New Waterfront Park Planned At Former Power Plant In Baltimore County

BOWLEYS QUARTERS, MD - Baltimore County plans to open a park in Bowleys Quarters at the site of a demolished power plant.

County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced the plans Monday.

The deal isn't done, however. Baltimore County only signed a letter of intent with the landowner. Negotiations on the final sale price are now underway.

"I am proud of the ways in which our administration is preserving cherished open space and creating new parks and recreational opportunities – a core component of our ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for all Baltimore County residents," Olszewski said in a press release. "I applaud Councilman Marks and the Bowleys Quarters Improvement Association for their advocacy on behalf of this historic waterfront property along Seneca Creek, which we believe can and should be enjoyed by the community for generations to come."

The county plans to buy "considerable portions" of the 153-acre former Charles P. Crane generating station.

County Council Member David Marks cheered the news, saying it will protect the waterfront from heavy development.

"I would like to thank the Olszewski administration for moving forward with this critical land acquisition in Baltimore County, and I would like to acknowledge all our elected officials and community leaders for their support," Marks said in the release. "This will not only preserve one of the most beautiful waterfront regions on the Eastside, but will lighten potential traffic and other activity along Eastern Avenue."

The county plans to purchase the site with money from Maryland Program Open Space, a parkland fund from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The current owner plans to keep some of the land and is considering redevelopment for "low impact uses that support the resiliency of the regional power grid."

"Additional infrastructure is critical to broader efforts to provide for reliable power to the region as the usage of renewable energy is increased, and will advance County efforts to help the State of Maryland reach its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030," the release said.

The 400-megawatt coal plant closed in 2018. The current owner, Forsite, bought the plant in 2021.

The power plant was demolished a year later.

Boaters used the two red and white smoke stacks as navigational markers for years. Captains gathered to watch their planned implosion on Aug. 19, 2022, with dozens of boats dropping anchor in Seneca Ceek.

Forsite has been performing environmental remediation with the Maryland Department of Environment since its purchase.

"Forsite Development specializes in remediating, repurposing and redeveloping Industrial Real Estate including Coal-Fired Power Plants. During any redevelopment, we strive to find the highest and brightest use for the facility," Forsite Chief Operating Officer Ryan Ford said in the release. "I would like to acknowledge the local communities and Councilman David Marks for their willingness to discuss the future use of the Charles P. Crane facility for its redevelopment as a park and a future, low-traffic use. I also would like to thank the Olszewski administration for its hard work and support of this transaction that will provide for the property to transform from a coal-fired power plant to that of preserved, waterfront open-space to be enjoyed by generations of Baltimore County residents and infrastructure that will contribute to the renewable energy goals of Baltimore County."