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'Torn Down And Redone' | Mayor Jack Young Reacts To Uncertainty Of Harborplace's Future

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The future of the Harborplace is up in the air.

Baltimore's crown jewel retail space is in receivership with no concrete plan for what happens next.

Baltimore City Mayor Jack Young called the future of the Harborplace a shocker but said that he knows what he'd like to see happen.

"As you know, Harborplace is a very important part of Baltimore," Young said. "Not only for our tourism but also for our citizens who want to come and visit down in the Inner Harbor. I was totally shocked, I can tell you that."

The pavilions had been undergoing renovation for quite a while- too long for too many businesses who eventually moved out.

With fewer tenants and less money, payments were missed and a Baltimore Circuit Court Judge appointed a receiver to take control which opened the way for sale.

The Waterfront Partnership sees promise in a new owner.

"We're actually pleased to hear about the receivership of the Harborplace because it means there's some action being taken," Laurie Schwartz, of the Waterfront Partnership, said. "For too long Harborplace has been on a decline. There have been more tenants that have left. It hasn't held the strength that it used to hold and we expect it to hold."

Mayor Young has tough standards for the Harborplace.

"I would like to see it torn down and re-done, that would be my preference," Mayor Young said.

The City of Baltimore owns the land, but not the buildings. Mayor Young said that the Baltimore Development Corp. (BDC) is on the case.

"I'm quite sure BDC will try to reach out to them to try to figure out what's going on and what's the next steps," Young said.

A request for comment by the receiver has not been answered.

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