding restaurants, retail and public spaces to keep people here longer and deepen their connection to the city.

Our residential community is growing too — with 41,000 residents across 13 distinct neighborhoods, including 11,000 living in the Central Business District. Creative redevelopment is changing our landscape. Office-to-residential conversions have already removed 1.8 million square feet of vacancy, and more projects are underway.

Looking ahead, we’re focused on expanding those efforts — transforming buildings and reimagining open spaces to create places that meet the growing demands of our downtown neighborhoods.

The relocation of state agencies from the State Center will bring over 5,000 employees into the heart of downtown, occupying more than a million square feet of office space.

This move will help reactivate vacant office spaces, alleviate commercial vacancies and contribute to new vitality for downtown businesses and restaurants.

Programs like BOOST play a critical role in that evolution — filling vacant storefronts, creating amenities that serve a changing downtown and intentionally ensuring that the demographics of our city are fully reflected in downtown’s economic growth. By introducing new and innovative retail concepts, vibrant streetscapes and a clean and safe environment, we’re increasing foot traffic and strengthening the vibrancy of our public spaces.

Our economic anchors — health care, professional services and public administration — continue to create jobs and opportunity. And as we look ahead, Baltimore is positioned for what’s next. With our national Tech Hub designation and Gov. Wes Moore’s $1 billion Capital of Quantum initiative, downtown is primed for growth in technology, creative services, and life sciences — reinforcing our role as a center for innovation and investment.

Harborplace stands as a visible and vital part of that future. The vision led by MCB Real Estate will transform this iconic space — reconnecting neighborhoods, transit and the waterfront, while increasing pedestrian activity and density at the core of our city. Short-term, we’re focused on activating Harborplace now — bringing in new shops, businesses and partners like our BOOST program to ensure the space remains vibrant while the long-term vision takes shape.

None of this progress is accidental. Guided by the Urban Land Institute’s 2022 recommendations, we developed a plan to position downtown Baltimore for long-term success — aligning investments, partnerships and priorities around a shared vision for what downtown can and should be.

Gov. Moore has often stated that Maryland is asset-rich but strategy-poor. We’re addressing this by building a focused, coordinated strategy to transform Baltimore’s strengths into lasting impact.

That momentum continues with Downtown RISE — a strategic action plan created by Mayor Brandon Scott, in partnership with Downtown Partnership and others. RISE prioritizes investment in both immediate and long-term initiatives that support and advance the nearly $7 billion in public and private development underway through 2028.

The plan focuses on economic development, infrastructure, arts and culture, entertainment, public safety and cleanliness — driving the work required to create a downtown that thrives for everyone. Among these priorities is the Baltimore Convention Center, a vital project that strengthens our tourism economy and helps Baltimore compete for national and international events that fuel sustained economic growth.

At the same time, we’re focusing on placemaking and public realm aesthetics as key to our downtown strategy. By increasing pedestrian activity and introducing vibrant streetscapes, we’re creating spaces where people want to live, work and spend time.

Placemaking — from thoughtful streetscapes to activating public spaces — has been shown to reduce crime and create a safer, more welcoming downtown for all.

Together, we’re ensuring downtown Baltimore is no longer just asset-rich, but fully equipped with the strategy and leadership needed to deliver lasting results.

Still, we face real challenges. Reductions in federal government spending are already impacting our institutions — from higher education to hospitals — tightening the systems that help anchor downtown. These headwinds make our collaboration more critical. Now more than ever, we must lock arms and move together.

Our strength — and Baltimore’s future — is in how we show up together as public, private and nonprofit partners, jointly responsible for defining the future of downtown and the generational benefits it offers our city and entire region.

Collaboration is what defines us, drives us, and will keep us moving forward.

Downtown’s next chapter is ours to write — and we’re doing it, one partnership at a time.

Shelonda Stokes (sstokes@dpob.org) is president of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.