Amtrak has narrowed the field to three teams that will compete to be selected as Master Developer for commercial elements of Baltimore Penn Station and surrounding Amtrak-owned properties.

Several firms responded to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and the following are those that have been shortlisted:

• Brandywine Realty Trust: Brandywine Realty Trust, Pinkard Properties, Perkins Eastman, Ayers Saint Gross, ARUP, Clark Construction, Madison Marquette, Langan Engineering and Environmental Services
• Peebles-AZ Baltimore Penn: The Peebles Corporation, AZ Group, MacFarlane Partner, Consolidated Contractors Group SAL, AECOM Technical Services Inc., Morganti Group, Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners, Lewis Contractors, Williams Jackson Ewing (WJE), Marks Thomas
• Penn Station Partners: Beatty Development Group, Armada Hoffler Properties, Cross Street Partners, Gensler, HR&A, JLL, Mace, Network Rail Consulting, Stifel, WSP | PB.

Amtrak leaders worked closely with the City of Baltimore, State of Maryland, local anchor institutions and neighborhood partners to review the responses to the RFQs and to select those teams considered capable of all aspects of project delivery.

The scope of the Master Developer would include an implementable Master Plan, design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of non-rail assets at Baltimore Penn Station, as well as expansion opportunities and commercial development of the surrounding Amtrak owned properties. Any development solution envisioned by the selected proposer will need to align with Amtrak operational goals, and continue Amtrak’s ongoing engagement with the community to ensure successful integration with the surrounding neighborhoods.

Ten months ago, Amtrak sought input from local, regional and national developers who expressed interest in the opportunity to redevelop the Amtrak-owned station and surrounding land parcels, as well as improve both passenger and employee facilities. Industry response helped to inform the process to solicit a Master Developer, with responses to an RFQ submitted in October.

The next steps will be to issue a Request for Proposals to the three short-listed teams, evaluate responses, and select a preferred Master Developer in summer 2017.

Bart Bush, Amtrak Vice President, Asset and Real Estate Development said:

“We are inspired to see this competitive process attract some of the most capable and visionary firms in the development industry, complete with the financial backing to execute a bold transformation for Amtrak and the City of Baltimore. We look forward to working closely with the developers in the coming months, bringing us one step closer to realizing the vision of Baltimore Penn Station as a world-class transportation facility for years to come.”

Congressman Elijah E. Cummings said:

“I welcome the announcement that three world-class development teams will be invited to offer their visions for revitalizing Penn Station. These teams bring the resources and expertise that will be essential to transforming Penn Station and I am excited to see their ideas and proposals as the selection process moves into the next phase.”

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said: 

“After working closely with my administration to reimagine how Penn Station can be a catalyst for growth in Central Baltimore, I am excited that Amtrak has reached this milestone in shortlisting three highly-qualified teams. I look forward to the final stage of selecting a team to transform the station and surrounding properties into a modern transit-oriented development reflective of the great renaissance Baltimore is undergoing.”