Baltimore Co. Officials Consider Ways To Develop Sparrows Point

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Hundreds of acres of waterfront land sit idle in Baltimore County. Now a task force will look at new ways to develop Sparrows Point.

Adam May reports the plan could create a lot of jobs.

Thousands of people used to work in the steel mills and shipyards at Sparrows Point. One of the last factories, RG Steel, is the latest to go idle. Almost 2,000 workers could be laid off starting June 4.

Now volunteers from government and the steel and shipping industry are planning for the future.

"If RG Steel makes the decision they're not going to continue in the area, then we're gonna work to find an owner who can make a go at it," said Kevin Kamenetz, Baltimore County Executive.

The group will look at numerous redevelopment ideas for Sparrows Point and the surrounding area. One could include expanding the Port of Baltimore to attract ships from the Panama Canal after it's enlarged in 2014.

"It already has a deep channel port, it already offers access land, it's already industrially zoned," Kamenetz said.

Super-sized cranes are already on order for the port, making Baltimore one of two places on the East Coast that can handle the new mega-ships expected from Panama.

The redevelopment plans should be complete by the beginning of 2013.

The commission will also look at environmental and infrastructure improvements.