The Maryland Stadium Authority plans, finances, builds, and manages sports facilities, convention centers, entertainment venues, and other projects in Maryland.
Formed by the General Assembly in 1986, the Authority was authorized to select a site for new sports stadiums in the Baltimore metropolitan area, and acquire, construct, and operate these facilities (Chapter 283, Acts of 1986).
![[photo, Gate C entrance, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Eutaw St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/images/i006143a.jpg)
Camden Yards in downtown Baltimore was chosen by the Authority in 1987 as the site for separate baseball and football facilities (Chapters 122, 123, and 124, Acts of 1987). Having entered into a long-term lease with the Orioles baseball team, the Authority acquired the site and constructed Oriole Park at Camden Yards as a baseball park that opened April 6, 1992. For the use of the Ravens, the National Football League team, the Authority also managed Memorial Stadium (former home of the Baltimore Orioles) from 1996 to 1997.
Gate C entrance, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Eutaw St., Baltimore, Maryland, July 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
![[photo, M & T Bank [Ravens] Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/01glance/sports/images/1198-1-07113b.jpg)
The Ravens’ new home in the sports complex at Camden Yards, Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards, opened September 6, 1998. PSINet Inc., purchased stadium naming rights on January 22, 1999, and the Stadium was renamed PSINet Stadium. On February 28, 2002, the Stadium reverted to its original name, Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards, and was known as such until M&T Bank Corp. purchased naming rights on May 6, 2003. The current naming-rights agreement on M&T Bank Stadium extends through 2027.
Following the Ravens' move to the new stadium, its old site at Memorial Stadium (at 33rd Street in northeast Baltimore) remained vacant. Demolition of Memorial Stadium began in 2001 and was completed on February 15, 2002.
M&T Bank [Ravens] Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland, May 2015. Photo by Sarah A. Hanks.
Subject to approval by the Board of Public Works, the Authority may hold an ownership interest in and operate a professional football or major league baseball team or team franchise, on a temporary basis, during a transition of the team or team franchise to private ownership.
Since July 2023, the Authority has consisted of eleven members who serve four-year terms. Six are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. The Senate President and House Speaker each appoint one member. One member is appointed by the Mayor of Baltimore with Senate advice and consent, and one is appointed by the Prince George's County Executive. The Governor names the Chair. With the Governor's approval, the Authority appoints the Executive Director (Chapter 17, Acts of 2022; Chapter 112, Acts of 2023; Code Economic Development Article, secs. 10-601 through 10-655).
Work of the Authority is assigned to ten groups: Capital Projects Development; Capital Projects and Planning, Facilities; Finance; Human Resources; Information Technology; Internal Audit; Marketing and Communications (& Maryland Sports); Procurement; Public Safety and Security.
The Group oversees matters relating to the Baltimore City Convention Center, the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center (Hippodrome Theatre Complex), the Montgomery County Conference Center, and the Ocean City Convention Center.
Projects that have been completed by the Authority include:
Current projects include:
![[photo, Baltimore Convention Center, West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/25ind/images/i006076a.jpg)
In 1992, certain responsibilities of the Baltimore Convention Center Authority were transferred to the Maryland Stadium Authority.
To enlarge and improve the Baltimore Convention Center, the Maryland Stadium Authority was authorized to begin design and construction or hire a firm for this work (Chapter 400, Acts of 1993). Expansion was completed September 1996, and refurbishment of the original structure in April 1997. Convention Center receipts are deposited in the Baltimore Convention Center Financing Fund.
Baltimore Convention Center, West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, April 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY CONFERENCE CENTER
In 1996, the Authority was empowered to provide for the development and construction of the Montgomery County Conference Center (Chapter 407, Acts of 1996). The Center opened on December 1, 2004. It is located at 5701 Marinelli Road at Rockville Pike in North Bethesda, adjacent to the White Flint Metro station. In December 2017, upon completion of a parking structure adjacent to the Conference Center, Montgomery County requested and the Authority designed, constructed, and completed a pedestrian bridge as well in 2019.
OCEAN CITY CONVENTION CENTER
For the renovation, expansion, and operating costs of the Ocean City Convention Center, the Authority was authorized to issue bonds in 1995 (Chapter 603, Acts of 1995). Also known as the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, its renovation and expansion were completed in the fall of 1997.
The Authority maintains the Ocean City Convention Center Financing Fund and oversees a feasibility study of further Center expansion. In 2019, the General Assembly authorized the Authority to partner with Ocean City to further expand the Center (Chapter 217, Acts of 2019).
Additionally, the Maryland Stadium Authority oversees the construction and revitalization of certain Baltimore City public schools, and the demolition of blighted structures throughout Baltimore City as part of Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise).
Under the Capital Projects Development Group are Projects and Studies, and School Projects.
PROJECTS & STUDIES
SCHOOL PROJECTS
Completed 21st Century Schools include:
BUILT TO LEARN ACT
In October 2021, Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved the Authority issuing a series of bonds in a principal amount not to exceed $520 million, the initial proceeds of which will be used to partially finance the construction of public school facilities in six Maryland counties.
MARYLAND SPORTS
Maryland Sports works to bring regional, national and international sporting events to Maryland. Also, for the National Association of Sports Commissions, Maryland Sports serves as the State's sports commission.
Since February 2021, Maryland Sports also is responsible for administering the Youth and Amateur Sports Grants Program and the Michael Erin Busch Sports Fund (Chapter 33, Acts of 2021; Code Economic Development Article, secs. 10-612.1 and !0-612.2). The purpose of both the Program and the Fund is to bring new youth and amateur sporting events to Maryland, attracting participants, sports fans, and tourists.
The Maryland Stadium Authority may establish affiliated foundations to work with Maryland Sports. Such affiliated foundations are not units of State government or instrumentalities of the State. To promote sports in Maryland, however, they may solicit and receive contributions from businesses, individuals, government entities, and nonprofit organizations (Chapter 575, Acts of 2017; Code Economic Development Article, sec. 10-612).
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At the request of the Governor, General Assembly, or counties and municipalities, the Maryland Stadium Authority's functions have evolved and expanded over the past 35 years to include numerous economic, development and planning studies in addition to many construction projects and programs. To date, the Maryland Stadium Authority has completed $3 billion in projects across the State that were delivered on-time and on-budget. To local officials, Authority studies provide information, not recommendations, to help with investment and benefits decisions for their communities.
PROJECT C.O.R.E.
In January 2016, the Maryland Stadium Authority began overseeing the demolition of blighted structures throughout Baltimore City. Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Renewal and Enterprise) is a partnership between the Authority, Baltimore City, and the Department of Housing and Community Development. Over a period of four years, up to $75 million has been earmarked for demolition, stabilization, and deconstruction of structures. This work constitutes Phase 1 of the Project.
21st CENTURY SCHOOL BUILDINGS PROGRAM
The 21st Century School Buildings Program is a partnership between the Maryland Stadium Authority, Baltimore City Public Schools, the City of Baltimore, and the Interagency Commission on Public School Construction. The Authority’s role is to finance, procure, and build 21st Century schools in communities throughout Baltimore City.
Academy for College and Career Exploration and Independence School (in Robert Poole Building)
Arlington Elementary School
Arundel Elementary
Bay-Brook Elementary/Middle School
Billie Holiday Elementary School
Calvin M. Rodwell Elementary/Middle School
Cherry Hill Elementary/Middle School, Historic
Claremont Middle/High School (in Patterson Building)
Dorothy I. Height Elementary School
Forest Park High School
Fort Worthington Elementary/Middle School
Frederick Elementary School
Govans Elementary School
John Ruhrah Elementary/Middle School
Katherine Johnson Global Academy
Lake Clifton Park Building
Lois T. Murray (in the Walter P. Carter Building)
Mary E. Rodman Elementary School
Medfield Heights Elementary School
Northwood Elementary
Patterson High School
Pimlico Elementary/Middle School
Robert W. Coleman Elementary School
Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle School
Wildwood Elementary/Middle School
By the Built to Learn Act of 2020, the General Assembly authorized the Maryland Stadium Authority to issue up to $2.2 billion in debt for the construction of public school facilities throughout the State (Chapter 20, Acts of 2020).
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP
The Marketing and Communications Group formed in 2013. It is responsible for sports branding, media monitoring, and website and social media content and controls. The Group supports functions of the Public Information Office, public outreach and messaging, and produces the Maryland Stadium Authority's annual report.
In October 2017, Maryland Sports was established by statute (Chapter 575, Acts of 2017).
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e-mail: mdmanual@maryland.gov
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