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MARYLAND STADIUM AUTHORITY

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

[photo, Gate C entrance, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Eutaw St., Baltimore, Maryland] In 1986, the Maryland Stadium Authority was created 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). The stadiums are for professional football and baseball.

Gate C entrance, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Eutaw St., Baltimore, Maryland, July 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

The Authority is a public corporation of Maryland and may issue tax-exempt bonds for financing its operations. Proceeds from the sale of Authority bonds and revenues collected or received from any other source, including a tax on gate receipts at Oriole Park, are deposited in the Maryland Stadium Authority Financing Fund. The Fund is a revolving fund for carrying out the purposes of the Authority.

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.

The Authority expects to complete its work on repairs to Camden Station (Baltimore) in May 2005. Projects that have been completed include University Commons at University of Maryland Baltimore County (opened January 28, 2002); Comcast Center at University of Maryland, College Park (opened October 2002); the Sports Complex at Towson University (completed March 2003); Veterans Memorial at the Sports Complex at Camden Yards (dedicated May 26, 2003) and Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen (opened June 18, 2003).

The Authority consists of seven members who serve four-year terms. Six are appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent. One is chosen by the Mayor of Baltimore with Senate advice and consent. The Governor names the chair. With the Governor's approval, the Authority appoints the Executive Director (Code Financial Institutions Article, secs. 13-701 through 13-722).

Sports Stadiums. The Authority selected the site of Camden Yards in downtown Baltimore 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, a baseball park that opened April 6, 1992. The Authority also managed Memorial Stadium (former home of the Baltimore Orioles) for the use of the Ravens, the National Football League team, in 1996-97. In the sports complex at Camden Yards, the Ravens' new home opened September 6, 1998. Originally called PSINet Stadium, the field was called Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards from February 28, 2002 until May 6, 2003. It was renamed M & T Bank Stadium on May 6, 2003.

Located at 33rd Street in northeast Baltimore, Memorial Stadium had been vacant since the Ravens' move. Demolition of Memorial Stadium began in 2001 and was completed on February 15, 2002.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

[photo, Baltimore City Convention Center, West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland] BALTIMORE CITY CONVENTION CENTER
In 1992, certain responsibilities of the Baltimore Convention Center Authority were transferred to the Maryland Stadium Authority. To enlarge and improve the Baltimore City 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. The Center is located at 100 West Pratt Street. Convention Center receipts are deposited in the Baltimore Convention Center Financing Fund.

Baltimore City Convention Center, West Pratt St., Baltimore, Maryland, April 2001. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

FRANCE-MERRICK PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (HIPPODROME THEATRE COMPLEX)
The Authority oversaw the design and construction of the Hippodrome Theatre and the buildings adjacent to it. Located at 12 North Eutaw St. in Baltimore, the Complex was named the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center in June 2003. The Hippodrome Theatre opened on February 10, 2004.

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.

OCEAN CITY CONVENTION CENTER
The Authority was authorized to issue bonds for the renovation, expansion, and operating costs of the Ocean City Convention Center in 1995 (Chapter 603, Acts of 1995). The Center also is known as the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Renovation and expansion were completed in the fall of 1997. The Authority also maintains the Ocean City Convention Center Financing Fund and is overseeing a feasibility study of further expansion of the Center.

SOUTHERN MARYLAND BASEBALL STADIUM
In May 2004, the Authority agreed to assist the Charles County Economic Development Commission with the design of a multi-use minor league baseball stadium in Southern Maryland. If funded, the 5000-seat stadium would be built in Hughesville and take two to three years to complete.

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