Mixed-use Remington Row gets approval for state loan

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Hord Coplan Macht

A rendering of Seawall Development Co.'s plans for the 2700 block of Remington Avenue. Seawall plans to build a five-story, 140-unit apartment building resembling a historic red brick warehouse with 1,300 square feet of retail.

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Kevin Litten

Reporter- Baltimore Business Journal

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Baltimore's Board of Estimates on Wednesday signed off on a $750,000 state loan that is part of a larger financing package for the mixed-use Remington Row project proposed by Seawall Development Co.

The multi-block, $35.5 million project is the most ambitious yet pursued by the company in Remington. Seawall has also developed the Miller's Court housing and retail project and a former tire shop now home to Spike Gjerde's Parts & Labor restaurant and Single Carrot Theatre.

The financing package also includes funding from the Community Legacy program, which provides money for projects that encourage commercial revitalization; and new market tax credits, which are provided to developers that invest in low-income census tracts. Bank of America is providing the construction loan.

The Board of Estimates vote comes as Seawall pursues City Council legislation that will lift zoning restrictions on the site. The legislation passed the City Council's land use committee last week, and should go before the full City Council in the next several weeks.

Manekin said that between 25 and 30 people from Remington attended the hearing; the vast majority of residents testified in support of the project.

"Each one passionately spoke about how this was their project and how excited they were for it and how much good it's going to do for the neighborhood," Manekin said. "I think they take their neighborhood very seriously and want to make sure the city knows how important this project is."

The project includes 108 apartments, 30,000 square feet of office and 15,000 square feet of first-floor retail in a newly constructed building on the 2700 block of Remington Avenue. It also includes the redevelopment of the former Anderson Automotive body shop in the 2800 block.

Manekin said he hopes to get started on the project by the end of the year.

Kevin Litten covers Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development